We’re All Connected
    The following short passage comes from Ursala Goodenough’s book THE SACRED DEPTHS OF NATURE. Ms. Goodenough reminds me that it is not just the fascinating mammals or the awesome mountains that are worth celebrating. It’s all of us, including the microbes, maybe even especially the microbes, that weave together to create a wondrous whole.
    “I walk through the Missouri woods and the organisms are everywhere, seen and unseen, flying about or pushing through the soil or rummaging under the leaves, adapting and reproducing.  I open my senses to them and we connect. I no longer need to anthropomorphize them, to value them because they are beautiful or amusing or important for my survival. I see them as they are; I understand how they work. I think about their genes switching on and off, their cells dividing and differentiating in pace with my own, homologous to my own. I take in the sycamore by the river and I think about its story, the ancient algae and mosses and ferns that came before, the tiny first progenitor that gave rise to it and to me. I try to guess why it looks the way it does–why the leaves are so serrated and the bark so white–and imagine all sorts of answers, all manner of selections and unintended consequences that have yielded this tree to existence and hence to my experience.”–Ursala GoodenoughÂ
June 16th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
April,
For some reason I have yet to understand, the phrase, “the microbes, that weave together to create a wondrous whole”, really annoys me.
When I think of the “wondrous whole”, I think not just of the beneficial microbes that we humans depend on so heavily, but also of the pathogenic ones that cause the plague, tuberculosis and anthrax. The human suffering caused by these microbes is also part of that whole, and I feel very uncomfortable calling it “wondrous”.
It’s not a question of seeing my glass as half empty, but rather of wanting to acknowledge BOTH the emptiness as well as the fullness. We live in a world with much beauty, but it’s not perfect by a long shot. By limiting ourselves to ONLY the beauty, I suppose we miss out on a lot of chances to make a difference - but I might add, “so what”.
There’s probably much more to say, but unfortunately I’ve gotta run for now. I will think more about this, and if I discover something useful, I’ll be back another day. In any case, thanks for your stimulating and provocative blog.
June 17th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Jersey Guy, your comments challenge me and make me think!
One of the reasons I launched The Earth Connection is that I believe we humans are quite twisted in the way we treat the planet, which is, after all, our home. For centuries now, we have been exploiting the earth for ‘resources,’ plundering it for our own gain. And in doing so, we are dangerously fouling the air, land and water, altering the climate, and driving many species to extinction.
I believe we need to focus much more on the natural order, the whole, of which we are all a part. It is the wholeness of that natural order that enables all the life forms to continue. Of course an inevitable part of that wholeness is predation. One animal’s food is another animal! Some microbes cause illess and suffering in humans.
We humans may hate those microbes and consider them bad. But they’re all part of the large, incredibly complex, and, I would say, amazing web of life. As individuals, we suffer and die, but the river of life flows on. And I do find that beautiful.
June 19th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
April,
I agree with your assessment of our collective behavior. The question I’d ask is, “What’s the most effective way to change it?” (If that’s what you’re trying to do?)
My view is “those who love the earth” already know the wondrous side of nature and that comforts us, but reminding us (the “converted”) of it won’t create real change. The people who are doing the plundering, fouling, and altering are blind to the beauty you speak of.
How to reach them? It will take political power, and policies grounded in science-based facts and figures of the consequences of different actions - very messy and not as much fun as dreaming the dream of the river of life, but in the end more satisfying - at least for me.
I’m certainly not trying to tell you what to do, but if your intention is truly to change the way we treat the planet, wouldn’t it be better to donate the time to the Sierra Club (as one of many examples), write letters to your congressional reps, etc., etc.? Even as I say it, I feel stupid for saying it, because again, it’s not my place to give you advice on how to spend your life’s energy, so for that I must apologize.
Bottom Line - If you find any of these musings useful, great, but in the end my wish for you is that you find and follow your own bliss - wherever that leads you. Thanks again for a thought-provoking blog.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Another interesting comment, Jersey Guy.
Given the nature of TheEarthConnection.org, you may be surprised to learn that I am a long-time organizer and activist. I worked for Ralph Nader (long before his wrong-headed runs for President), ran the National Campaign to Stop the MX and a national peace organization, and organized press conferences and events for public interest organizations. Activism is my ‘MO,’ if you will.
Launching TheEarthConnection.org is a major departure for me. While I completely agree with you about the importance of working politcally, I wanted to spend more time enjoying nature, reveling in it, learning about it. I believe that strengthening those who are already on ‘our side’ is important, and I am heartened that others are enjoying the site too.
I will never stop writing Members of Congress, working for earth-friendly candidates, and participating in environmental organizations. But I’m enjoying my new venture with TheEarthConnection.org. And activist that I am, I just had to include an action component on the site! I deeply believe in practical action at the personal and political levels.