ON THE FIRELINE DISCUSSION

1. How is the USFS an institution in the lives of the wildland firefighters? According to Desmond, the USFS exploits country masculinity to keep the firefighters returning to this institution and the work every year. What does he mean by this, and do you agree/disagree with his argument? Why/why not? 

2. What is your "big take-away" from Desmond's book, as it relates to masculinity, risk and institutions in our society? How might Desmond's arguments relate to your own experiences of being embedded in institutions in your own life? 

400 words for each question, and two responses each