nature & life

Humans are a form of life, residue of a natural output. Due to our chemical makeup, we embody a responsibility and construct systems which conform other systems. These societal systems of man can be considered as natural occurrences, similar to those of ant mounds, birds’ nests, beaver dams etc. We alter out built environment, or better yet habitat, because we can and because we have to, it is in our nature. Natural thinking processes occur and allow for such modification. The downside to this is that, due to circumstance and such human nature, we alter to the detriment of life, be it through altering inputs within natural cycles, or through conforming society resulting in hierarchies which degrade quality of life. That said, it is difficult to argue who is at fault, as such circumstance occurred naturally and generated desire and intent of wanting more, forming a natural capitalist society, detracting from the purity of nature.

As mentioned, man should be well- informed on natures characteristics and complex cycles when carrying out ambitions that alter such harmony. Man is aware of such

manufactured natural landscapes

cycles, so much so that he designs for them, striving to strengthen bonds between cycles and processes of inputs and outputs. An example is that of plumbing systems, a system which not only is informed through natural cycles of decay and recycling of matter, but one which allows for (human) life to flourish and thrive. Such a system is informed through observing and analysing these cycles, and allowing for them to be carried out and mimicked as within untouched ecosystems through designed frameworks and infrastructure, mimesis.

Natural cycles are bound, to a certain degree, by external sources (outputs). However, these sources can vary, in turn effecting cycles. These sources are never absent and interchange at varying degrees and scales. The sole constant denominator however is time. Time is constant throughout a natural cycle, and informs the basis and relevance of life’s stages. It posses the ability to enable growth and nurturing over extended periods, evolving into outputs that sustain life. It dictates specific rhythms, conditioning life.

These life cycles can be labelled as active and passive, depending on the environment of nurturing and circumstance. Passive cycles are common occurrences, processes within nature. They enable daily growth and formulate the basis for ecosystems to thrive as well as forming and sustaining the world in which we live. They are carried out ‘unconsciously’ through nature, in the sense that they do not vary and require repetitive cycles of inputs and outputs. Active cycles however are conditioned directly through circumstance and can be seen as an accumulation of passive cycles. Examples of these are extreme weather conditions, rain, 20 global warming etc. They occur in short bursts or effect extensively surrounding contexts. This short burst however occurs through gradual build up, developed through circumstance such as human activity, wind tunnels, continental plate movements within the asthenosphere etc.

beautiful yet frightening

Nature as a force is mesmerizing. Nature as a whole is beautiful, the cluster of cycles that make up stimulating environments is consciously classified as beautiful. It is our consciousness that acknowledges such beauty, and despite beauty being subjective in ‘the eye of the beholder’, ‘natural beauty’ is objective beauty. We yearn to reconnect to it in modern society, and find tranquillity in manufactured lands.

Nature, as mentioned, is however destructive. Not to the degree that it is detrimental to itself or terminated, only life can be terminated. Destructive forces of nature occur as normal instances, and it is such destruction or similar negative connotations that are still regarded as beautiful. Fear is a prevailing theme throughout life, and is important in sustaining life. Fear