What can one say? Another great essay from one of Substack's most lyrical writers. But it is not eloquence for eloquence's sake. It is an eloquence tempered with scientific analysis. Dispair and joy and sober reckoning. Not unlike Lewis Thomas in fact.... I purchased Lives of a Cell hardbound when it first came out and must say it provided so many insights that I still take energy from..a book both informative and transformative.
Thank you, Michael. I really like your idea hear of "still taking energy" from Thomas' writing. That's exactly the feeling we get from great writing, isn't it?
Amazing, just the other day, before this post, somehow somewhere from the ether it occurred to me that I had never read The Medusa and the Snail. (We must be channeling one another through the interwebs or the great unknown.) In that book, I now have yet another thing to look forward to (like every one of your posts)!
That is a lovely bit of synchronicity, Bryan. Meanwhile, Heather and I are pondering a Monhegan trip this month... Thanks for your really beautiful (Monhegan-based) piece on prioritizing the moment's meditation of Monarchs. Which, as I write this, reminds me that I wrote a (Monhegan-based) Coda piece for Orion a decade ago about the mysteries of the mind when quietly observing the world. Maybe I'll republish that here when I need a break. Meanwhile, we can both sit back with some Lewis Thomas and see where he takes us.
Great reflection on appreciating air and weather, Jason. I used a fragment of that wonderful Lewis Thomas quotation about affection for the atmosphere as a chapter-opening quote in my 1992 book, "Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast." You can see the visual of that page here:
Thank you, Rob. That's a compliment of the highest order, esp. coming from you.
I'm a few decades late to the party... but given the relevance and resonance of Thomas' work today, I wish it was more often cited and discussed. His writing and insights are so elegant.
Regarding the curated note about population pressure, the fact is, we are consuming the Earth. Whether it is by converting forest to farmland or pasture or by degrading the environment to mine minerals for electronics or sweeping up all the krill in the Antarctic to feed livestock to feed us, we are quite literally "eating up" the biosphere that supports us. If this continues (as it surely will), a great reckoning is inevitable.
Absolutely, Jim. The reckoning is already underway. Its extent will be defined by our compassion for life and the speed with which we enact it.
Consumption is the right word for our presence on the planet in this current form of human culture. From the perspective of all other life, we're devouring the place. The great cultural shift that has to happen includes responsibly and respectfully - but quickly - reducing our numbers.
What can one say? Another great essay from one of Substack's most lyrical writers. But it is not eloquence for eloquence's sake. It is an eloquence tempered with scientific analysis. Dispair and joy and sober reckoning. Not unlike Lewis Thomas in fact.... I purchased Lives of a Cell hardbound when it first came out and must say it provided so many insights that I still take energy from..a book both informative and transformative.
Thank you, Michael. I really like your idea hear of "still taking energy" from Thomas' writing. That's exactly the feeling we get from great writing, isn't it?
Amazing, just the other day, before this post, somehow somewhere from the ether it occurred to me that I had never read The Medusa and the Snail. (We must be channeling one another through the interwebs or the great unknown.) In that book, I now have yet another thing to look forward to (like every one of your posts)!
That is a lovely bit of synchronicity, Bryan. Meanwhile, Heather and I are pondering a Monhegan trip this month... Thanks for your really beautiful (Monhegan-based) piece on prioritizing the moment's meditation of Monarchs. Which, as I write this, reminds me that I wrote a (Monhegan-based) Coda piece for Orion a decade ago about the mysteries of the mind when quietly observing the world. Maybe I'll republish that here when I need a break. Meanwhile, we can both sit back with some Lewis Thomas and see where he takes us.
Great reflection on appreciating air and weather, Jason. I used a fragment of that wonderful Lewis Thomas quotation about affection for the atmosphere as a chapter-opening quote in my 1992 book, "Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast." You can see the visual of that page here:
Thanks for chiming in, Andy. Yes, I'm a few decades behind the curve on advertising Thomas' work... but glad to see I'm in good company.
Your link didn't come through. Feel free to follow up.
Beautiful, Jason. Lewis Thomas blew my mind with Lives of a Cell. You carry on the tradition.
Thank you, Rob. That's a compliment of the highest order, esp. coming from you.
I'm a few decades late to the party... but given the relevance and resonance of Thomas' work today, I wish it was more often cited and discussed. His writing and insights are so elegant.
Regarding the curated note about population pressure, the fact is, we are consuming the Earth. Whether it is by converting forest to farmland or pasture or by degrading the environment to mine minerals for electronics or sweeping up all the krill in the Antarctic to feed livestock to feed us, we are quite literally "eating up" the biosphere that supports us. If this continues (as it surely will), a great reckoning is inevitable.
Absolutely, Jim. The reckoning is already underway. Its extent will be defined by our compassion for life and the speed with which we enact it.
Consumption is the right word for our presence on the planet in this current form of human culture. From the perspective of all other life, we're devouring the place. The great cultural shift that has to happen includes responsibly and respectfully - but quickly - reducing our numbers.
And the best way to reduce numbers is to empower and educate women!
Everywhere! Not just in western industrialized societies (where education and at least some empowerment had reduced the birthrate).
Right, but best to emphasize it here before demanding it elsewhere... History and colonialism being what they are.