Mother Nature: The Omnipotent

Looking at the ominous, grand, dominating, overwhelming skies in her stills makes me think a little deeper about Mother Nature. And realize once again, the score will always be, Mother Nature 1, us zero.
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Click here to read an original op-ed from the TED speaker who inspired this post and watch the TEDTalk below.

Doesn't everyone have childhood memories, most of them very personal, about raging thunderstorms, especially when they are happening at night?

Camille Seaman's breathtaking photographs of what happens when the heavens announce, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" take me back to my nursery school years, hunkered down in my little bed, terrified of the banging, flashing and rushing noises that precede a major storm. About then, my parents would be counting down the seconds until they heard the pitter-patter of little feet charging down the hallway. It would be off with the covers, run down the hall, and reach for the doorknob of mom and dad's bedroom. I'd instantly be snuggled between them, no longer fearful but intrigued by Mother Nature's wrath. Not until my dad explained that these noises were actually caused by God practicing his bowling, could I accept the ferociousness of strong winds, earth-shaking claps of thunder and flashes of blindingly bright lightning.

You would have thought I'd get over this phobia by the time I was in grammar school. I thought I had, until I happened to see a summer camp application that mom had filled out. Under the "Special Considerations" section, my mother had written, "Jennifer is afraid of loud thunder and lightning." Gulp. How embarrassing. I was 9 at the time.

Well finally, I can enjoy a good thunderstorm as well as the next guy or girl. Thus I am rather fascinated by the storm chasing hobby, and as a photography collector, in awe of Camille Seaman's work. Looking at the ominous, grand, dominating, overwhelming skies in her stills makes me think a little deeper about Mother Nature. And realize once again, the score will always be, Mother Nature 1, us zero.

These types of weather-related disasters have happened in clumps throughout history and are "cyclical." I have heard it before, but sorry, I'm not buying. -- Jennifer Schwab

Given my frame of reference, I guess it won't surprise you to hear that Seaman's photos make me reflect upon the onslaught of climate-related disasters over the past 5 years, both in the U.S. and abroad... and say to me both on a scientific and spiritual level, that there is an underlying message here. We need to stay in sync with nature, preserve our valuable resources, stop destroying the oceans, lower our carbon footprints, or the frequency and severity of these storms will continue.

I know this is opening a Pandora's box, and I expect that many pure scientists and even a few climatologists out there will comment about how my conclusion is assumptive, unscientific, unproven and biased. These types of weather-related disasters have happened in clumps throughout history and are "cyclical." I have heard it before, but sorry, I'm not buying. Yes my presumptions are on some level anecdotal, but I feel strongly that in not so many years from now, scientific studies will prove the veracity of my position.

This is the real value of Seaman's work. Beyond the physical beauty and technical craftsmanship of her photography, these images stimulate the debate about climate change -- or not?

As always, I encourage you to comment and share your opinions. Thanks!

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