When individuals, governments, and religions are destructive, these acts are terrifying. The effectiveness of one individuals destructiveness was so brutally illustrated today. That bomb killed many, but the aftershocks of fear were felt by all.
Terrorism only works because of the media. The only infallible way to get western news cameras to pay attention to you is blow people up.. Is Fear factor still on T.V.? Ever fear for your life while watching fox news? How many times did you hear the phrase Fear Mongering during the health care debate? Scaring people works. Fear is the great motivator of humanity, it shapes our culture with it's intensity. (How long ago was the cold war?)
So, to whoever is the leadership behind these grotesque displays of fear- I think you have every right to be angry. You deserve to scream and be loud and scary. But couldn't 20 healthy people screaming their lungs off in a subway tunnel have accomplished the same thing as what you did today? Terror doesn't have to come at he cost of human lives. Find other ways. Stop doing these terrible things. Please.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Common mergansers on the pond in the rain
The rain is gentle today, but still falling hard enough to blur the white shapes on the pond. At first I thought they were just the little ice burgs you see floating on the lakes this time of year, but I drive past here every morning and i knew this pond had been open for a while. I stop my car in the middle of the road because ducks are more important than whatever appointment I am late for, and grab the binoculars that are ever present on the passenger seat beside me, (and yes, if you ride shotgun in my car you will have to carry them in your lap.) Three common mergansers glide effortlessly across the water like little Irish step dancers, immobile bodies graciously moving across the surface while frantic feet churn beneath them.
The water droplets on my 10X 30's create a fun house mirror effect. Huge rusty heads with bulging foreheads and needle thin red bills with bright white undersides that glare into rainbows though the greasy film on my binoculars lenses. I watch for a moment, then the green head of the male dips sharply and dives, a practiced motion that turns him into a feathered fish for as long as he can hold his breath.
So..... why do we call these birds common?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Fingertips, Physics and other things I don't know about.
Fake finger reveals the secrets of touch : Nature News
"The vibrations are picked up by nerves. But some of the nerve endings, called Pacinian corpuscles, are relatively deep — about 2 millimetres — under the skin, raising questions about how they could detect such subtle vibrations." (Kwock, 2009)
Fingerprints are an intricate topography tailored to each persons sensory perception. Its all about the surfaces, The architecture of world where texture and energy is everything. The simple interaction between the surface of a finger on fabric gives us it's texture, durability and warmth. The nanostructure of both these surfaces communicate1 to each other by altering the climate of the space between them, and our highly evolved neurological system interprets the relevant information.
I was reading a book called boundary layer physics By T.R Oke about climatology of the lower portion of the troposphere, called the boundary layer, where the wind on the earth surface is impacted by the resistance to the ground. In other words, its the important part of the air column where all the plants and animal breathe and the water and wind dance.
One major point that came out of Oke's book was that topography was the main factor that influences the movement and interaction between the surfaces of the air and earth. A gentle sloping mountainside positioned downwind acts the same as a airplane wing and creates turbulence on its lee side. Decreasing or increasing the weight of the air on the earth surface (high and low pressure systems) alters the way that topography influences wind patterns in a predicable manner (at least predictable as far as the weatherman is predictable).
Couldn't this be the same thing with our fingertips? They have a topography designed to generate a specific frequency that casues our nerves to fire eltiric charges in our brain. . How is this any different that the earth spinning mountains around in the wind and creating thunderstorms?
1Perhaps communicate is inaccurate for it implies sentience of the fabric (though the argument for animism is one I would gladly indulge should anyone be interested).
"The vibrations are picked up by nerves. But some of the nerve endings, called Pacinian corpuscles, are relatively deep — about 2 millimetres — under the skin, raising questions about how they could detect such subtle vibrations." (Kwock, 2009)
Fingerprints are an intricate topography tailored to each persons sensory perception. Its all about the surfaces, The architecture of world where texture and energy is everything. The simple interaction between the surface of a finger on fabric gives us it's texture, durability and warmth. The nanostructure of both these surfaces communicate1 to each other by altering the climate of the space between them, and our highly evolved neurological system interprets the relevant information.
I was reading a book called boundary layer physics By T.R Oke about climatology of the lower portion of the troposphere, called the boundary layer, where the wind on the earth surface is impacted by the resistance to the ground. In other words, its the important part of the air column where all the plants and animal breathe and the water and wind dance.
