Great photo! It's a shame you ruined it with the P.S. though, lol! :p
Regarding the first part, I feel like humans deserve a little more credit, so I'm going to get philosophical back at you, haha.
Humans seem to be the only creatures who think or act in alignment with a higher ideal, what we call "right", rather than mere survival instinct (though you could argue that our "right" is just a far-sighted survival plan). Presumably we're also the only creatures who can compare ourselves to animals and consider their own feelings in the way that you're doing here, based on that same idea of "right" instead of just in practical terms as relates to survival.
Though I don't think animals are ever really smarter or more caring than we are, I wouldn't want to brag about it, because our capacity for greater understanding and empathy makes the tragedy greater when we don't maximize these abilities. The cliche "with great power comes great responsibility" applies, but we don't have a choice about the power, only the responsibility, and thankfully the responsibility is our own and not a group or the world's, because when things go wrong in the world, only individuals can fix it.
The difference between mantises and humans is that if not just bad people but you too were a mantis, you would also eat heads, as would all your friends (the ones you didn't eat). But as a human, even if there are "mantises" among us, you can choose not to be one, and maybe you can even convince your friends not to eat you - and that's a good start. The power of individual freedom.
I don't like to look at the negatives without recognizing the positives first, the bad without the good - there are always both, and while we tend to focus on the negative, the positive is often far greater - but we take it for granted and so ignore it. If there's been cruelty, it's made love all the more treasured, and if there's been war, it's been because there was something greater than war that was worth fighting for (whatever the causes and motivations of the leaders, the soldiers on the ground are not fighting for fun, and yet they're still fighting). If everything was perfect there would be no perfection: the bad things that happen are just the shadow that the light casts. That contrast helps us keep our feet as we walk along the road.
That's my rambling three cents (my voting power is low) for the day. Thanks for the thought exercise. ;)
P.S. I almost forgot to end with a Tolkien quote!
“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.” - J.R.R. Tolkien
I agree, nature is beauty itself, but maybe author would like to express something, we don't know. That is why detailed description is so important in such adaptations
I should just copy your comment and put it in my post! Ha ha. I have to agree with everything that you said. I'll just add, sometimes I just like to point out what's wrong so people can acknowledge it and decide to change for better. The first step is to admit there's something wrong, the second is to do something about it. We can't learn or aspire to be better if we think everything is perfect the way it is. Recognizing one's error is the beginning of Wisdom. We are not all good or bad, we have a bit of jedi with sith inside, and it's this constant battle that makes us human. Good and bad, peace and agony, pain and pleasure, all these originate within man and not outside him.
Your work is so good! I love this macro shot. We call those insects nuns here in Romania. I think that’s weird how their name have to do with religion.
Gracias mi bella. Si a mi también me dan miedo. Te cuento que se comen la cabeza de su pareja durante la copulación... así que bueno. Que miedo ja ja ja
Beautiful image Gaby.
Mantis are really one of the weirdest creatures out there.
And since we are in a philosophical mood... :) I think the name we gave to this animal clearly shows how much humans like to project their concepts to the external world. And quite often miss the point completely :)
Have you seen mantis hunt? I saw it atack a grasshopper once. That's one fierce predator. I am glad it's not bigger. If it was bigger, I think we would still call it the Praying Mantis, but for another reason. That is, if you encountered one, all you could do would be to pray... :)
Isn't there a movie based on a novel of Stephen Kind with gigantic praying mantis? Or am I making this up? Anyway, they are scary little things. Even more now that I found out they eat their boyfriend's head.
Hi @immarojas Thanks! I wanted to say, I've been thinking about some project to help people out over here in venezuela, thanks to your support and interest in helping. It's slowly coming together, once I materialize it, you'll be the first to know!
Great photo! It's a shame you ruined it with the P.S. though, lol! :p
Regarding the first part, I feel like humans deserve a little more credit, so I'm going to get philosophical back at you, haha.
Humans seem to be the only creatures who think or act in alignment with a higher ideal, what we call "right", rather than mere survival instinct (though you could argue that our "right" is just a far-sighted survival plan). Presumably we're also the only creatures who can compare ourselves to animals and consider their own feelings in the way that you're doing here, based on that same idea of "right" instead of just in practical terms as relates to survival.
