Known for publicity-attracting acts of “eco-tage” or “monkey-wrenching,” Earth First! takes direct action, under the credo “no compromise in defense of mother Earth!,” against destructive environmental practices. Earth First! attracts not only hippies, who are drawn to its deep ecology message of biocentric equality and personal selfrealization, but also western rednecks who wish to recapture cowboy mythology in the face of rapid western industrial development. Although most Americans disapprove of monkey-wrenching— especially when humans are injured—the radical positions of Earth First! make mainstream environmental groups appear very moderate and reasonable.