“I say, beware of all enterprises that require new clothes…” Walden, Henry David Thoreau

“Live your life. Do your work. Then take your hat.” -“Conscience,” Henry David Thoreau

One Republic’s song “Good Life” talks about living life to the fullest and not let the bad things in life get to you.You have to trust what you think and not what other not so good examples are trying to get to you.I think the song 'Secrets" by One Republic fits Transcendentalism well too. Some of the lyrics are; "But I don't really like my flow, no, so Tell me what you want to hear Something that will light those ears Sick of all the insincere So I'm gonna give all my secrets away This time, don't need another perfect lie Don't care if critics ever jump in line I'm gonna give all my secrets away" These lyrics are saying to tell others what they want to hear and not to be yourself. Transcendentalism is about not meeting 'society's expectations'. Trying to fit in with everyone else is not being who you are, which is what this song explains. The lyrics also tell you that you shouldn't care if people criticize you, you should say what you want to say.

“In the woods we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life - no disgrace, no calamity…” “Nature” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nature was extremely important to the Transcendentalist and they believed that it should be our teacher. Therefore they believed that spending alone time in nature played a big role in "finding yourself". Instead of going to church, transcendentalists would go spend time in nature by themselves to have alone time with God and develop a more personal relationship with Him. The movie, "Avatar" is a fantastic example of showing the importance of nature through pop culture. The avatar develops a connection to nature and becomes one with the flying pandora. This bond between the avatar and the pandora is also a spiritual connection as they can communicate without having to say anything. This shows the importance of nature because the avatar is able to become one with nature and use that connection to help him fight against the humans that are trying to take over the land belonging to the avatars. The movie Avatar also shows the importance of nature because throughout, they rely on nature for everyday survival and for fighting against the intruders. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "When nature has work to be done, she creates a genius to do it". This is a great quote for relating the importance of nature in transcendentalism to this movie because the avatars found their wisdom and strength to fight by becoming one with nature.

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” -Walden, Henry David Thoreau

Steve Jobs pursued his dreams and his products have become household items.He was told he was crazy for thinking things like the ‘ipod’ or ‘ipad’ could actually exist/work.He proved them wrong by creating those ‘impossible’ pieces of technology.

“That man is rich whose pleasures are the cheapest.” - “Journals 1856,” Henry David Thoreau

The Amish are a good example of simplified life,because they don’t believe in the use of new technology.They separate themselves from society and practice their religion & live away from the busy cities of Urban America.