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

1. 97

   peeplesposted 10 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. 71

   JG11Bravoposted 10 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.

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3. 39

   ChristinSposted 10 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 .

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4. 85

   peachpurpleposted 10 years ago

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

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5. 0

   JThomp42posted 10 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.

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6. 79

   Relationshipcposted 10 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.

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7. 79

   CuAllaidhposted 10 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.

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   1. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That is my recollection and it was a derogatory term.

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