“I am a member of a fragile species, still new to the earth, the youngest creatures of any scale, here only a few moments as evolutionary time is measured, a juvenile species, a child of a species. We are only tentatively set in place, error prone, at risk of fumbling, in real danger at the moment of leaving behind only a thin layer of of our fossils, radioactive at that.”
This work contemplates the concept of fragility as a fundamental characteristic of life, drawing connections between human physical and emotional vulnerabilities and the delicate balance of natural systems. It likely addresses themes of mortality, resilience, and the ethical responsibilities that arise from recognizing shared precariousness among species. The narrative may weave together scientific observations, philosophical inquiries, and cultural perspectives to illuminate how fragility informs our understanding of survival, interdependence, and the human condition within a broader ecological context. more
Lewis Thomas was a renowned American physician, writer, and scientist. Born on November 25, 1913, and died on December 3, 1993. He was known for his contributions to medicine and scientific writing, serving as the director of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. more
“Twelve days north of Hopeless and a few degrees south of Freezing to Death”
“Gather up In the arms of your love—Those who expect No love from above.”
“The past has been a mint Of blood and sorrow. That must not be True of tomorrow.”