Sounds like you enjoyed a fine time! The stream in the picture is itself a contradiction. What appears as a flow of clear water emanates from a swamp. Our minds might conjure up stagnant, foul-smelling water. Muck hardly suggests clear water. Rotting trees, perhaps even croaked critters, doesn’t help. But Nature’s patient pace allows for precipitation of sediment, oxygenation to allow decomposition, and filtration as the water makes its way to the stream bed.
As is the case for me, lack of information leads to unsupported assumptions and conclusions. That segues nicely with your question, Gail, if humans are part of nature. Have we lost our connections with the earth? Sleeping in light-filled cities wrecks our circadian rhythms. Awareness of wildlife is harder to come by today than it’s ever been. Perhaps we are apart from Nature?
Please visit more places of natural wonder! Pretty please! I think we’d all benefit. But hurry before the black flies arrive! 😱 CURE!
Hmmm... Apart from or a part of nature? My question grows into... When humans use their curiosity and creativity to build things (like cities) that seem un-natural... Is that still nature? Are anthills nature?
I'm with Socrates who said something like, True wisdom is recognizing you (I) know nothing. 😂
I love that I learned a new word today! How fun. Also, humans are walking, talking contradictions. With 60,000 thoughts swirling in our minds every day, many (most) probably contradict one another. What a beautiful mess we are.💕
Looks so peaceful here. We have several places here Baton Rouge area that look like this. Some of our places have alligators, huge turtles, birds and snakes but still peaceful to sit for awhile to contemplate life. Glad you had a great weekend. Now praying for good news at treatment time. More hugs.
The landscape is so inviting... I find great joy and peace among trees and water. As for your question, "Are humans part of nature?" In my opinion no. We should be honored to be able to enjoy nature. Nature is a collaboration of plants, trees, insects, and animals. Nature tries to survive in it's own special way. Humans many times don't appreciate the enjoyment of nature and just want to destroy it. I know that humans need growth but sometimes it saddens me to see so much nature destroyed so humans can grow. Just my thoughts.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Pennie! Humans do seem to have a knack for conquering and overcoming the natural world... and yet, who am I to say that's wrong? I'm delighted to live in a house with plumbing and electricity.
I started watching a new series on Netflix about National parks. The videography and scenery is amazing. Is it possible the we can continue to build and create in unison with nature? There are people exploring such opportunities?
In 1968 I heard the phrase “Zero Population Growth” for the first time. Earth had about 3.53 billion humans at that time. The ZPG scientists already foresaw that if population growth remained unchecked, our extra heads would exceed Earth’s capacity to have enough top soil, clean water, and clean air. I think 6 billion was max population. Now we are nearing 8 billion. At no point have the world’s populations collectively tried to limit growth rates. China tried 1 child per family but relented to the economics of growing a larger workforce.
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. would observe: “And so it goes.” A phrase he often added after the demise of a character... Probably works for ecosystems, too.
I just read now that experts offer maximum sustainable populations ranging from 500 million to 3 billion.
I’m not sure that this reply is helpful or even directly related, but…
The first thing that came to mind is a talk I listened to by Maya Angelou. In it she referenced her grandmother who once told her, “Baby, Just do what’s right. You know what’s right.”
What this brings to mind for me is introspection… the quiet little voice inside that guides us aright. We are so conditioned to look for outside validation and recognition that we step away from what might be right (for us)toward what is popular?
Still with Socrates… Keeping faith that the great mystery/wisdom is much better equipped to run the world than me. 🤷♀️
Thanks, Gail. Who knew an image from a cedar swamp could facilitate this conversation?! Superstition and mythology were once guiding “truths.” Science has proposed alternate explanations and that’s the basis of my thoughts on Earth. We spoke recently about the evolutionary record indicating spiders first appeared 300-400,000,000 years ago. We humans on the other hand, Homo sapiens, have fossils dating back 300,000 years. Forerunners’ oldest remains date back 750,000 years. Some very old approximations date to almost 2,000,000 y.a.
I cite these dates to say Earth’s ecosystems and key constituents vastly predate humans’ arrival. As human population has brought this pale blue dot to the breaking point (we’re in the midst of a large, growing mass extinction event), “thinkers” look at colonizing Mars as one way to ensure humanity’s existence! How nutzo!! If I was told, “Board this last rocket to Mars if you want to live,” I’d choose staying behind...