One major point that came out of Oke's book was that topography was the main factor that influences the movement and interaction between the surfaces of the air and earth. A gentle sloping mountainside positioned downwind acts the same as a airplane wing and creates turbulence on its lee side. Decreasing or increasing the weight of the air on the earth surface (high and low pressure systems) alters the way that topography influences wind patterns in a predicable manner (at least predictable as far as the weatherman is predictable).
Couldn't this be the same thing with our fingertips? They have a topography designed to generate a specific frequency that casues our nerves to fire eltiric charges in our brain. . How is this any different that the earth spinning mountains around in the wind and creating thunderstorms?
1Perhaps communicate is inaccurate for it implies sentience of the fabric (though the argument for animism is one I would gladly indulge should anyone be interested).
A Declaration of Interdependence
When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one to observe the ecological bands that connect them to one another, and assume among the powers of earth, the equal station to which the laws of nature subject them to, impels them to declare the causes of unification.
We hold these truths to be self evident, that all life is created equal, that there are endowed by biology (or god) with an inalienable purpose, a sense of place. This purpose cannot be achieved, nor this “place” found without observing the rights of environment, wildlife and community. Similarly, our habitat, the earth, cannot survive without the attentions of its inhabitants. Humans, animals, flora, fauna are dependant on each other for the essentials; food, water, shelter, air, with witch none will survive without. In searching our souls for meaning, we idealize independence, freedom, and wealth, instead of looking to the bonds that chain us to our purpose, the webs of interdependence.
The entrenched power of the modern world disseminates fear, injustice and poverty upon the masses, using slight of hand and sliver tongues to distract us from the chasm growing between people and place. Effectively, we have removed ourselves from the life cycle, choosing instead to take what we want when we want it, irrespective of consequences or reparation. We have created miles of concrete, disrupting habitat and water cycle. We consume millions of tons of carbon-based fuels, flooding the atmosphere with more carbon dioxide than the trees can recycle into oxygen. We generate waste products at a rate far surpassing the ability of the earth to decompose it. We lean upon the earth, heavily, for all out needs, but offer no support in return. Loss of place is loss of purpose, loss of identity and relationships. Without purpose, people not only lose contact with environment and community, but we fail to fulfill out part in the life cycle that sustains us.
We are now mandated to secure these rights of interdependent habitation for the environment and ourselves. We as humans have a right to our own survival, and our survival is dependent on the ability to breathe the exhalations of the trees, and drink the tears of the clouds. When individuals, governments, and religions are destructive to these ends, we are obligated to scream our objections loud, that others may hear and share our discontent. It is the right of the people to cry out and educate the uninformed. We must abolish these thoughts of self-serving individualism so ingrained in our cultural conscience: to learn to depend upon one another for our needs as we depend on the earth for our home.
We must declare, as individuals and as a community, our Interdependence: interweave our lives with the people and places around us; work hard to provide not just for our families, but also our community. By allowing our neighbors to support us as we support them, we are forced to feel kinship, rebuild relationships with one another and the earth. We learn to depend on each other in our daily lives for our daily bread. We begin to comprehend the natural world, the ecological feedback loops that sustain the entire planet’s existence.
The Declaration of Interdependence focuses upon this new solution: systemic unification of people and place. Look no farther than neighbors and gardens for the solution. The simplicity of cooperation and community provides our motivation: we fix the problem by fixing ourselves; repairing the damaged landscapes and fractured communities left in the wake of the American dream. We must not be afraid to ask for help, from the land or our fellow man. We must not be afraid to receive it. Look for the purpose in all people, and include them all in our society. This is not a solution of action, but one of perception.
This declaration to empower all humans with the ability to perceive and practice interdependent living can only be achieved through reconnection with our natural world. The key to shifting the entrenched paradigm is to spend time observing, interacting and working intimately with the land. By observing the interrelated functions of the plants, trees and insects, we gain the knowledge needed sustain our existence, and that of our neighbors. We must begin to perceive ourselves as one of a whole, interdependent species and act according to this perception. What’s needed is a gentle, progressive movement of humanity back to its roots in the land and the community.
This doctrine does not call for mass exoduses to the few rural areas left in this country; nor the giving up all material possessions. (Though most could lose a few.) We argue here not for the self-reliance of the transcendentalist; nor the intense Vairagya (aversion to worldly interests) that Gandhi practiced.
Instead, a change in the mind of you, the reader is required. Shift perception toward interdependence; revise the old standards of independent autonomy. Spend five minutes a day learning from a tree, bird or pond. Show children the wonder of the woods; teach them of their place in the system. Ask how you can help your neighbors, friends and family. Money has no currency to the earth; only hard work will earn her respect.. These are simple tasks, it will cost no money to implement, require no violent rebellion and no political bickering.
