Why does the term "tree hugger" have a bad view by many?

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  1. peeples profile image93
    peeplesposted 9 years ago

    Why does the term "tree hugger" have a bad view by many?

    It seems that "tree hugger" is a bad thing to many. Why? Is it not good to care about our environment, to give appreciation to all forms of life, to want our land (trees which keep us alive) healthy? Why are these things seen as bad?

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  2. JG11Bravo profile image72
    JG11Bravoposted 9 years ago

    It conjures images of full-blown, drug-addled hippies rolling around in a public park or at a music festival, I suspect.  It's a term with negative connotations originally designed to be derogatory, like so many others.  I'd give examples, but I'm a bit too polite to start rattling off unfounded racial, sexual, or religious slang terms.

    My field of study (the official one, anyway, that entails a degree) is environmental conservation and forestry, so I've heard the term a time or two myself.

  3. ChristinS profile image38
    ChristinSposted 9 years ago

    I really don't know.  I think it's a way for people who really can't be bothered to just disregard others.  I have been called this and "hippie" and all sorts of other things as though it should be insulting.  Far from it in my eyes.  Bring it on.  I'd rather be a tree hugging, pacifist hippie than a lot of other things I can think of smile.

  4. peachpurple profile image81
    peachpurpleposted 9 years ago

    i thought a tree hugger is a good one! It should be keep plants and trees alive, right?

  5. profile image0
    JThomp42posted 9 years ago

    I think it originates from liberalism that leans far, far to the left. The term "tree hugging liberal" probably refers to people who want to conserve our land instead of drilling for oil, natural gas, etc. When I hear this term, I think of a nature loving person who does not want our resources bothered.

  6. Relationshipc profile image87
    Relationshipcposted 9 years ago

    After spending a day with an older man who hates everything outside of his comfort zone, I can say that many people probably just feel uncomfortable thinking about earth's problems and the people who are trying to do something about it.

    It is much more comfortable to sit blindly in life and be mad at people who think outside of the box. Or, put them down and make fun of them.

    Moreover, a lot of people choose to believe stories that they hear from the news or powerful companies, and get mad when someone (like a person who is trying to keep the Earth healthy) contradicts their beliefs.

    Lastly, a lot people think hippies are stupid and clueless, and because one person calls them dumb, other brainless sheep have to call them dumb as well, or they risk stepping outside of general opinion.

    In short, because of ignorance and stupidity.

  7. CuAllaidh profile image80
    CuAllaidhposted 9 years ago

    Tree huggers were protesters who tried to stop forestry workers from cutting down trees by chaining themselves to trees, even after the chains were cut they'd often hug the tree to keep from being removed. Harmless in and of itself but often they would spike the trees as well which could and did kill many loggers. Now the term is used for any environmentalist, but initially it was reserved for these dangerous extremists.

    1. Ericdierker profile image44
      Ericdierkerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That is my recollection and it was a derogatory term.

 
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