Sep 29 2009
Looking Closer (71) – Processed Nature
Where is the line between “the natural world” and the human-created non-natural world? Of course, when people speak about the natural world, the connotations are usually positive, eco-friendly, maybe even more “spiritual.” The man-made world, on the other hand, is unnatural, sometimes toxic, out of balance (where’s my scale) etc.
When we encounter an ant mound or bird’s nest, we consider this “the natural world.” Why not the human house? Neanderthal cave — natural. Is a buffalo-hide teepee part of the natural world? A skyscraper certainly isn’t. I guess. What about a log cabin? Just where is the line? Personally, I don’t see one.
As for the above mystery substance for you to identify, the two paragraph short rant was a clue. As is this: the magnification is x60. And yes, human hands have touched and fashioned it. But it is natural. Answer below the fold.
An ordinary clay planter (pot).