Still, we “Johnny-come-lately” humans are deciding the fate of the Earth’s primary ecosystems. Is that ours to do? Is it even fair play if we consider all the collective lives of other species being doomed by our inactions? I used to see bumper stickers with “Think globally. Act locally.” Don’t buy fresh fruit from Australia when we’re in the midst of our wintertime. Some propose buying only foods that are grown within 200-300 miles from our homes! A sacrifice? An Earth is a terrible thing to waste.
Jimmy Carter was mocked for wanting folks to raise home thermostats in summer, and lower them in winter. How dare he try to override free will! I fear our inner knowing right from wrong is in need of a major overhaul. Maybe by September?
Let me check my calendar... ahhhh, yes! September seems just about perfect. :)
Teasing aside, I simply lack enough science knowledge to add anything of worth to what you have shared. There is something to be said for awareness of cause and effect? We have learned that eating sugary processed foods leads to obesity? Spraying crops and yards with fertilizers and pesticides correlates with algae laden streams and rivers? Busy families trying to get their kids to school, sports, and piano have no time to consider whether or not to buy juice pouches or boxes... They buy whatever is on sale?
In Flourishing Fictions, one story touches on an inability for our limited human minds to predict the future. Norman Borlaug hybridized wheat? Corn? In The Butterfly Effect, author Andy Andrews points to the chain of events that led to Norman's life and work. He points to millions of lives being saved from starvation. Today we have a scientific bend toward eliminating GMOs? Was Norman's work good, or bad? How can we know with the scope of what we can see?
I'm with you on sticking it out here on earth... come what may.
I believe we ARE nature. Every look at the rings on a tree? Like our fingerprints no two alike. They release oxogen so we can breathe. They also store our carbon dioxide.
We need the sun it’s full of vitamins C and D- without it we can literally wither like a flower in the scorching heat.
When we get bitten by a bee we can use mud to bring down the swelling.
We are mostly made up of water. When we sweat it’s salty like the sea.
When you feel anxiety you can walk barefoot on the earth to feel grounded because we are connected.
God created us in his imagine - he’s nature and all around us.
Sounds like you enjoyed a fine time! The stream in the picture is itself a contradiction. What appears as a flow of clear water emanates from a swamp. Our minds might conjure up stagnant, foul-smelling water. Muck hardly suggests clear water. Rotting trees, perhaps even croaked critters, doesn’t help. But Nature’s patient pace allows for precipitation of sediment, oxygenation to allow decomposition, and filtration as the water makes its way to the stream bed.
As is the case for me, lack of information leads to unsupported assumptions and conclusions. That segues nicely with your question, Gail, if humans are part of nature. Have we lost our connections with the earth? Sleeping in light-filled cities wrecks our circadian rhythms. Awareness of wildlife is harder to come by today than it’s ever been. Perhaps we are apart from Nature?
Please visit more places of natural wonder! Pretty please! I think we’d all benefit. But hurry before the black flies arrive! 😱 CURE!
And mosquitoes! Don't forget the mosquitoes. :)
Hmmm... Apart from or a part of nature? My question grows into... When humans use their curiosity and creativity to build things (like cities) that seem un-natural... Is that still nature? Are anthills nature?
I'm with Socrates who said something like, True wisdom is recognizing you (I) know nothing. 😂
I love that I learned a new word today! How fun. Also, humans are walking, talking contradictions. With 60,000 thoughts swirling in our minds every day, many (most) probably contradict one another. What a beautiful mess we are.💕
hahaha! Beautiful mess... Is that a gainsay? Oxymoron?
Looks so peaceful here. We have several places here Baton Rouge area that look like this. Some of our places have alligators, huge turtles, birds and snakes but still peaceful to sit for awhile to contemplate life. Glad you had a great weekend. Now praying for good news at treatment time. More hugs.
Thanks Margaret! Thursdays now feel like gambling. One never knows what's going to happen. I'm trying to simply roll with it.
And doing so splendidly! 😁
Sign: “I’m beginning to think for some of you, the wheels on your bus do not go round and round.” 😁
I like the photo of the bench next to the swamp, but will we get to see Calliope's pine tree drawing?
"I felt as if marijuana, whiskey, and wine are in a playoff game with addiction support services.” 💚
Pot must be legal in Michigan? There was abundant signage and shopping opportunity!
Yes! Drawing tomorrow.
The landscape is so inviting... I find great joy and peace among trees and water. As for your question, "Are humans part of nature?" In my opinion no. We should be honored to be able to enjoy nature. Nature is a collaboration of plants, trees, insects, and animals. Nature tries to survive in it's own special way. Humans many times don't appreciate the enjoyment of nature and just want to destroy it. I know that humans need growth but sometimes it saddens me to see so much nature destroyed so humans can grow. Just my thoughts.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Pennie! Humans do seem to have a knack for conquering and overcoming the natural world... and yet, who am I to say that's wrong? I'm delighted to live in a house with plumbing and electricity.
