SUNDAY NIGHT SLIDES
It's the same word that defines a division between people that means to make light energy move in a singular direction.
Polarised.
Oh, so oxymoronic.
That in itself is a fine example too.
Derived from the fusion of two Greek words; 'oxy' meaning sharp, keen or pointed and then 'moron' meaning dull, stupid or foolish ...enthusiastically ignorant, perhaps.
Not another fitting metaphor that, in momentarily excusing my unhelpfully facetious tone, articulates climate crisis deniers so poetically as: oxymorons, lol.
I digress.
Polarised light encourages growth
According to Dr. David Macht, in the 1926 edition of the Journal of Chemical Education, plants exposed to polarised light grow fuller at a faster rate than those exposed to ordinary light.
In fact, back in the '20s, polarised light was readily prescribed to anaemic geraniums and struggling ferns to encourage growth.
The Earth's predominant, naturally occurring source of polarised light comes from the Moon reflecting the Sun's rays (reflected light is almost always polarised), so it'll come as no surprise to hear that lunar gardening – an ancient practice still continued by the slower-lived communities of the Maoris in New Zealand, Native Americans & Hawaiians and people in parts of Eastern Europe – reaps predictably abundant produce like clockwork.
So much so that John Harris, humble Head Gardener of 50+ years at Cornwall's popular Tresillian Estate, has never watered his garden yet continues to win taste awards and show prizes for his produce.
Quite astonishing.
It's based on the premise that (similar to its effect on the oceans) during a full moon, water levels in the soil are at their highest, which is why it's prudent to plant during the first quarter (half full moon) to get the benefits of rising moisture. And in the last quarter of the moon’s cycle (half empty moon), when the water levels fall to their lowest, do the digging and natural fertilising of the soil.
A practice that's all-but-forgotten, or begrudgingly ignored, by modern-day farmers and gardeners under pressure to produce high volume crops all year round.
Polarised people discourage growth
There appears to be a widening polarisation of ideologies, more so in recent times, clearly exacerbated by a highly (un)sociable media; but should we just renounce to appeasement with alternatives or is there still hope of a united humankind?
A seemingly impossible question to answer.
Or simply the dissolution of ego?
For me, it comes down to the pride of belonging.
Not the competitive, self-righteous pride of belonging that's responsible for historically significant events like the extreme Germanic pride that led to the first world war, the extreme American pride that so easily threatened democracy in the most powerful country in the world, or the extreme British pride that led to... well, only time will tell on that one.
But the kind of pride that encourages strength in enlightening communities, working towards shared initiatives not just for population longevity but for economic prosperity too; like the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BES) that encompasses the following measures of:
Water availability
Water quality
Air pollution
Food provision
Habitat intactness
Timber provision
Pollination
Soil fertility
Local climate
Erosion control
Coastal protection.
But do they really contribute to wealth?
It's a resounding yes.
According to the 2020 Swiss Re Index, 55% of the global gross income (GDP) depends on a highly functioning BES, of which a fifth of all countries are currently in a fragile state.
Warning signs of worsening economies.
One social bias that'll need breaking down to dissolve antiquated, tribalistic identity-pride is that of Ethnocentrism:
"To apply one's own culture or ethnicity as a frame of reference to judge other cultures, practices, behaviors, beliefs, and people, instead of understanding the standards of the particular culture involved" – Ludwig Gumplowicz, Sociologist, c.1890
Education, then, being the polarised light most capable of reflecting the natural beauty of cultural diversity to encourage the growth of those living in a darkened state of supremacy.
Charlie
FEATURED SLIDE
WORTH WATCHING
"When you do get back to spending that time together, it’s like it was yesterday. I don’t think with those friends that you grow apart, it's just that you don’t have as much time together anymore. The quality of that time I don’t think changes.” – Svein Tuft.
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
In memory of Josh Taylor ❤️