What is authenticity?

No matter the number of times I chomp on this question, am still left with yet another question: Does it matter? Conservation biology is the careful science of conserving ecosystems. But aren't they ever-changing? This is always the argument against "global warming" but there is some sense in it when cynicism creeps up my pant legs. When a hopeless day has dragged on and I can't even count the number of faces I've seen, I turn to this unsettling thought and drag myself even deeper into the mud of my mind. We are feeding the change and accelerating it, the scientists say, shaking their hypocritical fingers in faces. Live in a city, and give in to the demons that started it all. Live in the suburbs, and give in to comfort and the convenience of cars. Live in the bush, and you are criticized for hunting the land you are made of because someone has endangered the species. There is no winning side and no end to criticism. Why does authenticity matter when it mean something different to each person, and nothing to nature. Ask a city dweller what the think authentic nature is and they will give you some idealized vision of beauty, peace and quiet-- the things they miss in their lives. Ask the same thing to a kin of the country and she will tell you exciting stories about handling nature with machines, stories about getting dirty, stories that will make you cringe with fear at the power of nature. Again, what is authenticity?