Simply noticing and recording the disturbing trends of a degraded world is a virtue of science and all those practicing it. The process reveals a lot of information about the world around us. But information alone is not enough to mobilize action on the scale required to make that world a healthier and more desirable place for our children. A set of political relationships with this, that, or the other political party is not enough. Nor are relationships in the marketplace. Nor a broad appeal to beauty. In the video clip below, the writer Carl Safina speaks about the kind of relationship he believes is required.

Lately, in preparation for a behavioral sequence we hope to record, I have been studying the behavior of dragonflies (fig. 1 in our production logo). Our local dragonfly expert is Bob Grobe, who was generous enough to come over a few weeks back and share some of what he knows. The other night was a particularly rich one for dragonflies. The light was fading. I looked up and saw dozens on the patrol, rapidly seeking -then catching- mosquitoes. So many above that I could hear a faint roar, like a miniature air force. Before and after the use of DDT, dragonflies have long had the assignment of pest control. One of the species many tasks in its supposed 300 million year existence. I wonder what dragonflies did when they were the size of great black-backed gulls? Fossil records indicate that one had a 2.5 foot wide wingspan. That’s scary. Something fierce is within these amazing creatures.

As a visual person, I’m also astounded at the complexity and omniscience of their eyes. For starters, they see 360 degrees. 30,000 individual lens, all sending light information to the brain about the world around it. All around it. Is everything in focus? I wonder. And imagine the complexity of those brains, to integrate and process all that data… and then move from information to task.

My reading also reveals a curious story -source uncertain- that dragonflies were once believed to deter children from spending time outdoors. Apparently, they sewed shut the eyelids of the bold child who dared to sleep out under the stars.

I am reminded of what Cal DeWitt said to me about science. “Science is a way of knowing, a process, not a body of knowledge in its own right.” Many are in consensus on this point, but this agreement is often overlooked or misunderstood in the essential dialogue that needs to happen between scientists and people of faith. People of faith, of course, look at faith as a way of knowing the world -in part- but also as much, much more. This clip from Ed Wilson is a thought on how science can address the human degradations of the earth.

It seems that science, as a procedure-of-observation, should be considered the essential map of WHAT changes are happening and WHAT to do to about them. But I believe that scientific information alone will not reverse the ways that humans are wrecking the planet. Faith communities are essential for this reversal to happen.

Pardon the break in blogging…. now back. Our inquiry into America’s divorce from nature takes us squarely to the discussion of how to talk about nature, how to talk about the Creation, in language that makes sense to all involved. Two weeks ago, co-producer Josie Merck and I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Carl Safina. This was my second conversation with Carl. He is a keen thinker and writer who helps communicate the observations and conclusions of scientists who are working with the world’s oceans. Trained as a scientist himself, Carl understands this community and the significance of scientific procedure and findings. Our interview took place on the beach of Long Island Sound in front of the house of one of Carl’s gracious neighbors. We were way out at the tip of Long Island, near the town of Montauk. These are waters Carl has also spent a lot of time exploring as a fisherman.

Anyone who fishes or hunts or spends a lot of time outside knows the importance of patient observation. To care, no other training is required. If patient observation is done repeatedly by many people, in many different conditions, many common points of reference begin to emerge. On the ocean, these reference points might be noticing what fish show up in what waters…or… how often? What happens after a big rainfall? These kinds of common references are why experienced fishermen can talk with experienced marine biologists. If either has NOT put in the time outdoors, the conversation suffers and breaks down. Fishermen and scientists can also talk with people of faith about the ocean. If both care about Creation, and care enough to put in the time to know it, the conversation is fruitful. More than fruitful, I believe. This dialogue is essential. The right thing to do.

Carl shared the following with us:
“What is our relationship with the rest of what “IS” ? with the rest of Creation -if you wish- or the rest of the universe? Scientists are still trying to figure that out. Religious people are still trying to figure that out. The divergence has come because some scientists think that the answers and explanations don’t include a theological component. But what we’re really interested in still has a lot of overlap.”

How to work alongside people who think and believe differently than you do? Is it always east goes east and west goes west? On some issues, yes. But on many other issues that are significant to the future well being of life on earth, I believe the reality is more like an actual exploratory hike through the landscape. Navigating around a steep hill causes an easterly course. Walking along a pond sends you more to the north. Science -as a way of picking up information- gives indicators along the way. For the faithful, the bible is a field handbook. In the clip below, Cal presents one biblical teaching which demonstrates that non-believers can be approached to do important common work on this hike. Likewise, in E.O. Wilson’s letter to a pastor (his book THE CREATION), he demonstrates his own approach of common alliance.