Thanks Brian...again...for your observations, here incredibly saturated with the brilliance of your immediate experience under the sea. Although a vegetarian, I consumed your fish stories with great appetite. (I loved Young's "An Immense World" and am currently reading "The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger .... which may transform me into whatever you call someone who only eats fallen nuts, fruits, etc.) Really, thanks for sharing this experience with us with your trademark observations about our "infinitely complex, ever changing world." A respite from this morning's headlines.
Yes, indeed, a much needed respite! And I will check out “The Light Eaters”, as I loved “An Immense World”. In my thirties I loved being “underwater” but had to confine my experiences to snorkeling. During training for Scuba I was some way “terrified” by the instructor, and in order to recover sleep at night, I had to abandon the training, only learning later in life that this never should have happened. At 87 I can now only enjoy and marvel at the experience of others.
Sorry to hear you experienced that, Mary. Part of why I wrote this wasn’t to suggest everyone should SCUBA dive, but rather the sense that finding something that gives you that sensation - of discovery, awe, and wonder, particularly about the natural world - is always an attainable goal that manifests in ways that differ from person to person.
Thank you for your kind words, Brian. I was a suburban London kid, who got turned on to the "greater" world, and I was fascinated by Cousteau. I never thought that travel, especially to places where I might "dive", would become a possibility in my life. Many years later the opportunity to learn how to scuba dive presented itself, and I was thrilled at the prospect of becoming an undersea adventurer. Alas, it was not to be. It was as if some noxious "fearbug" had been inserted in my mind. So, I love the stories, and I am happy to "participate" at arms' length in the adventures of others. Thank you for so generously sharing.
Mary, Thanks for sharing this. I have had my own experience with terrifying coaches…for me in the horse world but I still love horses! As I read these new contributions to understanding our nonhuman co-inhabitants I have more trust in the wisdom and inspiration of the creatures of the land, sea and sky we have seen as so ’other.’
Brian, I always look forward to your thoughtful and interesting posts amongst the sea (heh) of endless horrible news recaps these days. I have been a fan of the mantis shrimp ever since stumbling across this excellent webcomic many, many moons ago. Sharing here for anyone who would like to further appreciate one of the most fascinating animals on our planet: https://theoatmeal.com/comics/mantis_shrimp
Thank you for sharing your experience (and videos). I haven’t been diving in decades (and didn’t witness all the wonders you did), but it was always a magical experience.
Awesome, in the true meaning of that word. I know you consider yourself blessed to be able to have that experience. Because you share it beautifully. Stunning world we live in.
I read this with great interest, being a former scuba diver (can’t clear my ears anymore, but still love to snorkel), and having just read Ed Yong’s Immense World. Those mantis shrimp are incredible. Thanks for sharing.
hey brian! what a great picture of you! thanks for showing us. we can see these dives have moved you. i can see it in your face and eyes. well, i think i can. i so enjoyed reading this essay. all the fascinating facts about the fish, and that line about "nature's janitor uniform" so funny. the videos enhanced the reading pleasure. thanks again. i'm so glad you enjoyed your trip. i must try and have a trip like that. oh...have you seen the "meg" films with jason stratham? he's a cool actor. when you went after that blacktip shark, you were jason stratham!
1Kg of water weights the same as 1Kg of air. It would be better to say 'water is denser than air'. Sorry if that comes across as being a pedantic arse, but this sort of thing is quite triggering for those of us with a phyics background. ;0)
after i finished fluke, and now too, i think of the fluke-force you describe as omnipotent as gravity itself. ever-present. ubiquitous. confession: i borrowed your book from my local library and have since returned it, and that is why i cannot answer my own questions about your treatise exploring the world of flukes. i do remember there we two major delivery mechanisms, and you framed the book around those two ideas. now, i must finish this current essay of yours! who knows, maybe you talk about flukes in the essay and i just havn't moved far enough along. sheesh! but brian, i so much enjoy your writings. thank you.
Thanks Brian...again...for your observations, here incredibly saturated with the brilliance of your immediate experience under the sea. Although a vegetarian, I consumed your fish stories with great appetite. (I loved Young's "An Immense World" and am currently reading "The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger .... which may transform me into whatever you call someone who only eats fallen nuts, fruits, etc.) Really, thanks for sharing this experience with us with your trademark observations about our "infinitely complex, ever changing world." A respite from this morning's headlines.
A respite, for sure. Thanks again.
