Think moving to a big city is a simple way to escape “nature“? Well, you might want to think again! Humans have a tendency to think we can outsmart the natural world by paving away mud, and constructing concrete and metal buildings with airtight windows to keep out “wild animals.” But, nature has a funny way of telling us – or rather showing us – that we’re not as clever as we might think.

In the modern world, the wilderness has become the antithesis of civilization. After all, it wouldn’t be very “civilized” of us to live in the woods and make houses out of leaves and rocks! But, for every brick we lay to block out nature and claim our own domination of this strange “other” world, nature fights back.

Given the damage we’ve done to the planet over the past thousand years or so, nature could use a win. So let’s celebrate some awesome times when nature showed us precisely how it feels about our “civilization.”

Think your car will help you escape nature … think again.

This Is What it Looks Like When Nature Fights Back Against CivilizationCarsinbarns.com

We can fight all we want, but nature knows peace is best.

This Is What it Looks Like When Nature Fights Back Against Civilization

Now this is what we call a mega-win.

This Is What it Looks Like When Nature Fights Back Against Civilization

And they were like, “Yeah! Let’s build a warehouse next to the ocean … what’s the worst that could happen … *scoff*” 

This Is What it Looks Like When Nature Fights Back Against CivilizationEnglishRussia

You might want to reconsider leaving your house unattended when you go on vacation.

This Is What it Looks Like When Nature Fights Back Against CivilizationMatthias Haker

Miracle Grow? This tree prefers sheer power.

This Is What it Looks Like When Nature Fights Back Against CivilizationSeattle.gov

Sometimes you need a little more space that a tiny square of dirt. You definitely don’t want to text while walking in this walkway!

This Is What it Looks Like When Nature Fights Back Against CivilizationImgur

This is what we call an all-out rebellion against “landscaping.”

This Is What it Looks Like When Nature Fights Back Against CivilizationArt 21

Some people say we treat the natural world like the toilet of civilization. Oh, the irony!

This Is What it Looks Like When Nature Fights Back Against CivilizationA.J. Arend

Some people enjoy looking at trees outside their windows. This tree is just making it easier for everyone involved.

This Is What it Looks Like When Nature Fights Back Against CivilizationKnibbdesign.com

Which came first: the building or the tree?

This Is What it Looks Like When Nature Fights Back Against CivilizationWikimedia Commons

You say abandoned diving cage; nature says “home.”

This Is What it Looks Like When Nature Fights Back Against CivilizationBiology Biozine

You can build up as high as you like; with the help of photosynthesis, these plants will make it to the top.

This Is What it Looks Like When Nature Fights Back Against CivilizationBored Panda