Though I don't think animals are ever really smarter or more caring than we are, I wouldn't want to brag about it, because our capacity for greater understanding and empathy makes the tragedy greater when we don't maximize these abilities. The cliche "with great power comes great responsibility" applies, but we don't have a choice about the power, only the responsibility, and thankfully the responsibility is our own and not a group or the world's, because when things go wrong in the world, only individuals can fix it.
The difference between mantises and humans is that if not just bad people but you too were a mantis, you would also eat heads, as would all your friends (the ones you didn't eat). But as a human, even if there are "mantises" among us, you can choose not to be one, and maybe you can even convince your friends not to eat you - and that's a good start. The power of individual freedom.
I don't like to look at the negatives without recognizing the positives first, the bad without the good - there are always both, and while we tend to focus on the negative, the positive is often far greater - but we take it for granted and so ignore it. If there's been cruelty, it's made love all the more treasured, and if there's been war, it's been because there was something greater than war that was worth fighting for (whatever the causes and motivations of the leaders, the soldiers on the ground are not fighting for fun, and yet they're still fighting). If everything was perfect there would be no perfection: the bad things that happen are just the shadow that the light casts. That contrast helps us keep our feet as we walk along the road.
That's my rambling three cents (my voting power is low) for the day. Thanks for the thought exercise. ;)
P.S. I almost forgot to end with a Tolkien quote!
I agree, nature is beauty itself, but maybe author would like to express something, we don't know. That is why detailed description is so important in such adaptations
I should just copy your comment and put it in my post! Ha ha. I have to agree with everything that you said. I'll just add, sometimes I just like to point out what's wrong so people can acknowledge it and decide to change for better. The first step is to admit there's something wrong, the second is to do something about it. We can't learn or aspire to be better if we think everything is perfect the way it is. Recognizing one's error is the beginning of Wisdom. We are not all good or bad, we have a bit of jedi with sith inside, and it's this constant battle that makes us human. Good and bad, peace and agony, pain and pleasure, all these originate within man and not outside him.
Yes, very well said. :)
Whoa! What an awesome and dreamy shot. Resteemed!
Thanks guys! It always makes me happy when you guys decide to resteem my posts!
Your work is so good! I love this macro shot. We call those insects nuns here in Romania. I think that’s weird how their name have to do with religion.
Nuns? Haha that is weird indeed.
Haha yes 😃
Te pasaste, ¡Que buena!
Gracias @aolivares me hiciste llorar con tu último post chamo.
Que fotografía màs espectacular. Las mantis me dan algo de miedito.
Un abrazo. Eres mi fotógrafa favorita.
Gracias mi bella. Si a mi también me dan miedo. Te cuento que se comen la cabeza de su pareja durante la copulación... así que bueno. Que miedo ja ja ja
Perfect capture and great processing!! Good work Gabriela :)
Hello @asgarth. Thanks!
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Beautiful image Gaby.
Mantis are really one of the weirdest creatures out there.
And since we are in a philosophical mood... :) I think the name we gave to this animal clearly shows how much humans like to project their concepts to the external world. And quite often miss the point completely :)
Have you seen mantis hunt? I saw it atack a grasshopper once. That's one fierce predator. I am glad it's not bigger. If it was bigger, I think we would still call it the Praying Mantis, but for another reason. That is, if you encountered one, all you could do would be to pray... :)
Then it would be a "preying" mantis. :D
Haha, correct :)
Isn't there a movie based on a novel of Stephen Kind with gigantic praying mantis? Or am I making this up? Anyway, they are scary little things. Even more now that I found out they eat their boyfriend's head.
Not sure about the movie, but I am sure glad I am not a male mantis...
People are often the worst animals.
Maybe animals don’t need to pray because they are just naturally more pure & closer to God.
Love the photo☺
Hi @immarojas Thanks! I wanted to say, I've been thinking about some project to help people out over here in venezuela, thanks to your support and interest in helping. It's slowly coming together, once I materialize it, you'll be the first to know!
Hi @gabyoraa ..somebody posted about sending u guys some seeds. Check out @whatamidoing?