Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Light, Time and Space

What is light and how does it correspond to matter? Let us ruminate on this phenomenon. Does light exist as a quantum of matter or does matter produce light as a counterbalancing force. It seems that matter is self-perpetuating by producing light to sustain itself. Light travels over millions of years from far-off galaxies to reach the planet and to touch our eyes. Why? We are also tanned by light and the sun is a light-giving and life-giving force. Light can save or it can destroy. It is also multi-faceted and can be reflected in multi-dimensional ways across a diverse spectrum. Why is light multi-dimensional and multi-colored? What are its components? Without light, we would not be able to see? The stars in the sky twinkle and exude light for our eyes to behold. It seems that matter is not only an organic element governed by an infinite number of material possibilities and dynamics, but also consumed by light and radiation. Light affects our pigment. Some animals tan, others do not. The skin that sheds on animals may be an outcome of thousands of years of evolution as light transforms their bodies. A chameleon can change the color of its skin and birds are often identified by their color. It doesn't seem that light can be captured in a bottle and is quite transparent. Which begs the question - is it matter or a concomitant mover. If the moon did not shine at night, the nights would be pitch black, thus hindering our ability to see. Plants and trees and leaves require a tremendous amount of light to exist and light is essential to photosynthesis. Thus, we consume light as a particle of food. How is the mover affected by light? Light can pierce our bodies or skin but how does it interact with the mover? If light did not exist, would the mover? But light is a quantum of time? It takes time for light to travel over great distances. The mover seems independent of time. Is the mover and light interrelated and how? Does the origin of light within a material universe a metaphysical oxymoron. Is light a precursor to matter, time and matter, itself and does it govern our material hypotheticals? Does our sun govern our material obligations in any way? Does light spin the wheels of the mover as it exists in a material realm? Does the mover exist in light? This recalls countless, biblical analogies that solemnize the value of night and day, light and dark. Thus, the mover as an indemnity of matter should recognize the existence and infinitude of light. One thing is certain - light is everywhere. Ergo, the process of illumination often governs our academic and civic way of lives. If we demote our livelihood to darkness, then we undermine the value of light and become hypocritical movers. Light cannot be denied and should be recognized as omnipresent. Is light intelligent? When a bulb lights up, we credit Thomas Edison as the inventor. The bulb does not capture light but only magnifies existing light that is not turned on, so to speak. The photons or electrons have not been charged or transmitted through a proper channel. We should consider light with a more colossal possibility. If we can place light in a bulb or jar, then why not consider a bigger jar that transmits a larger quotient of light. The spectrum expands, producing considerable more material possibilities. Matter once again seems finite. It can only go so far to advance the components of light. Is light form? As a quantum of matter, it can be advanced as form. When matter interacts with matter to procreate and light is transferable to produce a desired or determined result, can we also postulate, that light is conscionable or self-knowing. How does it know and what causes such knowledge? Consider a dirty glass window and a clean glass window. Light transmitted through a dirty glass window would be immensely distorted, obscured, or misfigured, whereas a clean glass window, will reflect that same light in a more clear, holistic and molecular way. But light also seems persistent and a dirty glass window would not retard light altogether but place a temporary block like blinds on office windows. The light is persistent. Whereas, a a dirty old man, or homeless person may seem uncouth and dull, the mover within who is independent of that physical state, may still embody light in a holistic way. Light is illusory or can produce illusions, delusions and dreamlike thinking. When the blinds are lifted, then the light that pierces through can vanquish darkness like vampires. We should focus on light when we consider the journey of the mover.

Monday, June 21, 2010

A Follow-up to my Email to the Wildlife Conservation Society

A Positive Follow-up:

Let me extend my appreciation to WCS for my recent wildlife experience at the Queens Zoo. I visited the Queens Zoo, after visiting the Bronx Zoo, and the experience was vastly different. The educational aspects, the overall conservation, and family friendly environment were impressive. Obviously the Queens Zoo is at the center of a transportation hub and there is pollution to contend with but here at the Queens Zoo, the wildlife seemed more healthy and peaceful. I especially liked the petting zoo, which could be expanded with the acquisition of additional open space where children may be allowed to ride ponies or horses for a more personalized experience. While I did not enter the aviary, it was a nice aspect, and the walking trail was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the pumas and the sea lions (this exhibit was inspirational), most of all. I still don't understand why the eagles don't take off (they don't seem to be confined) but I leave that to the good
judgment of the conservationists. Eagles are very majestic and as a theoretician, I often reflect on eagles in my writings and support their conservation but importantly, the reintegration to their natural habitat. Birds can often outlive other species and we should do everything we can to promote their well-being, freedom and procreation. Again, reintegration is very important and interchanging wildlife exhibits should be seriously considered. Wildlife thrives in the wild. I was displeased with the tiger enrichment at the Bronx Zoo, mainly because I thought that feeding the tigers by hurling cardboard boxes over the fence was very inappropriate and seemed crass. That really sends out the wrong message and shows that conservation is hands-off and primitive. I hope the Bronx will work hard to make improvements and WCS will continue to be a positive enterprise devoted to ongoing conservation.

