The Futurist: Don't forget Mother Nature

I am a technologist. If you read my posts, replies, or responses on many different social media sites, you'll see that I have and continue pursuing information in technology. But today, I wanted to share a slightly different type of essay. I want to talk about a return to nature. First, let me be clear that I am not advocating the abolition of modern society or returning to the societies of the past that lived in harmony with nature. Because, truly, humans don't live in harmony with nature.

Human beings are predators. As predators, we don't always understand the harmony that is nature. When I wish to speak about today, what I'm thinking about and have been thinking about for a while is the reality of the indoor culture. One of my favorite quotes from the television show The Big Bang Theory is Sheldon Cooper's statement why would I go outdoors? Human beings have been protected indoors for thousands of years. The reality is there is a wide range of ways to go outdoors. There is a whole wide world beyond your window.

It's simple. It is, however, something that many of us forget. We, as human beings, are part of nature. I am publishing this on April 8, 2024, on purpose. If you look up in the sky in many parts of the US today, you will see a full (if you are in the path of totality) or partial solar eclipse. Only, by the way, look at the sun with proper protective gear. Also, only point your cameras or telescopes directly at the sun with proper protective gear and technology. That is the majesty and wonder of the universe around us. So, on April 8, if you are in the US or any other country in North and Central America, it is a chance to see that partial eclipse. That is the power of connecting with nature again.

Then, step back and consider the amazing reality of the world around us—the world outside of our climate-controlled bubbles. I do not personally live outside of my climate-controlled bubble. But I make sure to go outside that bubble every day—the reason for going outside is to be part of nature. I'm not going to wax poetic about the impact of nature on the world around us. You can hear the impact of nature by opening your window and listening to the birds sing. The concept is quite simple. Nature is a part of us. There is unbelievable magic when the sun begins its ascent during the day, or what we call sunrise. Seeing the first rays of the star that heats our planet as they come over the horizon is amazing. Watching the sunset in the Western sky at the end of the day is amazing. I'm overusing the word amazing. I realize that, but there isn't another word that describes the sheer majesty of sunrises and sunsets.

I do understand the siren call of indoors. Open your front door and walk outside into the fresh air. Smell the spring flowers as they rise from the ground. It is stunning, just as far as flowers that lived underground five months of the year and then expectantly and hopefully rise well. We are part of nature. It matters whether we are or are not outside. So take a moment through that front door, take 100 steps away from your house, and look around you. Look at the expectations that nature brings with each new leaf on a tree. Wonder at the majesty and gracefulness of the squirrel as it leaps from branch to branch. Thank you, dog, for a walk. Your dog will enjoy nature. Your dog will sniff, look, and wonder at the majesty of the world around you. Take that cue from the dog and wonder at the magic of nature around you.

The why of going out in nature is very simple. I will end with that: Click. You reconnect to a part of yourself when you are outside in nature. Yes, we have worked thousands of years to improve yours. Yes, many mosquitoes can be very annoying. But that is part of nature. And we are part of nature as well.