Deus ex machina.

(click title for some sort of explanation as to why I chose those words)

Probably more words have been expended on “god” than any other subject .. so here are a few more.

As regular readers are aware, have signed up for my small part in the “Trees for Life” project. That, and recent readings of various blogs has prompted me to think about it yet again.

Like most people – I presume – have to admit to a sort of dis-association between “reality” and the “metaphysical”. A longish subject in itself, but am not a fluent typist (typer?) so takes a long time to type anything lengthy. [am not affluent enough to spend all day at it, either – but that's a different subject :)] Some people think in pictures; I mostly think in endless strings of words, but the ability to convert the electrical impulses from brain synapses down through neck, both shoulders, arms, hands, fingers – and onto a keyboard [bit like trying to run a railway network] – is not well embedded. Talk? The connection between brain and vocal chords? Oh yes, much shorter distance and has been trained and developed into habitual fluency since I was 6-8 months old – though the ability to vocalise is instinctive, built in before birth. [bet that you could skwark! before you could see.]

I “know” what I can “see”.

These are seeds of the Allocasuarina verticillata – Drooping Sheoak. They transform themselves from there, into this -

Then this -

And eventually this.


How do they do it? Well, I “know” how they do it. Have read several Botany and Biology books. Each seed is composed of cells. Each cell is composed of chemicals, molecules, atoms. An atom is a chunk of discrete energy. Combinations of chemicals form hormones. Hormones trigger recombinations of molecules. Recombinations of molecules form different cells. Different cells recombine to form the building blocks for the shape of stems and leaves. The “blueprint” for the eventual shape is controlled by genes.

But this is where it becomes difficult to comprehend. Yes, I have “seen” a cell – something denied previous generations prior to the discovery of glass; and how to shape it into a lens – but have never “seen” a molecule nor atom. Have to take that bit of information on “trust”. Do I “believe” it .. yes, much as “primitive” tribes “believed” what they were told by their local “medicine men” (or women).

Have also “seen” a brain – both in a jar, and the pinkish-grey, blood-veined mass in the opened skull of a newly-slain sheep. But .. have never seen a “thought”? What is a “thought”? Do sheep have thoughts? Do sheep believe in “god”?

While I understand that WE, rocks and stones; as well as humans, animals, insects, amoebas; and flora – all living things – are mostly a recognisable and stable collection of cells, chemicals and hormones .. the ever swirling combinations of which produce reactions which we call “emotions”.. still have trouble understanding “thoughts” and “imagination”.




The images and word-strings that sometimes rise un-bidden from the sub-conscious. [Imagination is yet another complex and fascinating subject. For thousands of years it was firmly “believed” that it was impossible to fly .. until technology(and expanded communication) allowed it.. From there, imagination expanded exponentially – so, now it won't be long before mankind sets foot on Mars .. and beyond.]

And so, cutting a long story short .. I personally have no wish, nor desire to poke, prod – HAMMER - the Allocasuarina seeds into separate fragments, cells, chemicals, molecules, atoms .. and beyond

as THIS..


..

..












is not a tree
that I would desire to see,
growing
near me.