The Earth Is Alive
71THE EARTH
The Earth floats in a black void utterly hostile to life against a background of an infinite number of stars.
The Earth breathes, and it has an audible heartbeat.
It is a living, metabolizing superorganism.
Rivers, lakes, oceans, glaciers, and mountains are all alive; they are a part of the living Earth.
Millions of animal species inhabit this blue ball that continuously bursts with life and energy.
There are more creatures living on your body than there are people on the Earth.
The Earth’s atmosphere appears to be alive above the biosphere.
The largest living organisms on Earth are fungi and trees.
Its forests wax and wane according to the seasons.
Vegetation binds the Earth to the sky.
WE ARE MOVING THROUGH SPACE WHILE STANDING STILL
The Earth is spinning on its axis at a quarter-mile every second while orbiting the sun at 18 ½ miles per second. Our solar system endlessly drifts through space at 12 miles per second, but all of this motion is imperceptible to a person standing on Earth.
The Sun nourishes the Earth through its heat, light and other radiation; flowing in the solar wind. The skin of the Earth ages; it slowly wrinkles, rumbling with internal gases as its magma juices circulate within; its electromagnetic nerves flash.
The surface of the Earth is 75% water, the same composition and percentage of water found in the human body. 300 cubic miles of water evaporate from the Earth each day. All of the water on the planet recycles itself within a 3,000 year time span. All free oxygen recycles itself over periods of 2,000 years. This means that people living today are breathing the same oxygen as Julius Caesar.
The Earth looks fragile from space. But fragility is a characteristic of all complex life forms, which must maintain temperature, humidity, pressure, metabolism, and equilibrium. The Earth today receives at least twice as much heat and energy from the sun as she did millennia ago, yet the fossil record shows she continues to maintain her temperature with a surprising constancy.
THE EARTH IS FULL OF MUSIC
The Earth is a musical instrument with two fundamental and dissonant notes and several overtones of various pitches ranging from vibration periods of 3.7 minutes to 54.7 minutes. The song of our planet is 20 octaves below our hearing range. The song that an atom rings out is 20 octaves above our hearing range.
Life on Earth has a cacophony of melodies and drumming, not only from humans, but also from animals, fish, birds and insects.
INFINITY & POLARITY
William Shakespeare said (through Hamlet) “I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space.” All is infinite. All is polarity. The blackest part of the human body, the pupil, is the very part that lets in the most light. All life and all things are made of the same stuff.
CHANGE IS ACCELERATING TOWARD GERMINATION
All planets are born; they each grow; mature; ferment; and germinate. The time for the germination of the Earth appears to be rapidly approaching. Its levels of population, communication, wealth, freedom, and knowledge are growing exponentially on Earth during our time.
It is estimated that 300,000,000 people were on Earth 2,000 years ago, and that up until 1650 its population had only increased to 500,000,000. Then came the industrial revolution, and with that revolution came an explosion in the world’s population that found the Earth home to one billion souls by the year 1850; two billion by 1925; three billion by 1960; four billion by 1976, and nearly seven billion today.
Change is accelerating as the world becomes more closely knit. Advances in communication and other technologies have rapidly occurred allowing knowledge to be shared both quickly and globally. Man’s invention, industry, efficiency, production, and health care are leading to exploding populations.
Man clearly dominates the earth in countless, unprecedented ways. For hundreds of years men needed to protect themselves from wild beasts in order to survive. Today, that has changed completely, and it’s the wild beasts that need protection, they need to be protected from men.
Man nearly completed the mapping of Earth in the 20th Century; his picture of the Earth including both the depths of the oceans and the heights of the mountains. He has accomplished mapping billions of light years into space. Each of these achievements may be seen as remarkable considering the long expanses of time when men could only wonder about such things. Man has split the atom and flown into outer space just in the last fifty years.
Man’s speed of travel increased a thousand-fold in the last 200 years. The steam locomotive first beat a horse, for millennia man’s fastest mode of travel, in 1839. In 1907 an automobile first achieved the astounding speed of 150 mph. In 1961 a rocket carried a man into space at 17,560 mph.
