the evolving mind

The above close-up digital image (x60) of a dwarf papyrus stalk suggests a stitched fabric. Ah yes, the vibrant, green, living biological fabric of nature. But wait. That fabric is not only imperfect in form, it is also host to a number of “diseases.” In the natural world, life grows wherever it can, even and perhaps especially atop other life.

In a sense we humans “live atop” fields of grain and herds of herbivores. But we outright kill our hosts to consume them. And move on to other hosts, whether green of flesh or red.

Likewise, right now, all over your body, many microscopic species are “living atop” you.

Hmm. Is a germ/virus/parasitic disease only a disease to the host species, to the life form that another life form exploits?

Forgive my beating a drum, but, again, biological life resembles not an intelligent design, but a free-for-all of competing life-forms.

Think one species — not coincidentally, our own — deserves a ribbon for best-in-show? Wait awhile. Another species just may make history of us.

Can you identify the above image?  Hints: x60 & it doesn’t glow. Answer and another pick below the fold.

Since owning and using a digital microscope I have realized that what seems visually flat to me is in actuality quite 3-d, at least when you look closer. Hence, many of the images are only clear/focused for one “slice” (depth) of the 3-d image. Darn.

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What is the above? Hints: I “breathe” through it; magnification x60. Answer below the fold.

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Oh sure, leaves of grass seem placid and beautiful from the human-eye perspective. But what about up-close? The above is not a blade of grass but . . . What? Answer below the fold.

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Any idea what the above is? The post title is a clue. As is the fact that the magnification is x60. Here’s another hint: think prince in a pre-incarnation. Answer below the fold.

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Biological forms may look nicely “designed” from a distance, but when you look closer you will spy imperfections.

What type of imperfect form is the above? Image at 60x. Answer below the fold.

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Any idea what the above is?

Hint: 60x magnification. Answer below the fold.

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Any idea what the above is? Hint: x60 magnification. Answer below the fold.

If it weren’t for the green coloration, one might suspect it was a satellite image of criss-crossing city roadways. From where comes the similarity? Are the minds of the “designers” of each similar?

I wouldn’t say so. In fact, in the case of the green criss-crossing, my guess is it reflects intrinsic properties and constants of our universe coupled with the selective power of persistence. What persists, exists.

But that’s just me. What do you think?

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What creature sports these offensive (or perhaps defensive) weapons? Hints: pic at x200; this guy/gal’s relatives nearly kept me up last night.

Answer and another photo below the fold.

And by the way, you’ve got some formerly impressive weapons yourself: on the tips of your fingers and in your mouth. Our kind will still resort to biting and scratching.

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The item above shows a weave pattern. But was it woven? What is it?

Hint: 200x magnification. Answer and a pic at x60 below the fold.

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