Exploring Next Nature

In this paper, we explore and redefine our notion of nature. We will argue that our current common view on ‘nature’ needs reconsideration. The notions of nature and culture seem to be trading places. Nature, in the sense of trees, plants, animals, atoms, or climate, is getting increasingly controlled and governed by man. It has turned into a cultural category. At the same time, products of culture, which we used to be in control of man, tend to outgrow us and become autonomous. The ‘natural powers’ seem to shift to another field. Nature changes along with us. We propose the term ‘next nature’ for this culturally emerged nature. Next nature is real nature, no representation, or a simulation of some long-lost phenomenon.