Man’s speed of communication has increased even faster than his speed of travel.
The more incredible acceleration of mans capabilities has been the explosion of knowledge and information. Today billions of books, pamphlets, journals, maps and pictures are available on the Internet.
The increase of mans wealth has exploded more than all of these. The average person now enjoys an enormous array of luxuries compared to kings of a century ago.
INTELLIGENT DESIGN
The Astronaut Edgar Mitchell said when he first saw Earth from outer space “The first thing that came to mind as I looked at Planet Earth floating in the vastness of space was its incredible beauty; a blue and white jewel suspended against a velvet black sky. The presence of divinity became almost palpable and I knew that life in the universe was not just an accident based on random processes. This knowledge came to me directly, noetically; an experiential cognition.”
Our planet is complex; it’s mysterious, exciting, challenging, and dangerous. Dreams come true here. Miracles happen. When man discovered fire it was a miracle; when he learned to cultivate his own agriculture it was a miracle. The invention of the wheel was also a miracle, as were the discoveries of how to use metal; utilize horses; and sail the oceans. The inventions of the printing press and the engine were once again miraculous achievements; they were life changing. Human flight was considered impossible and a miracle when it first occurred, so was the invention of the telegraph. Space travel and landing on the moon were miracles.
The surface of the Earth features an extraordinary variety in landscapes, and the landscapes of Earth are teeming with life that walks, creeps, slithers, burrows, climbs, swims, and flies. Our Earth is also full of conflict, surprise, adversity, stimulation, uncertainty, and paradox. It is filled with germs, disease, poison, pain, hate, and decay. Earth also has an over abundance of ignorance, poverty, accidents, war, cancer, misery, and suffering. Isn’t it great? Isn’t this great contrast the exact thing that enables us to clearly see beauty, peace, tranquility, and happiness?
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I acknowledge my source reference for this article as the tremendous book The Seven Mysteries of Life by Guy Murchie.
I have previously published many other Hubs including:
A Hub about my rock band White Summer II
A Hub about The Prince of Darkness
A Hub about Who God Is
A Hub of the History about Christianity from 787 to 900, which includes sections regarding Charlemagne; The Worship of Mary; Predestination; Philosophy & Religion; and the beginnings of the split between the churches of the Greek East and the Latin West.
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James- An outstanding Hub. Extremely well-written and very interesting. You addressed in a single Hub so many of the topics my students and I try to cover in our History of Science class. Great stuff and a great read. Theresa
Stessily— Why, I am thankful to you for all the love, my dear. I surely appreciate the voted up and you hitting the useful, beautiful, awesome, and interesting buttons for me. You have made my day! :-)
Thank you very much. And you are welcome.
Faithfully Yours,
James
James A Watkins: Love the title, love the hub, love the hubber!
I also love the quote from my favorite play "Hamlet": "I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space.”
I love the sounds of so-called silence in this world. It's fascinating that there are so many sounds and so many sights outside the range of our hearing and vision. Thank you for sharing your sensitivity to the natural music of the earth and the universe.
Voted up+useful+beautiful+awesome+interesting
Kindest regards always, Stessily
Tatjana-Mihaela— Thank you, my dear, for saying so. You are surely welcome. It is a pleasure to hear from you again. :)
Beautiful Hub, thank you James.
Kaie Arwen— Your timing is impeccable as always. Thank you very much for coming back.
Just wanted to come back and re-read my favorite............ seemed like a perfect time! Kaie ;-D
Tkumah— You're welcome. Your ideas are very interesting. Thank you for sharing the with me. I'll have to ruminate over them for a while. And this gives me mental pleasure. :-)
Thanks for the link:)
I know that it is forward left yet the magnetic pole shifts and somehow I wonder if the clock is really the beat of the night. To me it looks that the dualities of motion will create a simultaneous dual beat that is the essence of limits and order and so much more. It is so perfect. I think that the clock beat or a heart beat is not the earth beat but a translation.
