Eigner's simple, understated tone suggests that anyone can adapt to dumpster diving with a little practice. Why do you think he uses such a tone?

a) To highlight the exclusivity and difficulty of dumpster diving.
b) To discourage people from attempting dumpster diving.
c) To emphasize the accessibility and practicality of dumpster diving as a skill.
d) To criticize the activity of dumpster diving.

Eigner's use of a simple, understated tone in discussing dumpster diving likely serves to emphasize its accessibility and practicality as a survival skill, rather than criticizing or highlighting its exclusivity. The tone aligns with themes of adaptability, resilience, and human ingenuity in the face of adversity, encouraging a normalized view of unconventional survival strategies.

Explanation:

The understated tone used by Eigner in discussing dumpster diving can be discerned from the context of various texts and authorial intentions, which often illuminate the practical aspects of survival and adaptation in society. Eigner's tone likely aims to convey dumpster diving as a skill that, with some practice, is highly accessible and practical. This clear, understated demeanor can be interpreted as a means to normalize an activity that could otherwise be seen as unconventional or even looked down upon. Instead of highlighting exclusivity or criticizing the activity, the tone used seems to suggest that it is a skillful art form, one that anyone can adopt given the willingness to adapt and learn. It aligns with the overarching theme seen in cultural and environmental studies where human ingenuity and resilience are celebrated in the face of challenging circumstances.

Examples provided in different texts regarding material culture, environmental history, and human behavior, draw attention to the way individuals and societies adapt and survive using the resources available to them. Whether it is through recycling, minimizing waste, or finding creative means to survive in dire situations, the adaptation strategies reflect a broader commentary on human behavior and consumption. Eigner, through his tone, could very well be emphasizing the importance of not underestimating the possibilities of innovative survival strategies like dumpster diving, which, in turn, could reflect a person's ability to adapt creatively and with agility to their environment.

This notion of adaptability and practicality also resonates with the way societies evolve in their approaches to consumption and waste. It underscores the ever-changing definition of 'normal' behavior, how people strive to meet their basic needs and beyond, and how cultural and environmental narratives shape our collective attitudes towards activities like dumpster diving.