Mein Gott, it is Theme Thursday already! Is it just me, or are Thursdays rolling around far more quickly ever since I signed up to this thing?
As with every week, I have before me a challenge to locate an image that I have taken and pen some words around a theme completely independent of my choosing. As always, I’m struggling.
This week? EARTH.
So I have a photo that I like to think is pretty representative of the Earth. You have your trees there. Some clouds. The ocean. Some sand and rocks. You’ve got seagulls and molluscs. Grass there in the background too.
That’s the kind of Earth that I like.
But I got to thinking, which always spells trouble.
If I am from this planet called Earth, and I’m happy enough here, am I able to identify as an Earthling?
Let’s face it, I struggle enough with identity most of the time. I think of myself as being from Burnie, and I have no shame in telling people that. I also identify (proudly) as a North West Coaster. Of course, I’m a Tasmanian before I am an Australian. Yet if I’m introduced to a Belizean I’ll tell them I’m Australian. Not only that, I’m an Australian of Scot/Italian/Irish stock, that is, I’m a European-Australian.
Have I got space in my life to be an Earthling as well?
Does being an Earthling afford me a set of assumed natural rights? Being a human kind of does.
Chickens are Earthlings, and I eat them.
Ants, flowers, trees, fleas, algal blooms and viruses are Earthlings too.
But what about rocks?
Mountains?
Rivers?
Hmmm...
Maybe we’re ALL Earthlings now.
[A nod to the good people over at Obscene Deserts, who spark some of my long mulled thinking along this track with a post on 'Europe'.]
42 comments:
You know, I have never thought of myself as an Australian. Always Tasmanian. Being 'Strayan is only ever for the more formal things, like passport control, giving my country for postal purposes when ordering Soviet cameras, etc.
As for being an Earthling, I guess I'll have to wait until I meet someone not-from-Earth (and the inevitable "so....where ya from?") to see how I address that one...
Nice pretty picture, by the way.
Don't worry! Though you all are supposed to be from Mars and we all from Venus, but so far no Martians or Venusians found. So, you don't have to worry about earthlings. And when somewhere some *lings will be found, you will be forced to become earthling as you are forced to become Australian in front of Non-Australians. :-)
I would like to become an earthling though as I am quite tired of all these identities in this world.
interesting ponderings. i'll have to think on it, as i have never identified myself by my planet, more so the small dot on the globe which i find myself. think me has it right, as i know too few non-earthlings. maybe someday. beautiful pic.
my head hurts
and then there are times when I wonder just what planet I am on because it seems like everyone else is so alien...oh no I guess that mostly happens when I am around my family!
My son just say WOW when he saw the photo and i totally agree with him ! I like the concept of earthling , we're all earth children , our identity, happily, is not reduce at our birth country ;)
Me, it's Burnie-boy all the way for me!
KL, I think that I am from Neptune.
People do put too much stock into identity. Imagine killing or dying over identity. Stupid!
Brian, so we need an 'other' to define ourselves?
Jim, maybe a drink will help? Or maybe not!
Colette, family need to be steered clear from!
Babzy, I am glad that you and your son liked the photo. I made getting wet worthwhile!
Earthling, is this word your creation?
On our travells people first ask: "Where are you from?" And I have to answer: "From Germany". But I feel more that I'm an EUROPEAN. And yes we are all Earthlings.
And when people have my answer, they look different on me. They say: "Oh Germany!" And some say: "Americans are not good. We like Germany." It's really strange, hard and mad.
Earthlings taste good said the space alien as he gobbled one up. Oh what did he eat. No one knows for sure. Normally I would think of us, but after reading what you wrote, I am now wondering if it was a rock or a shell. It just shows that we are all more alike than some want to admit. Really good post.
Thank you for sharing.
God bless.
Never thought of myself as an earthling . . often as an alien . .definitely as a strayan . . sometimes a New South Welshling, always a Sydneyling . . actually I'm a pain in the arse but that's for another time . . .
wow!
Nice picture - reminds me of British Columbia believe it or not!
If we were gods up on Mount Olympus we'd probably eat rocks and our children too.
Holy Moly...and wow...
I really love your pic there, so much to look at. Would make a wonderful painting, something people can just spend time looking at and thinking about.
Great post. :)
ahh the beach. :D
I guess chickens are earthlings, and they are delicious...so are the other earthling white meat, you know, the pigs. This is making me hungry.
Superb picture
The photo is outstanding. I can almost smell the ocean.
Well, by your Theory of Earthlings, TOE, clams must be earthlings too! And a big bucket of steamers sound wonderful right about now.
Great post, fellow earthling. Fabulous photo, too!
You sure did some serious thinking there!!! I feel that most of the young generation, like us :)), feel that way today simply because we have got so much of exposure that nothing is closed to us anymore, whether it is in terms of geography or technology, religion or culture, etc, etc.
In other words, the world is our oyster, in the true sense of the word today.
That's a great way of looking at things, fellow earthling. Then maybe we can knock down some the boundaries. Love the picture!
Wonderful photo!
When traveling I'm am an American, a New Englander, a Connectikite, so now I should add an Earthling.
Carola, ‘Earthling’ isn’t mine. I credit Marvin the Martian.
"Americans are not good. We like Germany.” It’s a long way from ’45!
Mrsupole, it was probably a chicken.
Baino, Jen is from Sydney, but loathes it.
Candie, wee!
The Clever Pup, Tasmania and BC are similar, I believe.
Holly, holy, moi?
Wings, I wish that I could paint. Photos are easier!
Reyjr, too cold to swim now.
Tom, I love and respect chickens and pigs. To the point of eating them.
Mo, thank you.
Ronda, it smelled lovely.
Willow, cheers!
Yamini, all of my thinking is serious. Or none. One of the two anyway.
Liza, that’s the hope.
Dakota Bear, I like the sound of ‘Connectikite’.
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