Category Archives: From the Mind of Muggington

Inside the mind of a tortoise

From the Mind of Muggington, nature is awe inspiring, nature is awesome

We have two red-footed tortoises.  You might think that tortoises are not the brightest of animals but I beg to differ.  Over the years the behavior that I’ve seen indicates that they might be quite clever.

The tortoises’ home is a large aquarium.  Inside there are two stone water dishes and a stone food dish.  In addition there are two hollow log shaped wood objects.  These pieces of wood are easily movable by the tortoises.  I believe that they use these movable objects in attempt to communicate with us.

For example, I tried an early experiment where I placed a computer monitor that played video next to the aquarium.  I thought it might be entertaining to them.  What did the tortoises do?  They erected a barrier that was obviously meant to block the view of the computer.  I suspect that the computer and monitor also produced sound that might have irritated them.  As soon as I turned off the computer and monitor they took down their barrier.

There have been many other examples of the tortoises doing things that appear to be attempts to get our attention and to change our behavior.  They have ways to indicate that they want fresh water or fresh food, and that they wish to go out into the yard.  They also make a variety of sounds by moving things and using their mouths.

Sometimes at night I check on them and they are both awake and alert in the dark.  What are they thinking, sitting in the dark?  Do they have a mental life?  Can they entertain themselves?  Can they communicate with each other?

Tortoises live for many years compared to other animals.  Do they learn, develop culture, and mental skills?

I’d like to imagine that they have a rich intellectual tradition and that they are having learned discussions late at night.

Who knows, maybe tortoises could teach us a thing or two.

 

Loons in the pond!

From the Mind of Muggington, nature is awe inspiring, nature is awesome, Spring

This morning I struggled to come up with something to write.  I gazed out the window and saw them.  Four loons are in the pond today, hooray!  The curve of their necks and shape of their heads is so distinct.  It is a pleasure seeing them dive and then waiting and watching to see where they will pop up.

Yesterday I saw another animal that I haven’t seen for months.  At the edge of the pond a young muskrat nibbled on green shoots.  I stopped to watch and it stared at me for a few seconds and then it went back to its leafy treat, seemingly unconcerned with my presence.
This is a great time of the year to get out and soak in the sunshine.

Rainy day

From the Mind of Muggington

The rain is pounding down.  We need a good soaking in order to get Spring started.  A male swan is the only bird on the pond.  His mate is huddled next to the boardwalk on a nest of sticks and grass.

We need to find other materials for our roads, sidewalks and other paving.  It would be great if they were porous in order to reduce runoff.  Maybe the nanotechnologists will help with that.

What a boring post this is.  The muse must be cranky this morning since she refuses to make me a visit.

 

 

 

A wish for all

From the Mind of Muggington

When I write I have a view of a park. All sorts of people visit and take the short walk around the pond.

Today I saw something I wish everyone in the world could have. It’s more priceless than diamonds, gold or platinum. I wish it for young and old, rich and poor.

Four young people came into my view. They had the unmistakable features of Down’s syndrome. Obviously someone brought them to the park on this sunny day.

I turned back to my keyboard but something caught my eye. I paused and watched the young people. The young man in the group had a huge smile on his face and every few steps he would do a little dance. At the same time he waved and twisted his hands.  His simple dance delighted the others.  The joy on all of their faces was obvious.

I wish everyone could have this same experience.

Why is it so difficult for so many people to cast off the weight of the world?  Why can’t we help each other find joy and delight instead of battling to accumulate more than we could ever possibly need?

Humans are so smart but …

From the Mind of Muggington

We all know that humans are exceptional.  As far as we know there are no other forms of life that are as conscious as we are.  One important aspect of humans is that many  have decided not to live with nature but instead they are determined to conquer it.  Amazingly, in spite of setbacks, it seems that scientists and engineers are succeeding in this audacious effort.  As a result the advance of technology appears to be inexorable.  There is no end in sight.  As long as humans get off Earth and successfully colonize other worlds it should continue for a long, long time.

However, even though we appear to have the ability to increase our control of the natural world it is ironic that we show no signs of being able to control ourselves and our fellow humans.  Have we made progress in the way we live together?  After millions of years of evolution we still get angry and fight with each other.  We hurt ourselves and each other in so many ways and on different scales.  Unfortunately I do not see the same trend of progress occurring with regard to our social interactions.  It appears that there is a disconnect between our technology advancement and our progress in improving our minds and societies.

It is odd that we can be so powerful in one arena and helpless in others.  Our ability to develop technology tools may be moot if we do not learn how to live with each other.  I would posit that this is the biggest problem in our world today.

The Technology Trap

From the Mind of Muggington

Technology is wonderful.  We can watch movies, videos, and listen to any music we want, any time.  So why is this a problem?

Two things cannot occupy the same volume and space at the same time.  When you are watching or listening to someone else’s creation you have have displaced other possibilities.  The more passive consumption you engage in, the less you will create and contribute.

The bottom line is this:  Take out the ear buds, click off the television and leave your phone and laptop.

Pick up a pen, a brush, a musical instrument.  Take a walk, flex some muscles and carry out a task.  Make a difference in the world.

Bricks

From the Mind of Muggington

Yesterday on the train I was watching the world go by and I noticed bricks, millions of them.  So many buildings around New York City were built out of those oblong objects.  Just think, hands carefully placed each one.  Where are all those bricklayers now?

I did some research and found that bricks have been used since 7500 BC.  New buildings appear to be mostly made of prefabricated materials.  I wonder how many people know how to lay bricks?  Is it a dying art?  I hope not.

Aging

From the Mind of Muggington

I watched a movie last night, Amour, about the inevitability of aging.  It was very sad but I wish all young people could see it.  Maybe it would plant a seed that would bear fruit later when they confront similar situations.

Empathy is one of the hallmarks of being human.  It is possible that some other animals feel for others.  Perhaps dogs, primates or maybe even an octopus shed a tear or its equivalent for their fellow creatures.

Most humans can feel the suffering of others when it is thrust in front of their noses. When pain and suffering strike ourselves or our loved ones, of course we want help.  Why then do we deny succor to others?  Why do so many hurt, neglect and ignore the pain of others?

It may be that selfishness is an innate trait of all animals and its purpose it to ensure individual survival.  When this self-interest overpowers our innate empathy for others we cease to act as humans. Is this why we have never-ending wars, cruelty and suffering?  Is this why our society does not care for the elderly or the poor?

 

 

 

New Day in the Park

From the Mind of Muggington, nature is awe inspiring, nature is awesome

Finally the weather is giving us a break.  Bright sunshine streams onto the pond.  I am watching a small flock of diving ducks.  They always make me smile when I see their oversize Mohawk shaped heads.

I see a few joggers and others strolling around the pond.  Of course the “bird lady” is there.  She is a hefty older woman who lugs a big shiny camera around the park.  She is there most days taking endless photos of the birds, the pond and the water.

There he goes!  Walking the power line like a tightrope walker.  He follows an intricate path of wires and trees limbs to cross the busy street in front of my house.  I’m amazed at how clever the grey squirrels are.

The leaves still cover the lawn.  They’ve been flattened and crushed by the weight of ice and snow.  I’m confident that the grass will fight its way through eventually although maybe that is just a way of avoiding the hours of raking that I know I should do.

The old retiree stops at the fire hydrant across the street with his two French bulldogs.  Why the fascination with fire hydrants I wonder?  His thin grey haired wife starts her brisk walk around the park leaving him with his two portly companions.  They are back at the fire hydrant again.  There must be something about the shape that is inviting to canines.