I am glad you do! It is gratifying to hear you say that this article was useful for you. I didn't know about the "activator technique." Thanks for that educational tidbit. I do believe the heartbeat of earth has been recorded.
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/3243510/9145828
Thank you for visiting. :)
I love the way that you describe earth. I got some useful information and a better picture of the whole.
The activator technique uses the beat of the earth for speed. It uses a small gun to manipulate mini bones, unlike traditional chiropractor methods.
I wonder about the sounds of the earth so much so. I wonder if there is a taping of it or can it be amplified, translated or sensed?
gatorgrad2001— I am not disillusioned because I care more about truth and what is right for my descendants than for my personal circumstances. Actually, under Socialism I would headed for the Gulag. :D
Okay, if this country was on the march to socialism, you would have been quickly re-employed, but sadly we have been at the other end of the capitalist spectrum with unfettered capitalism. I'm surprised you're not disillusioned with capitalism based on your recent setback.
gatorgrad2001— I have been unemployed for a year. Before that I owned a general aviation services company with 150 employees for 14 years that went out of business last year. I have been many other things, including a long stint as a professional musician and singer. I guess I write HubPages for a living.
What do you do for a living, Mr. Watkins?
susanlang--- Discovery is a great to word to describe my research for this article. Thank you for your gracious compliments and you are welcome. I'll be coming over to read your Hubs soon. Welcome to the Hub Pages Community.
James, the word "discovery" came to my mind as I was reading this hub. Not of the earth, but of you.. a well defined writer among other things. It's an honor to read your very powerful writings and the detail you put into your work. Thank you, James.
lovelypaper--- Thank you for your compliments. I am well pleased to receive them.
Wonderfully written hub. Great facts. Very fascinating!
Mystique--- Thank you! I enjoyed reading your excellent comments and I greatly appreciate the affirmation you provided, Al. Thanks for reading and leaving your gracious words.
James
Extraordinaire, James!!
I have always felt the spirit of Earth communicating with us!
I do believe it hurts when we, mankind, do things that are not in its benefit. It is important to be conscious about it. This legacy from the Creator shouldn't be taken for granted!
Great Hub!
Two thumbs up!
Kind regards and blessing to you, my friend!
Al
IdeaMorphist--- Welcome to the Hub Pages Community!
I am gratified to read your expressions of appreciation. Thank you very much and you are welcome.
scheng1--- Yes that is. You've just given me an idea. I'm going to write an article about money! Thanks for the inspiration.
David Wilcoxson--- You are welcome, David. Planet Earth is a fine series. I appreciate your kind words. Thank you for tuning in and leaving your comments.
Michael Shane--- Thank you for your gracious compliment. I will be coming over to read more of your stuff soon. You are welcome.
I love it! This is the first time in a long time that science was interesting for me. That's all due to your writing style being so visual and detailed. Thank you!
It's a paradox that the Planet Earth is so rich with all kinds of lives, yet we dont feel alive without money.
Hey James, Just as I watch the Discovery Channel's Planet Earth series in awe of Gods creation, I read your hub with the same wonder and amazement. Thanks for sharing! David
You are an outstanding writer, I can only hope to be so good! Thanks for reading my stuff as well, it's an honor!
Tom Cornett--- Hey! It's great to see you. I'm coming over soon to check out your latest works. Thank you for the fine compliment. And you are most welcome.
Awesome hub James...my first read of the morning! Thanks! :)
ShadestoShoes--- That is high praise indeed! You are surely welcome and thank you for making my day!
Kaie Arwen--- Your remarks are beautiful to behold, dear. I see that you truly get it. Yes God created uniqueness and interrelatedness both. Everything is alive in some sense because atoms are alive. Miracles are real and dreams do come true. Amen!
Thank you for visiting my Hub and leaving your warm and wonderful compliments. It's always great to see you.
James
Best hub I ever read ! Ty for sharing and all your hard work!
James-
How amazing that all of God's creations are not only intrinsically complex and unique, but that they each share similarities as well; everything breathes.......... and everything is alive.
