Release it - put it out; place it to be sensed, noted, interpreted & relayed. Be courageous without falling back upon “fearlessness”. Fear is a component of awareness. To refute fear outright rather than elect the willing exercise of observing oneself is to dodge the embrace earned through understanding.
This whole concept of longevity is not something I’ve spent much time thinking about. This realization surprises me somewhat as I’m a lifelong public educator. I appreciate that I’m finding those (like you!) who provide ideas/notions/musings that keep me thinking, wondering, and pondering.
Leslie, public educator is one of the most important work around. To your point, so much can be said about their role, especially when it comes to longevity. What grade level do you teach? 🙏
When it comes to creatures it’s adaptive advantage that either makes it more durable to changing environment or better able to avoid predation, better able to hunt or find other nutrients, better able to resist disease. As humans now quickly alter and shrink the available land-space and atmosphere for biodiversity on the non-ocean surface, the oceans remain as the best place for “new”, newly discovered , or fantastically odd species adapting to as yet unexplored environmental niches. Sharks are good example of a species so well adapted to the ocean generally with few predators (humans mostly), tremendously successful immune system, sense of smell from a distance for blood to the billion part per million level (maybe more), electrical sensors on both sides of body that detect other creatures. That said it has not changed for too long to count the years. I suspect that humans have changed much more over same time period trading brawn, swiftness, size, great vulnerability and a more limited range of senses for a complex system of systems controlled by an embodied- large-brain system of crosstalk that solves problems re: existing and dominating and as such creates both technical and artistic wonder. And has gone so far helter-skelter without acknowledging limits that it has ,over 200 years, so damaged its own natural environment in a manner that no other animal can. We forget the evidence that Mother Nature has been watching and keeps warning us without the truly largest needed response.
Because we're often entranced by the visual, we assume that beauty is what pleases the eye. But maybe beauty is more of a function; it continues to exist because it does something necessary well. The shopping carts at IKEA are beautiful to me because they move effortlessly in any direction; they glide wherever I need them to without having to be turned and *pointed.* When humans finally understand that the beautiful is so much more than the "pretty," so much more than "eye candy," we'll have figured out how to keep the planet and ourselves alive and thriving.
Miguel- You’re absolutely right in that measurements of beauty needs to be for deeper than pretty or even necessary. I love this observant mind of yours.
So beautiful. We all need to pause and realize we are guardians of the past and the future, caretakers for all that is....Many thanks for this thoughtful post.
Wow Thalia, this is so fascinating! I live about 15 mins away from the Brighton Aquarium (or Sea Life Centre as it is now, as you rightly say) and have taken both my kids there umpteen times. I also visited it as a kid myself back in the 80s when they still did a show with live dolphins (long since banned for animal welfare reasons I'm glad to say). Yet reading this I realise I've never really stopped to look closely at the architecture - and I certainly didn't know about Eugenius Birch! I will look at those columns & arches with very different eyes the next time I'm there thanks to your post 😊
Thalia, so rich! I first read this earlier this week when it came out and was fascinated by the man. It sent me on a Google rabbit trail. Do you know of any biographies that you would recommend? My second reading of your post made me much more aware of the emotional stakes involved in all of this creation. What a gutsy guy.
Abbey- Here in the coastlines of US, international biographies are hard to come by. So I’ve been piecing his story through multiple references and not a singular biography. I do wish there’s a collective database that serves on a global level. But we must make do with what we have for now. And you’re right. Guts, perseverance, innovation, and belief. A great story.
I like how you link the structures of sea creatures with the structures of the aquarium itself and consider how aesthetics and longevity aren't always related--though the complex and beautiful groin vault seems to offer a counterexample. I hope you are having a wonderful week!
Release it - put it out; place it to be sensed, noted, interpreted & relayed. Be courageous without falling back upon “fearlessness”. Fear is a component of awareness. To refute fear outright rather than elect the willing exercise of observing oneself is to dodge the embrace earned through understanding.
Wise words, Mark. Particularly the “willing exercise” bit. A great way of putting it.
So, so, SO much to ponder. I appreciate that you stretch my brain, my thinking, my pondering.
Leslie, I’m glad it resonates. Which part stood out to you? Hope the week has been kind to you, Leslie? 🙏
This whole concept of longevity is not something I’ve spent much time thinking about. This realization surprises me somewhat as I’m a lifelong public educator. I appreciate that I’m finding those (like you!) who provide ideas/notions/musings that keep me thinking, wondering, and pondering.
