Drifting Thoughts by Chipka
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Description
I find myself amazed—at times—with small things: the shape of a bird’s wing as seen on a dew-misted weekend morning; the manner in which patterns of speech reveal all sorts of little hints and clues about a speaker; the way that humans are more a part of the environment than we care to admit, and how our lives (and actions) are dictated by such forces as light and gravity. I’ll always be amazed by such things, which is probably why I like science fiction so much. Science fiction, like science itself is preoccupied with stating the obvious. The thing with humans is we’re exceptionally good at stating the obvious, but we’re incredibly bad at actually seeing it.
I thought of this as I watched clouds moving across the sunset. I’d had a stressful day and I noticed that there was a particular pattern to my stress: high-pressure fronts, humidity levels, light (or darkness) driving the engines (and patterns) of atmospheric convection. The stresses I felt were much like updrafts or depressions: clouds scudding across a bright glare of sunlight…the promise of rain. This, if anything, says that I am something of a mirror of the planet on which I live. This is obvious: nothing new. Science (and science fiction) have shown us how the tides have a lot to do with our circadian rhythms, and periods of “visitation” endured by female humans once every 28 days. NASA and various science fiction writers have shown (beyond dispute) how the color green keeps us from going crazy. And so, it’s no surprise to me to make a connection between mental states and meteorological phenomena. One is not related to the other, but one can serve as a reasonable metaphor for its twin. I recognized this as I saw clouds to the west.
This picture is only a few days old, but I remember the day in question firmly. I saw the shapes of the clouds pictured here, and thought of them as the planet Earth’s passing thoughts. I saw them as abstractions flashing through the planetary mind. I can’t say that I believe in such thing as a planet-mind, but I can look at clouds and imagine the very shapes of thoughts and I can wonder: If thoughts are electrical impulses in the complicated meat between our ears, can they not be mirrored in flat-bottomed clouds, drifting over the northwestern reach of Chicago like vast pie-plate flying saucers from a cheap and plotless action movie extravaganza?
In terms of literal atmospherics and mental states, the mood I endured has passed, and other thoughts (including story ideas) have drifted through my mind like…well…like very specific clouds. Some were alive with flashes of lightening. Others were wispy, feathery things: cold with suspended ice crystals that made sundogs on brisk days. And now, days after thinking of clouds and thoughts, convection patterns and moods, I can look at an image I made and I can ask myself a single question.
If there is such a thing as a world-mind, and if clouds are its passing thoughts, what thoughts might these be?
It’s a fun question to ponder.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re at the start of an excellent weekend.
Comments (23)
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
Sepiasiren
love the deep red and coal blacks...moving work
helanker
Again you amaze me of the way you think. I just LUV, when you are giving your imagination free reins like that. You give us so many fascinating thoughts. Its the same as if you shared a fantastic image. I sit here with a dumb smile on my face :) This could be subject to a new story. OH and I was almost forgetting to tell you, how I love this beautiful image too.
alanwilliams
A beautiful image and your reading of it lends another kind of beauty.
prutzworks
cool burning sky shot
lick.a.witch
What is magic about your words is your ability - whether you realise it or not - to make folks that read them, ponder! That, Chip, is a rare gift. The image is superb. The words thought provoking. Now I shall go ponder... ^=^ Regards to Corey.
durleybeachbum
Excellent ponderings!! And a lovely sky.
rockstrider
Beautiful sky colours!
MrsRatbag
A fertile and fascinating mind, Chip; I love to read your ponderings!
Orinoor
Both observant and intriguing, good companions for the early morning coffee.
Sea_Dog
Well done. As usual I'm amazed by your ability to blend the visual with a state of mind in an captivating narrative.
sandra46
outstanding image, a really beautiful work!
flavia49
after the meteor!! splendid capture and text!!
myrrhluz
"I saw the shapes of the clouds pictured here, and thought of them as the planet Earth’s passing thoughts. I saw them as abstractions flashing through the planetary mind." What a fascinating thought. No, I don't believe in a planet-mind, but sometimes it's hard not to FEEL that the Earth is alive and trying to communicate, even if you don't really think so. Beautiful image! If these are the thoughts of the Earth, I'd say she is troubled.
jac204
Very nice picture and message.
RodS
A beautiful photo, and very thought-provoking narrative, Chip. I love reading your words, my friend, as much as I enjoy your photos.
MagikUnicorn
Beauty of night spirit :)
beachzz
Having been here in southern California for nearly a month, I know exactly what you're saying. I can feel the earth speak to me, I'm surrounded by concrete and steel and things hard and unyielding. Yet, still I hear her, whispering about her beauty and all she has to offer. All you have to do is look, listen and you'll know. You always do this, open my eyes and my mind with your words and your fotos.
minos_6
Your musings made me think of Gaia. You have a very interesting take on our dependence on the planet we call home. It can be a volatile and frightening place too, however peaceful it may look from space in all those famous NASA images. Your capture is superb. It's easy to look at the complexity of these cloud formations and imagine some form of planetary intelligence. Stunning image, and compelling ideas. I'm constantly amazed by the diversity of subject matters in your thoughts.
danapommet
Beautiful sunset capture Chip but, if I can steal a word from Denise’s comment, it is your ponderings that will stay with me. I used to visit a place in upstate Maine called Brownville Junction. To lay in a field and look into a sky covered with more stars than any other place I had been (no light pollution that far north). To sum it up as “the silence was deafening”. Mother Nature at her finest. Dana
lucindawind
beautiful image and story
KateBlack10
Really beautiful Chip - great pic
nikolais
drifting phrases...this is what I often think about the clouds at sunset.. too bad the language is unknown