The Earth, like us, it shows beauty in its smiles, in rainbows and sunsets. It can also spit out its anger, erupt in illness, feel the blood in its veins, and more importantly, it knows how to cry.
Its face may become older, but the well deserved wrinkles only add to its beauty, and it flourishes through the seeds it has sown. The earth is alive, just like us.
Miracles are real and dreams do come true. This was beautifully written.......... and most appreciated; these words will be remembered!
K
stephensaldana--- Thank you for your laudatory compliments. I sincerely appreciate your words here. I am grateful that you came by and read my work. I'll be coming to read your Hubs soon.
James you have done magnificently superb job. The article is knowledgeable and informative culminated with adventure at its peak. I have not seen depiction of earth in such a fashionable way ever before. You aptly stated that, our planet is complex; it’s mysterious, exciting, challenging, and dangerous. The instances used to demonstrate is mind-blowing.
sumbha--- I am glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for your compliments. I am going to come over and read your Hub on Nepal soon. Welcome to the Hub Pages Community!
It really amazing when we study about the facts on Earth, Solar system and Universe as a whole. Great hub. I really enjoyed it.
Abe Normal--- I love the Luther quote. And you may be right about the number of stars. My personal theory is that we never find the end of the universe and never finish counting stars.
I very much appreciate you coming to visit and leaving your fine remarks.
Calling Crow--- It is nice to see you again. That demonstration would be hard to pull off. :-) Thank you for coming to read my work and for your compliments.
HealthyHanna--- Thank you! Electromagnetism is an interesting subject. I'll see what I can do to further pique your interest. Thank you for visiting and commenting.
The article begins: "The Earth floats in a black void utterly hostile to life against a background of an infinite number of stars." ----- Actually no, that is incorrect; there is simply a finite number of stars. Time may be infinite, but not the number of stars. "There are between 10 sextillion and 1 septillion stars in the Universe. That's a large number of stars." [ http://www.universetoday.com/guide-to-space/stars/ ]
Abe Normal
"Good works spring from faith; they don't produce it." (Luther, Wartburg, 1522)
I thought it might amuse you that I considered "showing" my daughters how fast the earth orbits the sun by driving that particular speed in our car. However, upon further calculation, I think I'll just show them how fast it rotates. . . . LOL!!!
Excellent as always, James!
Beautifully put. This concept has been pure facination to me. The magnetic condition of the earth is of great interest to me also. I will be watching for more information on this subject.
Thanks.
iantoPF--- I am happy to read your words today. You provide inspiration to me. Thank you for that and you are quite welcome, too.
I just can't get enough of your Hubs James. Your writing is truly inspirational. Thank you.
NaomiR--- Thank you for the compliments. This planet is surely something else. I'm glad you came by. It's nice to see you again.
prasetio30--- Indeed it is, brother. Thank you for your compliments. I appreciate you for stopping by.
Beautifully written hub. I love the imagery you used -- it made me appreciate our planet all the more.
That's why we have to take care of this earth. Nice hub, James.
ladyjane1--- I am quite pleased that you've expressed your enjoyment of this Hub. Thank you for taking the time to read it and for leaving your compliments.
dara--- AH!! Closer yet. I do think that many artists are seeking immortality through art. I mean, after the death of an artist much of art lives on, yes? We study, view, read, and listen to art by dead people all the time.
Thank you very much, my dear, for coming to visit me today. I love hearing your voice coming off the page.
dara--- Hello my friend! It is a pleasure to see you here. I am well pleased that you appreciate the method to my madness. If you made that up I've got to hand it to you--I love that! Perfect.
I don't see you as behind. This is a "take it at your leisure class." :D
To capture life--to make it stop for a moment. Yes.
Really enjoyed this hub, I always feel like I learn something new when I read your hubs, Good job.
Or are we trying to capture being alive forever.
Hello Friend,
Surfacing again after skimming a couple of Hubs of yours: “Philosophy” and “Being Human”, before this. I love how you introduce all the great mind's perspectives allowing others to express their opinions.
There is more light in an open sky then in the woods....an old proverb(just kidding)I just made this up...but, maybe not..."nothing is new under the sun" ...right?