Leslie, public educator is one of the most important work around. To your point, so much can be said about their role, especially when it comes to longevity. What grade level do you teach? 🙏
When it comes to creatures it’s adaptive advantage that either makes it more durable to changing environment or better able to avoid predation, better able to hunt or find other nutrients, better able to resist disease. As humans now quickly alter and shrink the available land-space and atmosphere for biodiversity on the non-ocean surface, the oceans remain as the best place for “new”, newly discovered , or fantastically odd species adapting to as yet unexplored environmental niches. Sharks are good example of a species so well adapted to the ocean generally with few predators (humans mostly), tremendously successful immune system, sense of smell from a distance for blood to the billion part per million level (maybe more), electrical sensors on both sides of body that detect other creatures. That said it has not changed for too long to count the years. I suspect that humans have changed much more over same time period trading brawn, swiftness, size, great vulnerability and a more limited range of senses for a complex system of systems controlled by an embodied- large-brain system of crosstalk that solves problems re: existing and dominating and as such creates both technical and artistic wonder. And has gone so far helter-skelter without acknowledging limits that it has ,over 200 years, so damaged its own natural environment in a manner that no other animal can. We forget the evidence that Mother Nature has been watching and keeps warning us without the truly largest needed response.
“New” newly discovered is a great way to describe them. I appreciate this deep thinking, Bobby.
Because we're often entranced by the visual, we assume that beauty is what pleases the eye. But maybe beauty is more of a function; it continues to exist because it does something necessary well. The shopping carts at IKEA are beautiful to me because they move effortlessly in any direction; they glide wherever I need them to without having to be turned and *pointed.* When humans finally understand that the beautiful is so much more than the "pretty," so much more than "eye candy," we'll have figured out how to keep the planet and ourselves alive and thriving.
Miguel- You’re absolutely right in that measurements of beauty needs to be for deeper than pretty or even necessary. I love this observant mind of yours.
Really cool essay!
Glad you liked it, Heather. How have you been? 🙏
Been great. Writing academically lately, so not posting. But I look forward to returning to creative work after that deadline. 💚
Deadlines are rough, but sometimes useful? Good luck, Heather. 🙌🏼
So beautiful. We all need to pause and realize we are guardians of the past and the future, caretakers for all that is....Many thanks for this thoughtful post.
Janet- You’re absolutely right in our hidden yet not so hidden role as custodians, especially for sea creatures of the deep. 🙏
Wow Thalia, this is so fascinating! I live about 15 mins away from the Brighton Aquarium (or Sea Life Centre as it is now, as you rightly say) and have taken both my kids there umpteen times. I also visited it as a kid myself back in the 80s when they still did a show with live dolphins (long since banned for animal welfare reasons I'm glad to say). Yet reading this I realise I've never really stopped to look closely at the architecture - and I certainly didn't know about Eugenius Birch! I will look at those columns & arches with very different eyes the next time I'm there thanks to your post 😊
Vicki- This is a total treat. Curious: how has the place changed since the 80s aside from a fresh paint here and there?
Thalia, so rich! I first read this earlier this week when it came out and was fascinated by the man. It sent me on a Google rabbit trail. Do you know of any biographies that you would recommend? My second reading of your post made me much more aware of the emotional stakes involved in all of this creation. What a gutsy guy.
Abbey- Here in the coastlines of US, international biographies are hard to come by. So I’ve been piecing his story through multiple references and not a singular biography. I do wish there’s a collective database that serves on a global level. But we must make do with what we have for now. And you’re right. Guts, perseverance, innovation, and belief. A great story.
Illuminating- I have to read it a few more times.
Good to hear, Deborah- Any particular part that resonated with you? Hope you’re well this week. 🙏
The way you turn our perspective upside down or right side up.
August is a month you want to linger with. Thanks for sharing Thalia.
Here’s to calm August evenings, Deborah- 🌅
Illuminating - I have to read this a few more times.
Yes, put it out there. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Couldn’t agree more. How are things with you this week, Jim? 🙏
Relatability.
Definitely this, Jim.
I like how you link the structures of sea creatures with the structures of the aquarium itself and consider how aesthetics and longevity aren't always related--though the complex and beautiful groin vault seems to offer a counterexample. I hope you are having a wonderful week!