It seems that everything in this world is interconnected. Everything is related and has a purpose. Humans have a purpose, though to narrow down what specifically that is would be rather difficult. However, animals also have a purpose. Animals have these automatic instilled routines that is the central reason for their life and their actions throughout the day.
Jakob von Uexkull discusses perception on a level that I never even knew existed or mattered. " Life is not just about matter or how it immediately interacts with itself, but also how the matter acts with interconnected systems that include organisms in their separately perceiving worlds." Uexkull later goes on saying these perceived worlds are incomplete. I think what Uexkull is trying to get at is that the world each human lives in is very different from the world another may experience. Because perception varies so drastically by each person, life experiences also contrast.Ultimately, altering perception.
The same goes for animals. Even though all animals are living and have some sort of role to fulfill their duties to survive and thrive, it is rather difficult to compare two animals of different species and the world they may experience. Uexkull uses the comparison on honeybees and their role within their breed and dynamics pertaining to the the upkeep of their hive. These honeybees go on a misson in search of necessities the hive may need. When they find what they are looking for such as pollen, water, or nectar, they return back to the hive and communicate through spitting and dancing to inform the other bees. This has become their life, and form of communication. This is the honeybees world. To maintain the nest and follow orders from the queen bee, since bees work in a hierarchy fashion. The honeybee's perception on the world merely consists on their ability to thrive which reflects the how well they have been maintaining their hive. Bees aren't concerned with anything else in the world, their perception is very narrow, Uexkull would say incomplete.
Every organism has an incomplete perception. Primarily because every role in life is different than one another. It's a difficult, and at times an unreal concept to fathom knowing that each organism has a purpose and the world they know is so limited, obviously the goes for humans, Uexkull stated that humans think they perceive so much, but in actuality doctors and scientists still see and understand such a limited amount of the world, primarily because we all have separately perceiving worlds that are inevitable.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
"Animals are Mere Machines?"
"An Animals Place" by Micheal Pollan reaches the sad yet truthful relationship humans have with animals. Not a pet dog, but truly animals. The pig at the farm. Pollan used the analogy of half of American's dog population will receive Christmas presents, however little consider the life of a pig, an equally intelligent animal. There has become a disconnect with animals that provide us nourishment. It's assumed our meat comes for the grocery store rather than a farm. When this disconnect is present it takes away any sense of emotion that could be tied to animal welfare.
Pollan goes on acknowledging our countries that have taken on animal rights first hand. Europe, Germany in particular has granted animals a constitutional right. England banned farming animals for fur. The European progression is vast. Though it takes America more time to adapt to change, we are transforming. Pollan mentions McDonalds and Burger King improving the US Meat Industry. Food Inc also mentions this when they are discussing organics with the Wal-Mart buyers. If the demand is there, businesses will seek to meet it. It may take awhile, but it's going to happen.
Pollan later goes on discussing the concept of Animal Liberation. This topic appeals to me in a very interesting way. Probably because I am not so sure what my stance is. " The very existence of predation–animals eating animals." I have never actually thought of this when considering going vegetarian or vegan. I was vegan for approximately 6 months. My reasoning for this was primarily a healthier diet and after reading a book called, Skinny Bitch. Similar to Pollan it discussed animal rights and health aspects of a vegan diet. Anyhow, animals were designed when in their natural state to survive and thrive which leads to eating other animals-- "the intrinsic evil in nature’s design." It is a messed up thought being designed to eat another being, but it's nature; I don't think I could ever argue altering natures natural path, the ecological role.
One concept I learned from a philosopher at a young age was that the difference between humans and animals is that we have the ability to reason. I have interpreted this as, we humans have an obligation to not only thrive but to allow others to thrive as well. Allow nature to thrive. Allow animals to thrive. In order to do this ethics and humanity play a huge role. In order to create a much more coherent universe we need to consider our emotions and the emotions of other beings, such as animals. It's important to treat a pig well, because a pig's emotional state affects it's health. Health can be linked to a lot of different aspects within a pigs body, but when it does come time to consume this meat, who wants to eat a depressed pig that was treated awfully and lived in a dark and dirty factory. I will always choose to eat a pig that lived a happy life. Happiness is key, and it's our duty and humans that have the ability to reason, to do our part and protect those that don't have a voice.
Pollan goes on acknowledging our countries that have taken on animal rights first hand. Europe, Germany in particular has granted animals a constitutional right. England banned farming animals for fur. The European progression is vast. Though it takes America more time to adapt to change, we are transforming. Pollan mentions McDonalds and Burger King improving the US Meat Industry. Food Inc also mentions this when they are discussing organics with the Wal-Mart buyers. If the demand is there, businesses will seek to meet it. It may take awhile, but it's going to happen.
Pollan later goes on discussing the concept of Animal Liberation. This topic appeals to me in a very interesting way. Probably because I am not so sure what my stance is. " The very existence of predation–animals eating animals." I have never actually thought of this when considering going vegetarian or vegan. I was vegan for approximately 6 months. My reasoning for this was primarily a healthier diet and after reading a book called, Skinny Bitch. Similar to Pollan it discussed animal rights and health aspects of a vegan diet. Anyhow, animals were designed when in their natural state to survive and thrive which leads to eating other animals-- "the intrinsic evil in nature’s design." It is a messed up thought being designed to eat another being, but it's nature; I don't think I could ever argue altering natures natural path, the ecological role.
One concept I learned from a philosopher at a young age was that the difference between humans and animals is that we have the ability to reason. I have interpreted this as, we humans have an obligation to not only thrive but to allow others to thrive as well. Allow nature to thrive. Allow animals to thrive. In order to do this ethics and humanity play a huge role. In order to create a much more coherent universe we need to consider our emotions and the emotions of other beings, such as animals. It's important to treat a pig well, because a pig's emotional state affects it's health. Health can be linked to a lot of different aspects within a pigs body, but when it does come time to consume this meat, who wants to eat a depressed pig that was treated awfully and lived in a dark and dirty factory. I will always choose to eat a pig that lived a happy life. Happiness is key, and it's our duty and humans that have the ability to reason, to do our part and protect those that don't have a voice.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Anthropomorphism in Short Stories
During our creative projects, I was absolutely amazed with the anthropomorphism the short stories portrayed. The ability and power these stories hold on someones emotions is mammoth. It was almost like watching a movie, these stories kept the reader engaged throughout the duration.
One that reached out to me in a strong way was the lonely goldfish. Maybe this is because it had a less than pleasant ending. However, it seems a little ironic that out of all the stories we heard this one in particular left the greatest impact. I've never owned a fish or have even really considered them an emotional creature. Yet, in this story I nearly cried.
I suppose a well written story can reach an entirely new audience like myself. Anthropomorphising this little gold fish was a perfect way for me to realize fish have feelings too. The power stories hold and the ability they have to affect individual's thoughts and emotions is truly bewildering; sometimes even more effective than films.
One that reached out to me in a strong way was the lonely goldfish. Maybe this is because it had a less than pleasant ending. However, it seems a little ironic that out of all the stories we heard this one in particular left the greatest impact. I've never owned a fish or have even really considered them an emotional creature. Yet, in this story I nearly cried.
I suppose a well written story can reach an entirely new audience like myself. Anthropomorphising this little gold fish was a perfect way for me to realize fish have feelings too. The power stories hold and the ability they have to affect individual's thoughts and emotions is truly bewildering; sometimes even more effective than films.
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