Today began in a glorious manner ...
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Downtown St. Petersburg has a remarkably dark sky at night. It is a wonderful thing to begin the day within the nearly infinite expanse of the Universe and then watch the sun rise with its glory, surrounded by flying birds celebrating the new day.
The parrots and baby ducks were wonderful today, too. The Earth is such a beautiful planet it is difficult to comprehend why humankind hates it so very much.
A while ago when the news was reporting that Kodak Kodachrome was being discontinued someone commented in respose to that news that one reason why he was devoted to Kodachrome was its ability to survive for decades, perhaps centuries. A hundred years from now those photographs would remain beautiful.
I'm not so concerned about my photographs. Everything in life is temporary including life itself. A hundred years from now I don't want anyone looking at my photographs. A hundred years from now I want people to spend their time looking at these same birds, animals and ecosystems living and thriving.
The ospreys have survived for millions of years. They must continue to survive for millions of years into the future.
The parrots have survived for millions of years. They must continue to survive for millions of years into the future.
The mangroves have survived for millions of years. They must continue to survive for millions of years into the future.
For non-living things I have so such devotion ...
Civilization is approximately 12,000 years old. It could end today or tomorrow and I wouldn't shed a tear.
Technology of the modern energy-and-resource intensive sort is centuries old. It must and will end, soon. Once humankind runs out of energy and resources all of these technologies will pass away.
Photography is a little older than a century. Photography is enjoyable and photographs are beautiful but my devotion is to Nature and All-Life, not to the photographs.
***
If you want to know your future, I'll tell you ...
- After you live, you'll die.
- After you die, you'll be remembered and mourned briefly but life will go on.
- Eventually your name, your accomplishments and everything else about you will be forgotten forever.
Everything is passing away. Nothing whatsoever is eternal, immortal or enduring.
So it goes ...
David Mathews
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