Yes, indeed, a much needed respite! And I will check out “The Light Eaters”, as I loved “An Immense World”. In my thirties I loved being “underwater” but had to confine my experiences to snorkeling. During training for Scuba I was some way “terrified” by the instructor, and in order to recover sleep at night, I had to abandon the training, only learning later in life that this never should have happened. At 87 I can now only enjoy and marvel at the experience of others.
Sorry to hear you experienced that, Mary. Part of why I wrote this wasn’t to suggest everyone should SCUBA dive, but rather the sense that finding something that gives you that sensation - of discovery, awe, and wonder, particularly about the natural world - is always an attainable goal that manifests in ways that differ from person to person.
Thank you for your kind words, Brian. I was a suburban London kid, who got turned on to the "greater" world, and I was fascinated by Cousteau. I never thought that travel, especially to places where I might "dive", would become a possibility in my life. Many years later the opportunity to learn how to scuba dive presented itself, and I was thrilled at the prospect of becoming an undersea adventurer. Alas, it was not to be. It was as if some noxious "fearbug" had been inserted in my mind. So, I love the stories, and I am happy to "participate" at arms' length in the adventures of others. Thank you for so generously sharing.
Mary, Thanks for sharing this. I have had my own experience with terrifying coaches…for me in the horse world but I still love horses! As I read these new contributions to understanding our nonhuman co-inhabitants I have more trust in the wisdom and inspiration of the creatures of the land, sea and sky we have seen as so ’other.’
I echo the sentiment of respite in these comments and congratulate you on being truly on form in this essay. Thank you very much, Dr Klaas.
Thanks Brian. The “respite” surely involves reading a great post that doesn’t make any mention of you-know-who……
I'VE BEEN THERE!!! 😀
Oooh, going to enjoy reliving the experience through your words my friend 😃
In the best words I've heard from a good friend describing scuba to outsiders to the experience, "it's like nothing else you'll ever do."❤️
Wow. Thank you for this.
Brian, I always look forward to your thoughtful and interesting posts amongst the sea (heh) of endless horrible news recaps these days. I have been a fan of the mantis shrimp ever since stumbling across this excellent webcomic many, many moons ago. Sharing here for anyone who would like to further appreciate one of the most fascinating animals on our planet: https://theoatmeal.com/comics/mantis_shrimp
Haha! I love that. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Brian, once again a great awe-inspiring post.
Thank you for sharing your experience (and videos). I haven’t been diving in decades (and didn’t witness all the wonders you did), but it was always a magical experience.
Awesome, in the true meaning of that word. I know you consider yourself blessed to be able to have that experience. Because you share it beautifully. Stunning world we live in.
I read this with great interest, being a former scuba diver (can’t clear my ears anymore, but still love to snorkel), and having just read Ed Yong’s Immense World. Those mantis shrimp are incredible. Thanks for sharing.
Incredible work! Thank you for this. I hope someday to get to visit the undersea world too but I sure appreciate the beauty you shared with us!
hey brian! what a great picture of you! thanks for showing us. we can see these dives have moved you. i can see it in your face and eyes. well, i think i can. i so enjoyed reading this essay. all the fascinating facts about the fish, and that line about "nature's janitor uniform" so funny. the videos enhanced the reading pleasure. thanks again. i'm so glad you enjoyed your trip. i must try and have a trip like that. oh...have you seen the "meg" films with jason stratham? he's a cool actor. when you went after that blacktip shark, you were jason stratham!
Great article. Haldane was a fascinating character. I recommend the book "Suffer and Survive: The Extreme Life of J. S. Haldane".
Loved this, along with its lovely menu of cool footnotes.
who knew the Peacock Mantis Shrimp invented the microwave? How did anyone CATCH one to measure its photoreceptors?
>But in water, which weighs far more than air
1Kg of water weights the same as 1Kg of air. It would be better to say 'water is denser than air'. Sorry if that comes across as being a pedantic arse, but this sort of thing is quite triggering for those of us with a phyics background. ;0)
after i finished fluke, and now too, i think of the fluke-force you describe as omnipotent as gravity itself. ever-present. ubiquitous. confession: i borrowed your book from my local library and have since returned it, and that is why i cannot answer my own questions about your treatise exploring the world of flukes. i do remember there we two major delivery mechanisms, and you framed the book around those two ideas. now, i must finish this current essay of yours! who knows, maybe you talk about flukes in the essay and i just havn't moved far enough along. sheesh! but brian, i so much enjoy your writings. thank you.