A mind-opening author introduced me to a different way of looking at the "5 billion year history of Earth in one day". I'm sure we're all familiar with the basic plot. The Earth is formed and the day starts. Nothing interesting happens until the last minute, when humans arrive.
That's a little egocentric! Let's look at the rest. A boiling ball of hot lava, eventually cooling, and forming land, involving earthquakes so massive they break apart continents and land smashes into other land so violently that massive mountains are formed. And then, occasionally the planet is slammed by meteors from outer space, throwing massive amounts of debris into the atmosphere.
And then there's the weather. Watching satellite pictures of hurricanes is pretty impressive. Massive movement of air and water, slamming into the ground and blowing everything in its path. And the tornadoes! Swirling winds over 100 mph, moving over the land and picking up and tossing anything that gets into its way.
But, lived experience as a human on this planet, in my alloted nanosecond of time and nano piece of space, is that Earth is a beautiful green place, with blue skies and oceans, and bountiful life. I expect the ground to remain solid under my feet, even though I have lived through 2 massive earthquakes. I expect rainstorms to stay outside of my house, although I can see on TV that that doesn't always happen. I expect things in outer space to stay in outer space. And when I look outside and see the immense power of a storm, I am shocked and afraid, but convinced that it is only temporary.
Otherwise, I'd be a quivering mass of protoplasm, hiding in a hole in the ground, awaiting disaster.
4 comments:
Having spent time with Tibetans who described this life as rare precious and sacred, I immediately understood, in my DNA perhaps, the reality they spoke of.
Living with invisible radiation fallout and not given any Presidential recommendations and a seeming blackout of information makes me feel as abandoned as the Japanese people. Though they are now a glimpse into a future that is happening Now. No Japanese were evacuated and warned in a meaningful, timely way. Hillary flying into Tokyo seemed like pure theatrics. At the same time TEPCO was saying they planned to have the Nuclear mess cleaned up by November and people could move back home???? A disaster at least on par with Chernobyl? 40% of the land mass of Europe is still radiated from Chernobyl! With Japan's several reactor's and having reached the ground water, entire Japan will be a Hazard site! Shhh, silence.
Reminded me of a Blue Oyster Cult song..
"History shows again and again how nature points up the folly of man.
Oh, no, they say he's got to go
Go go Godzilla
Oh, no, there goes Tokyo
Go go Godzilla"
Thanks Wagelaborer
Yes, Grace, humans have certainly contributed to the uncertainty of living on Earth, although, at the same time, we have built structures to protect ourselves.
The Earth will continue after our seconds in the Sun. And who knows what will evolve?
Wagelaborer, I agree, structures, staying indoors are a big part of staying healthy in a toxic World. It is hard with a kid and my germanic-pagan roots are to get outdoors.
It's a turning point.
Building a greenhouse to grow food is something to look into.
Great to see you posting again, Wagelaborer!
Your strong voice has been missed. Perhaps you'll come back twice as good, given your break. I think about taking a break sometimes but something keeps driving me.
You take care now.
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