Great article Mary. Love how you tie detailed botanical and geological information into a narrative relating back to symbiosis in your garden, then back out to global implications.
This is the second time in a couple of weeks that I have heard homo sapiens might have survived--and thrived--because of cooperation and communication. Thank you for this thoughtful, thought-provoking post, Mary. I am liking the lichens (sorry couldn't help it!) Ancient beings with something new and old to teach us. Inspiring.
Beautiful sentiment that will ring in my head for a life time! Cooperation has been undermined by war and simple disfunction. Improving things has always been left to government that often uses cooperation badly, if at all. How often have I heard, "Not my job!" when it comes to things that are failing, yet without someone taking responsibility to get it fixed, it remains a problem. Thanks for the illumination of something so ignored but such a good example of exactly what needs to take place!
💖You grabbed my attention with your opening words and kept me riveted as you blended and wove wisdom and wonder throughout this piece. I LOVE lichen! Your description of the tree trunk based lichen with meteoric-like goblet cups atop sent me outside to commune with our local lichen. 🙏🏼
Lovely! Will only point out that Darwin said “fittest,” not strongest. As Liberty Hyde Bailey reminds us in his chapter against war in The Holy Earth, Darwin understood (against Tennyson’s “red in tooth and claw”) that fittest usually meant most adaptable. Symbiosis, and cooperation, is an excellent adaptation for fitness. The reason the small and adaptable organisms survive longest is that they are more fit than the big and the strong.
Sure! And I definitely don’t mean to imply that sharp teeth, predation, etc aren’t also excellent adaptations for some animals. Just that Darwin knew there were many ways to be “fitted” to one’s environment, and the fittest survive, whether garfish or lichen. This post reminded me of how much I’m in awe of lichens and wish I knew more about them.
What an amazing and applicable story. The title suggests a discussion about one issue; to which the story is certainly relevant, but leads the reader on a journey of a much broader and even more important current social issue. Thank you for starting the day with positivity and hope. This is a story of emotion and intellect. It also reminds us, in a world filled with competition and individuality, that there is a homeostasis that can and should exist through symbiosis.
Thank you, RE! I'm so glad happy to get this response. Later that week, I told Cillian that my whole view of nature and human conflict had changed that day in that class.
Great article Mary. Love how you tie detailed botanical and geological information into a narrative relating back to symbiosis in your garden, then back out to global implications.
Thank you, Warren! This took a lot of thought and finesse, but I love blending the sciences and the political.
This is the second time in a couple of weeks that I have heard homo sapiens might have survived--and thrived--because of cooperation and communication. Thank you for this thoughtful, thought-provoking post, Mary. I am liking the lichens (sorry couldn't help it!) Ancient beings with something new and old to teach us. Inspiring.
We need to keep on liking those lichens, cooperating and communicating all the way!
Beautiful sentiment that will ring in my head for a life time! Cooperation has been undermined by war and simple disfunction. Improving things has always been left to government that often uses cooperation badly, if at all. How often have I heard, "Not my job!" when it comes to things that are failing, yet without someone taking responsibility to get it fixed, it remains a problem. Thanks for the illumination of something so ignored but such a good example of exactly what needs to take place!
💖You grabbed my attention with your opening words and kept me riveted as you blended and wove wisdom and wonder throughout this piece. I LOVE lichen! Your description of the tree trunk based lichen with meteoric-like goblet cups atop sent me outside to commune with our local lichen. 🙏🏼
Thanks for sending lichen pix from Alaska!
How could I pass up a photo shoot? You inspired me with your piece!
Lovely! Will only point out that Darwin said “fittest,” not strongest. As Liberty Hyde Bailey reminds us in his chapter against war in The Holy Earth, Darwin understood (against Tennyson’s “red in tooth and claw”) that fittest usually meant most adaptable. Symbiosis, and cooperation, is an excellent adaptation for fitness. The reason the small and adaptable organisms survive longest is that they are more fit than the big and the strong.
Good point. I suppose the garfish survived due to both its long snout and sharp teeth, and due to its ability to breathe air.
Sure! And I definitely don’t mean to imply that sharp teeth, predation, etc aren’t also excellent adaptations for some animals. Just that Darwin knew there were many ways to be “fitted” to one’s environment, and the fittest survive, whether garfish or lichen. This post reminded me of how much I’m in awe of lichens and wish I knew more about them.
What an amazing and applicable story. The title suggests a discussion about one issue; to which the story is certainly relevant, but leads the reader on a journey of a much broader and even more important current social issue. Thank you for starting the day with positivity and hope. This is a story of emotion and intellect. It also reminds us, in a world filled with competition and individuality, that there is a homeostasis that can and should exist through symbiosis.
Thank you, RE! I'm so glad happy to get this response. Later that week, I told Cillian that my whole view of nature and human conflict had changed that day in that class.
Mary, this is absolutely fascinating! Thank you!!
Thanks, Vicki!
Nice. Symbiosis - what a catchy word. I too remember from high school biology. Cooperation, wouldn’t it be nice?
If only...but I love your optimism
Maybe we have to blend with another species. . .
Love this piece!! Thank you!!