When we talk about our plants, we often use short-hand pronouns. Momma might say, “Isn’t this Sweet-shrub fragrant?” and I reply, “It sure is wonderful.” But the ‘it’ pronoun bothers me because it seems dismissive, equating my plant to an inanimate thing. And we know that plants are really three genetically different organisms that have melded over a billion years. The three cannot live independently today, but scientists can still see their distinct genetic profiles.
I have often wondered if our microbiome is a whole being of some kind on its own in our bellies or maybe its just the whos living in whoville???! We are Horton and better not drop it.
Very good essay. The role of cooperation, as opposed to competition, in natural selection has been very much underestimated in western evolutionary studies. Yet we now see it as just as important and in some cases much more important. Darwin was a Victorian, and his interpretations of nature were influenced by his times, so his theory of natural selection mirrored the Victorian world of empire, capitalism and dominance (not to say Darwin ignored cooperation and symbiosis; it just wasn't given much weight). In early socialist Russia, on the other hand, Prince Kropotkin and others saw cooperation everywhere, and the promotion by Lynn Margulis of the theory of the symbiotic origin of eukaryotic cells was strongly influenced by those writings. Now we know that both factors play a role in evolution.
My Wife was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease when she was 52 years old 4 years ago. The levodopa did very little to help her. The medical team did even less. Her decline was rapid and devastating. It was muscle weakness at first, then her hands and tremors. Last year, a family friend told us about Natural Herbs Centre and their successful Parkinson’s Ayurveda TREATMENT, we visited their website www .naturalherbscentre .com and ordered their Parkinson’s Ayurveda protocol, i am happy to report the treatment effectively treated and reversed her Parkinson’s disease, most of her symptoms stopped, she is able to walk and her writing is becoming great, sleep well and exercise regularly., she is pretty active now
I have often wondered if our microbiome is a whole being of some kind on its own in our bellies or maybe its just the whos living in whoville???! We are Horton and better not drop it.
Better take care of it! It is us.
So true!!
Jenks, I really enjoy the way you make your readers always think. I would have never considered plants having the correct pronouns.
Very good essay. The role of cooperation, as opposed to competition, in natural selection has been very much underestimated in western evolutionary studies. Yet we now see it as just as important and in some cases much more important. Darwin was a Victorian, and his interpretations of nature were influenced by his times, so his theory of natural selection mirrored the Victorian world of empire, capitalism and dominance (not to say Darwin ignored cooperation and symbiosis; it just wasn't given much weight). In early socialist Russia, on the other hand, Prince Kropotkin and others saw cooperation everywhere, and the promotion by Lynn Margulis of the theory of the symbiotic origin of eukaryotic cells was strongly influenced by those writings. Now we know that both factors play a role in evolution.
Thank you! You’re the person who’s response I thought about the whole time I was getting this one ready!
My Wife was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease when she was 52 years old 4 years ago. The levodopa did very little to help her. The medical team did even less. Her decline was rapid and devastating. It was muscle weakness at first, then her hands and tremors. Last year, a family friend told us about Natural Herbs Centre and their successful Parkinson’s Ayurveda TREATMENT, we visited their website www .naturalherbscentre .com and ordered their Parkinson’s Ayurveda protocol, i am happy to report the treatment effectively treated and reversed her Parkinson’s disease, most of her symptoms stopped, she is able to walk and her writing is becoming great, sleep well and exercise regularly., she is pretty active now
Thank you David. I know some one who really needs your comment. I just forwarded it. I'm so happy for you all too.