
Exploring the Natural Underground
A New Sociology of Caving
Kevin Bingham(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 28. November 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-1-032-29477-3 (ISBN)
Description
This book explores the enigmatic world of the natural underground, viewing it as a site of leisure and a primary sphere of anthropotechnics. It reshapes the old language of caving into new ideas that broaden the possibilities of the sociology of caving.
After outlining a novel methodological approach that can be used to understand new leisure trends and cultures in present modernity, Exploring the Natural Underground offers a comprehensive investigation of the societal context in which caving takes place. Thereafter, it goes on to argue that the natural underground can be used as a means of escaping some of the unavoidable influences of consumer capitalism in the way that it stimulates imaginations, senses and emotions differently.
Marking a turning point in the way that the natural underground is understood and the degree to which sensory dimensions of leisure are valued, this book will appeal to anybody interested in caving, as well as scholars and students of leisure studies, the sociology of leisure, the ethnography of leisure and human geography.
After outlining a novel methodological approach that can be used to understand new leisure trends and cultures in present modernity, Exploring the Natural Underground offers a comprehensive investigation of the societal context in which caving takes place. Thereafter, it goes on to argue that the natural underground can be used as a means of escaping some of the unavoidable influences of consumer capitalism in the way that it stimulates imaginations, senses and emotions differently.
Marking a turning point in the way that the natural underground is understood and the degree to which sensory dimensions of leisure are valued, this book will appeal to anybody interested in caving, as well as scholars and students of leisure studies, the sociology of leisure, the ethnography of leisure and human geography.
Reviews / Votes
'In Exploring the Natural Underground, Bingham examines the transformative power of dreaming, accessing, and exploring the hidden dimensions of our Earth. Deeply contemplative and philosophical, this book is about the power of hidden dimensions which inspire new ways of living, being, and imagining, together. It is an "existential leap" indeed.'Maria Alejandra Perez, West Virginia University, USA
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Academic, Postgraduate, and Undergraduate Advanced
Illustrations
15 s/w Abbildungen, 15 s/w Photographien bzw. Rasterbilder
15 Halftones, black and white; 15 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
278 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-29477-3 (9781032294773)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
06/2023
1st Edition
Routledge
€205.90
Shipment within 10-20 days

E-Book
06/2023
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download

E-Book
06/2023
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Person
Kevin Bingham is Higher Education Lecturer in the Department of Service Industries at Barnsley College in the United Kingdom. He has published in the fields of leisure studies, sport and sociology.
Content
1 Introduction: First Encounters with the Kingdom of the Dark
2 Descenders, Static Line and Some Methodological Considerations: Choosing 'Tackle' for the Job
3 The Underside of Modernity
4 The Poetics of Caving: Rediscovering Intimate Things
5 Unsilencing Fear in the Natural Underground
6 Life and Death Underground: Mortality, Immortality and Other Survival Strategies
7 An Uncommercial Traveller's Guide to the Art of Sublimation
8 Journeying to the End and Back: Reaching a Choke
2 Descenders, Static Line and Some Methodological Considerations: Choosing 'Tackle' for the Job
3 The Underside of Modernity
4 The Poetics of Caving: Rediscovering Intimate Things
5 Unsilencing Fear in the Natural Underground
6 Life and Death Underground: Mortality, Immortality and Other Survival Strategies
7 An Uncommercial Traveller's Guide to the Art of Sublimation
8 Journeying to the End and Back: Reaching a Choke