Cross-Cultural Blog

This image speaks to my inquisitive nature and appreciation for perseverance. The image is somewhat mysterious in subject matter and composition, which challenges the viewer to question what exactly it stands for and asks him to look at himself and assess how he fits into the image. It asks the viewer to look at taking risks, pioneering new intellectual and abstract ideas. This introduces the idea of faith to the viewer. Will he accept the idea that what is drawn on the page is real, or exists in some form since it appears in the image or is he skeptical since it is in fact a drawing. If he does believe that the image has some truth in it, then does this mean that there are other similar mysteries in nature like the black hole which are not drawn but still exist.

The image also inspires humility. Since it is so difficult to understand and place in the context of everyday life, it has an element of the wild, which the viewer cannot conquer or control. For the viewer to admit that the image has some sort of truthful value in nature is to admit that he cannot be absolutely in command of nature. The contrast between control of nature and an allowance for it to exist is a common theme brought up when discussing the relationship between science and nature. This image epitomizes the issues which arise: human desire for control and a sheer force of nature to create awe. It creates a jumping off point for inspiration. Perseverance, faith, humility, control, all of these ideas are married together in this drawing to create something which looks like fiction, but might actually exist. I cannot look at it without the itching desire to go and discover it in nature, or at least research more to find out what I can learn about the image, its creator, and other mysteries that I encounter in my life.

This image challenges the viewer and challenges society. It implies that humanity does not know and understand everything that exists in nature and is far from having control over the earth it inhabits let alone the cosmos. The lines are smooth, patterned, and controlled, but branch out in ways that imply the captioned object is untamed. Also, although the shape of the object is clearly a vortex, it is not made of any clearly identifiable objects or materials, hence it cannot be easily classified as an earthly object. The black background completes the picture of mystery, lacing the foreground of the image with a cloud of uncertainty and fear.

The image is not entirely an unsettling commentary on human dominance and superiority over the elements. It also addresses the issue of intellectual advancement. Will the reader simply look at the image as a sort of “pretty picture” or will he embrace the fact that it introduces themes that are of a pioneering nature. Like an image showing untamed frontiers of the wild American West, this image of a black hole establishes space as the newest land to explore and possibly conquer. Again the black background appears as an endless field of mystery and possibly wealth in the corporeal and academic sense. While much of the world is scrambling to maintain or exploit the resources available to mankind upon earth, this image asks the question if there are more available beyond the horizons and if so, what is humanity doing to explore and exploit them.

Finally, the image can also be read with religious versus scientific significance. It reawakens the creation myth debate and with it asks the reader to decide who or what the original artist of the black hole is, and whether the universe is a product of an omnipotent being, or all-encompassing process. Furthermore, the black hole challenges, or perhaps reaffirms the lack of control that the individual has over his own life and the information he receives. Almost all of the information released about space objects is controlled by researchers or the government. Should society be asked to present a united front on its views of the universe, or is it a matter of personal beliefs? The black hole becomes a rallying symbol for the human race to find commonality in species instead of specific beliefs, nations, languages, or cultures by introducing a much wider and different world which mankind has hardly begun to see and explore.

- Shannon McClintock

To me, this photo embodies the human urge to challenge nature wherever we can. This means we try to climb the tallest mountains, dive to the bottom of the ocean, and even fly into outer space. Not only do we pit ourselves against geographical features and our physical surroundings, we challenge our bodies to new feats of endurance and speed, and constantly broaden the reach of science and technology in terms of genomics, engineering, weapons, and many others. We always have to push the limits.

This constant refusal to be satisfied is causing problems already. We hear all the time how we are dooming ourselves into oblivion if we do not change the way we interact with nature on a global level soon.

This picture speaks to my personal belief that it is possible, or it will someday be possible, to live symbiotically with nature. By this I mean that I think there has to be a way for us to benefit from and appreciate nature, but also give back to nature or at least not damage it so the relationship will be a benefit to both parties. The picture shows nature looking pretty wild. It’s true that humans have left a mark on the land in the form of a trail, but it’s a narrow one that was designed to cause minimal impact on its surroundings. The hiker is clearly enjoying himself and being in the outdoors. I think it’s a good example of humans benefitting from nature, but also nature benefitting from humans, because trails such as these are engineered to protect the environment, while still letting us enjoy it. Think what we could do if we planned all our interactions with nature to do the same.

It seems to me as humans we’re the stewards of this planet and so it’s our responsibility to leave it the same or better as we found it. Since the arrival of the industrial age we haven’t been doing the best job, but I think it’s wrong to wallow in guilt and pessimism because we’re learning more every day about the effects we have on the environment and starting to make (slow) progress.

So the photo I chose not only illustrates the human instinct to conquer, but it also is hopeful because it shows that there can be a sustainable balance between people and nature. On a larger scale, our most recent presidential election has shown that pollution and energy issues are more important to our country than they have been before. This is also cause for hope, because it’s a step in the right direction. If we can turn the massive momentum of humanity away from the direction it’s been headed environment-wise and spin it around to work toward sustainability and balance with nature, I’m convinced that the same drive that brought us here will take us to our new goal. So there is an upside to our need to dominate our surroundings: I think the same instincts that played a part in causing us to make this environmental mess are the same ones that will keep scientists and ordinary people alike focused on these problems until we find solutions.

-Sarah Kaewert

Final Thoughts

These images inspire. Whether towards exploration, conservation, intellectual advancement, or natural awareness, both pictures present uplifting looks at the world which reveal its potential for beauty and its vast resources which have barely come near to being understood and appreciated by mankind, but they also illustrate a side of human nature that poses a threat to the environment. Despite the conflicts that may arise from studying the themes of dominance and the contrasts between humanity and nature, they both portray a sense of harmony, which is hopeful. Overall, they ask the viewer to carefully consider what role nature and also exploration have in his life, but still present an image and future of hope, where nature an man have the opportunity to work together towards betterment.

Questions

- Do the ends justify the means? Is exploration important enough that it should take precedent even over the possibility that the earth’s resources are being used and abused? Is it important enough to protect the earth (and potentially even the cosmos) such that mankind needs to focus less on expansion and instead look towards understanding nature before using its resources?

- Are these images academic or spiritual? Do they celebrate intellectual growth or question beliefs?

- Is it possible for us to turn our drive for exploration in the right direction (environmentally speaking) and change the way we live in relation with nature?

- If it is possible, do humans have the determination to make the changes that could be made?