If I were in a class of yours(if this was one) I would probably have a sinking feeling of be flunking right now because I am so behind.
But,in reference to this Hub... the Earth is alive and, don't we know it in our bones... and that is why we have artists...musicians, painters, sculptures...all trying to capture life( maybe make it stop in time for a moment) and get people up for that.
Mrfflid--- Hey! Thank you. I'm glad you appreciate my work here. Welcome to HubPages.
Hey! great article! Youve put a fair bit of work into this.
akirchner--- Thank you for your fine compliments. I am glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate you for stopping by to read my Hub and for leaving word that you did.
Beautifully put together and love the image as well as the Earth being a musical instrument.
DeBorrah K. Ogans--- Thank you so much for your accolades, my dear sister! God is truly awesome, as you say. Spoken into existence--isn't that a thought. And how true. And astonishing to contemplate.
You are surely welcome. I appreciate your steady encouragement.
James a Watkins, Absolutely wonderful hub! Excellent presentation, Professor!
This just further serves to confirm that God is truly AWESOME! Knowing that this universe was all spoken into existence through the Word, which manifested as Jesus Christ in the flesh, deepens my Faith and Trust in Him that much more..."To GOD Be The GLORY!"
As you stated: "The Earth is a musical instrument with two fundamental and dissonant notes and several overtones of various pitches ranging from vibration periods of 3.7 minutes to 54.7 minutes. The song of our planet is 20 octaves below our hearing range. The song that an atom rings out is 20 octaves above our hearing range"
"When God is the conductor life is a symphony" Thank you for sharing, In His love & Blessings! Great job!
Wealthmadehealthy--- You're welcome. And God Bless You and Yours.
Thank you. God Bless you and yours each and every day...
50 Caliber--- Thank you, 50. And thanks for the tip on that Hub. I'll go over there and read it right now. I sure enjoy our conversations.
Nicks--- Truth is stranger than fiction! Thank you for visiting and your compliments.
Rose West--- You heard the music!!
JOE BARNETT--- Hello! If it makes you think and wonder why then I have done my job because that is what I set out to do. Thanks for letting me know it worked.
Rose West--- Thank you. I so appreciated your comments because I agree with everything you said. I'll be over before long to read some of your work.
James,
it saddens me about your wife I will continue prayers for her.
I also received a hub in my in box that goes to the vibration of the earth that ties them to weather and possibly earth quakes, it comes as another government scare as for scientists messing with what they don't understand. You might enjoy it for the "vibrations being confirmed?"
http://hubpages.com/hub/HAARP-AND-HAITI-EARTHQUAKE
God Bless
Geat stuff, James. It is good prompt to wonder again at our extraordinary environment. If someone wrote it as fiction - it would be unbelieveable!
Oh and by the way, I went outside after reading your hub, and I could hear the music!
hello james! very thought provoking.it really leaves you mystified, in aw and wondering why? very interesting hub!
This is a great hub! I liked how you described the earth almost from the point of view of an outsider looking at the big picture. Our God is great and He created a wonderful world!
Amber Allen--- Why, thank you so much for the laudations! This is quite gratifying. I appreciate your kind words, Amber.
James
Dim Flaxenwick--- Why, it was my pleasure to present this material. I am pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you for the affirmation.
What a totally awesome hub James. Incredible! To be able to write like this when your wife is in your own words not doing well shows the true depth of your faith and your talent. Amber
There's so much in this hub. All wonderful reading and uplifting too. We see and hear enough of the bad in the world. It was peaceful to reflect on the beauties ans joys of our living planet. Thank you for brightening my day.
Saintatlarge--- Thank you! Yes, it just might be. I suppose that without the rebellion we would be living forever in Eden. We'll have to settle for the New Jerusalem on the other side of the veil. I appreciate the visit and the excellent comments, L.
J
Captain Estan Fuller! What a pleasure to hear from my friend. It is with honor that I receive you here today. Thank you for the compliments.
Hi James, excellent as always, thought stirring and effectual.
