The Blackberry Walk

An awfully specific point of conversation, you might say. It is unfortunate that few watch Ginga Tetsudou 999 today. A show which is chocked full of metaphor and symbolism. Traveling into the dark abyss of space in an old fashioned, 19th century train. Clinging on to our old perceptions and wits as we travel on into the great unknown of technology. The battle between nature and technology is a common theme throughout GE999. The thought of forgoing our corporeal form for that of a robot is in of itself the abandonment of the meaning derived from nature for the void of science, us misunderstanding our own nature. So, the beginning of this episode. It is merely a description of a planet of two halves. One half is obsessed with their science, the other with nature. The science side of the planet decides they're going to separate themselves from the other one; a kind of oversensitive disgust on the part of the neurotic scientist. Detaching they're half of the planet, they use rockets to propel themselves forward, away from the philistinic naturalists. Alas, they miscalculate and their half of the planet combusts into smithereens. Another attempt to reach god has failed. What becomes of the naturalists? They evolve and become more and more tribal. They no longer have two eyes on their head, but rather an eye in the front on one eye on their belly and one on their back. They lose the concentration and focus of the scientists but gain a deeper appreciation for what's around them. So why does the science side of the planet explode? Science can't exist without nature. Knowledge of science is derived from nature. Facts are accumulated and we try to piece them together to bend nature to our will. First we make fire. Then tools. Then more complex instruments like arrow heads, swords, buckets, etc. With each advancement we abstract nature further from our everyday lives. Now we live in concrete-laden cityscapes where grey is the norm: not green. It is no wonder that we become hubristic, and believe we can exist without nature. We have ascended after all: become gods. Surpassed the structures of nature which gave us the gift of cognition, and marched on, matricidally, to the extent to which we believe we can go it alone. To think we no longer need mother natures maternal nutriment; to forego her bountiful teat. The complex interwoven fabric of nature cannot be replicated by man. We attempt so in our capitalist societies but the sheer complexity and extend of nature can't be reinvented. We are a perfect fit for our natural environment; we were made for it, our form polished to fit this mold. Have we already gone in this direction? The ushering in of science into our morality through modernity and now into post-modernity hasn't been a net gain for our psyche. Not with mental health epidemics and a general sense of nihilism at the death of god in our culture. A reconnection with our natural self is required. Whilst retaining our scientific adaptability and ability, we mustn't forget to dichotomise between knowledge and wisdom. For science can only teach the former. And our attempt to jam the square peg into the round hole of the latter is to the detriment to us all.