Keep up the great work,


- AJ

PS: I'd like to add the Polar Bear to my list of discontented animals below. These creatures are truly displaced and deserve to be in their natural habitat which offers an ideal, natural environment for their perpetuation. This polar bear seemed very annoyed.

I am also disenchanted with the WCS Website. I think it's a bit degrading and uses too much negative language and imagery. This is not an attractive way to promote conservation. We should not frame wildlife with statements that harp negatively on their endangered or threatened status. A positive message should be sent to the public - positive words and photos should be used - that wildlife has a chance for success and conservation is making a strong impact. Indeed, animals are instinctual - and have a sense of their own state (free or captive), well-being and how they are being cared for. WCS should be mindful of how they interact with wildlife on every level and every aspect of our conservation effort should be cognizant of how wildlife is portrayed in the media or to our guests. We should not undermine the well-being of the wildlife or its natural integrity to meet funding needs or to kowtow to donors - funding needs are integral to positive
outcomes. I hope this is improved.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

A Letter to the Bronx Zoo

To Whom It May Concern at the Bronx Zoo and Someone Who Might Listen:

I hope you're off to a great summer. My name is AJ Naseem. I am a professional blogger, writer, freelancer and educational filmmaker and musician. Formerly, I was a museum professional and development specialist for several non-profit organizations and am writing to you as a professional researcher and activist. I visited the Bronx Zoo recently and wanted to follow-up with some general and specific thoughts. Why? Because, I had very strong feelings concerning the wildlife at the Bronx Zoo that I wanted to share with someone who might listen and take appropriate action.

I also write a professional blog devoted to many things including spirituality and the coexistence of matter within overall space and often, use wildlife analogies to underline some of my metaphysical points. Thus, my trip to the zoo this year was largely driven by my work in this area and served as an anthropological field study. The main thrust of my work discusses the critical need to realize the temporal nature of matter and how it coexists within a three dimensional world, and thus carries out defined material obligations, when no material obligation need be defined as a factor of time, thus promulgating the importance of a mover or supernatural life force. Animals who are often restricted to their material obligations seem to embody a lesser will for abstinence from those material obligations and this is often cited in my work. Thus, my trip to the zoo was highly enlightening and sentimental.

I am concerned. I think zoological societies and conservation efforts are very important but they can often be excessive, exaggerated and mismanaged. As a meta-physician, I strongly believe that animals belong in the wild where they can live out their material obligations as defined by their supernatural material obligations that ultimately govern their worldly existence. An animal in a cage is indeed contradictory. However, birds and other creatures that live peaceably in mild containment can often thrive and seem happier. Wildlife in the wild are indeed happy if left alone to prosper. My concern is mainly with several animals at the zoo in particular.

1) The lion - my impression was that this king of the jungle seemed to me highly irritable in his captive state. Thus, I feel very strongly that this particular lion or pride should be relocated from the zoo immediately. They don't seem happy and I sensed a longing for the wild. Any animal or creature that is subject to intense, and prolonged commercial and public observation can grow irritable, confused and hostile. Seeing an animal in such hostile conditions is unacceptable and is anti-educational. This lion and his family should be removed from captivity and WCS should consider very strongly to interchange wildlife exhibits at the zoo to ensure that the wildlife are not abused or overly exposed. They deserve their freedom.

2) One of the tigers (the elder) also seemed tired and profoundly disenchanted with her surroundings. This tiger should be returned to the wild or plans should be made to ensure a proper transition to the wild. Conservationists at WCS should be engaged in wildlife replenishment as they do in wildlife enrichment. The animals should be allowed to roam in their natural habitats for extended periods of time or reintegrated into the wild once their conservational needs are met.

3) The gorillas seemed content. But these animals also must be interchanged and WCS should globalize its operations better (work with NGO's, African nations and other governments) to ensure the interchangeability of its wildlife exhibits.

I hope this is taking place. As a former museum professional, I have a deep understanding of curatorship and conservation. I have also been involved in conservation efforts and know its significance but strongly endorse replenishment and reintegration as part of wildlife conservation. Every effort should be made to ensure that this is taking place. Extinction should be redefined and a metaphysical perspective should be considered. When wildlife cannot fulfill material obligations as defined by their material makeup, then conservation can often be antithetical. We need to interchange and reintegrate wildlife at the Bronx Zoo to ensure a worthwhile experience for visitors, more content, safe, and protected wildlife and a more conservational and metaphysical-friendly environment. If this is overlooked, then conservation is falling severely short. You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink holds true more than ever when material
obligations are considered. I encourage you to read some of my work in this area (knowingcafe.blogspot.com/2009/07/knowing-cafe.html) and perhaps redefine the conservation work taking place at the Bronx Zoo and its counterparts. An animal is nocturnal or a squirrel burrows and forages and can do nothing else but fulfill a highly defined set of material obligations that are inextricable to its being (what it is) and its willfulness to do otherwise is undermined whereas a human being, as part of a material coexistence can engage in right and wrong behaviors. When the element of time is removed, we realize that only the mover persists and matter seems to be a mere remnant of a material existence that is highly separable from a less palpable, transitory or temporal existence that inspires us to understand the supernatural better that may hold even more greater material and supernatural promises.