I started watching a new series on Netflix about National parks. The videography and scenery is amazing. Is it possible the we can continue to build and create in unison with nature? There are people exploring such opportunities?
In 1968 I heard the phrase “Zero Population Growth” for the first time. Earth had about 3.53 billion humans at that time. The ZPG scientists already foresaw that if population growth remained unchecked, our extra heads would exceed Earth’s capacity to have enough top soil, clean water, and clean air. I think 6 billion was max population. Now we are nearing 8 billion. At no point have the world’s populations collectively tried to limit growth rates. China tried 1 child per family but relented to the economics of growing a larger workforce.
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. would observe: “And so it goes.” A phrase he often added after the demise of a character... Probably works for ecosystems, too.
I just read now that experts offer maximum sustainable populations ranging from 500 million to 3 billion.
“Houston, we have a problem.”
I’m not sure that this reply is helpful or even directly related, but…
The first thing that came to mind is a talk I listened to by Maya Angelou. In it she referenced her grandmother who once told her, “Baby, Just do what’s right. You know what’s right.”
What this brings to mind for me is introspection… the quiet little voice inside that guides us aright. We are so conditioned to look for outside validation and recognition that we step away from what might be right (for us)toward what is popular?
Still with Socrates… Keeping faith that the great mystery/wisdom is much better equipped to run the world than me. 🤷♀️
Thanks, Gail. Who knew an image from a cedar swamp could facilitate this conversation?! Superstition and mythology were once guiding “truths.” Science has proposed alternate explanations and that’s the basis of my thoughts on Earth. We spoke recently about the evolutionary record indicating spiders first appeared 300-400,000,000 years ago. We humans on the other hand, Homo sapiens, have fossils dating back 300,000 years. Forerunners’ oldest remains date back 750,000 years. Some very old approximations date to almost 2,000,000 y.a.
I cite these dates to say Earth’s ecosystems and key constituents vastly predate humans’ arrival. As human population has brought this pale blue dot to the breaking point (we’re in the midst of a large, growing mass extinction event), “thinkers” look at colonizing Mars as one way to ensure humanity’s existence! How nutzo!! If I was told, “Board this last rocket to Mars if you want to live,” I’d choose staying behind...
Still, we “Johnny-come-lately” humans are deciding the fate of the Earth’s primary ecosystems. Is that ours to do? Is it even fair play if we consider all the collective lives of other species being doomed by our inactions? I used to see bumper stickers with “Think globally. Act locally.” Don’t buy fresh fruit from Australia when we’re in the midst of our wintertime. Some propose buying only foods that are grown within 200-300 miles from our homes! A sacrifice? An Earth is a terrible thing to waste.
Jimmy Carter was mocked for wanting folks to raise home thermostats in summer, and lower them in winter. How dare he try to override free will! I fear our inner knowing right from wrong is in need of a major overhaul. Maybe by September?
Let me check my calendar... ahhhh, yes! September seems just about perfect. :)
Teasing aside, I simply lack enough science knowledge to add anything of worth to what you have shared. There is something to be said for awareness of cause and effect? We have learned that eating sugary processed foods leads to obesity? Spraying crops and yards with fertilizers and pesticides correlates with algae laden streams and rivers? Busy families trying to get their kids to school, sports, and piano have no time to consider whether or not to buy juice pouches or boxes... They buy whatever is on sale?
In Flourishing Fictions, one story touches on an inability for our limited human minds to predict the future. Norman Borlaug hybridized wheat? Corn? In The Butterfly Effect, author Andy Andrews points to the chain of events that led to Norman's life and work. He points to millions of lives being saved from starvation. Today we have a scientific bend toward eliminating GMOs? Was Norman's work good, or bad? How can we know with the scope of what we can see?
I'm with you on sticking it out here on earth... come what may.
CURE!
Ditto! Were you prowling around in the dusty corners of my cranium? 🧠
I believe we ARE nature. Every look at the rings on a tree? Like our fingerprints no two alike. They release oxogen so we can breathe. They also store our carbon dioxide.
We need the sun it’s full of vitamins C and D- without it we can literally wither like a flower in the scorching heat.
When we get bitten by a bee we can use mud to bring down the swelling.
We are mostly made up of water. When we sweat it’s salty like the sea.
When you feel anxiety you can walk barefoot on the earth to feel grounded because we are connected.
God created us in his imagine - he’s nature and all around us.
My 2 cents for the day.
Cure!