Hey is that a song i hear brewing in your heart? LOL :)
i have a question? Do we have enough imagination to wonder what the whole concept would have been had satan not rebelled and fallen or if Adam and Eve had not been decieved... Then again do we have enough to take us into the next step in our journey toward the Fathers heart for us at Jesus return.
There is but one destroyer and his time is coming to an end. The thought of a New Heaven and Earth (as has been said) is mind boggling. Our God and creator has given us a visual glimpse every day into his immensity. We will all stand without excuse. Expectant of the next round.
Keep on Brother. L.
James; This is a very amazing and informitive piece,thanks.Your friend Estan F.
ethel smith--- I had hoped to clear up a few things. :) Thanks for coming and leaving word, dear.
Interesting but very deep Hub. I am as puzzled as ever.
SirDent--- Well sir, your accolades are very much appreciated in these parts. Thank you for coming by and offering up your comments.
50 Caliber--- Hello my friend from the hermitage. I did take a ten day respite from writing but during that time I conceptualized a flurry of Hubs to come. Thank you so much for your affirmation. The wife is not doing well. I am OK I suppose. I love to write. It takes me to another world for a time. Thank you for the visitation and God Bless You.
A M Werner--- This was a labor of love, yes, brother. That quote from Shakespeare didn't fit neatly in this Hub but I ran across and just had to use it.
Your comments are wonderfully made; especially the quote from Psalms. That is a mighty good question. Thank you very much for your words of wisdom.
I read this yesterday and was unable to write a comment. Seems it is the same today. Lots of info that I didn't know. This is a great hub by a great writer.
I recall reading in the Bible, (in Isaiah I think), about the earth reeeling to and fro like a drunkard. It seems we are at this point in time right now.
S.S. Yogi--- Hello! Thank you very much! Your Hubs are wonderful,too.
James
aguasilver--- Things are much improved for me now, John. Thanks for asking. I appreciate the visit and comment.
James
nextstopjupiter--- A pleasure to hear from you, my intrepid adventurer friend. Thank you for the generous link. I will go read your Hub soon. By all means let's listen to the sounds of the Universe. You are welcome.
Ken R. Abell--- I am so pleased to read your comments of affirmation, brother. You are a terrific writer. Thank you for coming by and you are most welcome.
H P Roychoudhury--- Thank you for coming to see my Hub, all the way from India. This shows how man's communications have accelerated in my lifetime. I sincerely appreciate your wonderful laudations sent in my direction,my friend. And you are welcome.
scarytaff--- Thank you for your kind compliments and readership. Always a pleasure to hear from my friends Down Under.
Wealthmadehealthy--- And so the story of the Earth begins.
Thank you so much for your warm accolades and the hearty applause. You have brightened my morning with your words. I appreciate you reading my article.
advisor4qb--- I am glad you enjoyed it, dear. It is always nice to see your name in my in box. Thanks for letting me know you were here.
James,
I miss the frequency of your hubs showing up in my mail box, BUT, if this hub is a sign of things to come, WoW! So worth waiting for! I enjoyed this hub in a Large Way it hit so many strings and Revlady hit my thoughts on it so I'll second that. As for the little yellow duck we noticed it's attempt and recognized failure to take away anything from such a well written hub.
I hope things are well with you and I inquire of your wife? Well or better I pray.
God Bless you both.
Tons of work, time and love went into this hub James. When you mentioned Shakespeare's quote about the king of the nutshell, all I could think of was how unimaginable the Lord must be. The heaven and the earth shall pass away. Everything we can see and comprehend is inside a nutshell that He holds in his hand. It is no wonder all we can do is wonder - with awe - at all He has done.
In this complex miracle ntework of life and living we ask "What is man that you are mindful of him." Peace.
James A Watkins Hub Author 5 months ago
phdast7— Thank you so much for the awesome accolades! Coming from a learned historian such as yourself, Theresa, these compliments make my day. :)
I am well pleased that you like this Hub and took the time to let me know. I appreciate the visit, as always, and I'll be coming over to read some more of your work soon.
James