What’s required is the observation and redefinition of our individual, social and environmental values to reflect a new understanding of our interdependent existence. Remove preconceived notions of the way things are; see life as it should be, as you want it to be. Never underestimate the power of to change your perception to make the world conform to what you want it to be.
We hold these truths to be self evident, that all life is created equal, that there are endowed by biology (or god) with an inalienable purpose, a sense of place. This purpose cannot be achieved, nor this “place” found without observing the rights of environment, wildlife and community. Similarly, our habitat, the earth, cannot survive without the attentions of its inhabitants. Humans, animals, flora, fauna are dependant on each other for the essentials; food, water, shelter, air, with witch none will survive without. In searching our souls for meaning, we idealize independence, freedom, and wealth, instead of looking to the bonds that chain us to our purpose, the webs of interdependence.
The entrenched power of the modern world disseminates fear, injustice and poverty upon the masses, using slight of hand and sliver tongues to distract us from the chasm growing between people and place. Effectively, we have removed ourselves from the life cycle, choosing instead to take what we want when we want it, irrespective of consequences or reparation. We have created miles of concrete, disrupting habitat and water cycle. We consume millions of tons of carbon-based fuels, flooding the atmosphere with more carbon dioxide than the trees can recycle into oxygen. We generate waste products at a rate far surpassing the ability of the earth to decompose it. We lean upon the earth, heavily, for all out needs, but offer no support in return. Loss of place is loss of purpose, loss of identity and relationships. Without purpose, people not only lose contact with environment and community, but we fail to fulfill out part in the life cycle that sustains us.
We are now mandated to secure these rights of interdependent habitation for the environment and ourselves. We as humans have a right to our own survival, and our survival is dependent on the ability to breathe the exhalations of the trees, and drink the tears of the clouds. When individuals, governments, and religions are destructive to these ends, we are obligated to scream our objections loud, that others may hear and share our discontent. It is the right of the people to cry out and educate the uninformed. We must abolish these thoughts of self-serving individualism so ingrained in our cultural conscience: to learn to depend upon one another for our needs as we depend on the earth for our home.
We must declare, as individuals and as a community, our Interdependence: interweave our lives with the people and places around us; work hard to provide not just for our families, but also our community. By allowing our neighbors to support us as we support them, we are forced to feel kinship, rebuild relationships with one another and the earth. We learn to depend on each other in our daily lives for our daily bread. We begin to comprehend the natural world, the ecological feedback loops that sustain the entire planet’s existence.
The Declaration of Interdependence focuses upon this new solution: systemic unification of people and place. Look no farther than neighbors and gardens for the solution. The simplicity of cooperation and community provides our motivation: we fix the problem by fixing ourselves; repairing the damaged landscapes and fractured communities left in the wake of the American dream. We must not be afraid to ask for help, from the land or our fellow man. We must not be afraid to receive it. Look for the purpose in all people, and include them all in our society. This is not a solution of action, but one of perception.
This declaration to empower all humans with the ability to perceive and practice interdependent living can only be achieved through reconnection with our natural world. The key to shifting the entrenched paradigm is to spend time observing, interacting and working intimately with the land. By observing the interrelated functions of the plants, trees and insects, we gain the knowledge needed sustain our existence, and that of our neighbors. We must begin to perceive ourselves as one of a whole, interdependent species and act according to this perception. What’s needed is a gentle, progressive movement of humanity back to its roots in the land and the community.
This doctrine does not call for mass exoduses to the few rural areas left in this country; nor the giving up all material possessions. (Though most could lose a few.) We argue here not for the self-reliance of the transcendentalist; nor the intense Vairagya (aversion to worldly interests) that Gandhi practiced.
Instead, a change in the mind of you, the reader is required. Shift perception toward interdependence; revise the old standards of independent autonomy. Spend five minutes a day learning from a tree, bird or pond. Show children the wonder of the woods; teach them of their place in the system. Ask how you can help your neighbors, friends and family. Money has no currency to the earth; only hard work will earn her respect.. These are simple tasks, it will cost no money to implement, require no violent rebellion and no political bickering.
What’s required is the observation and redefinition of our individual, social and environmental values to reflect a new understanding of our interdependent existence. Remove preconceived notions of the way things are; see life as it should be, as you want it to be. Never underestimate the power of to change your perception to make the world conform to what you want it to be.
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