Micro-Landscapes of the AnthropoceneMain MenuMarginal WorldsPlant WorldsAnimal WorldsAmy Huang, Natasha Stavreski and Rose RzepaWatery WorldsInsect WorldsBird-Atmosphere WorldsContributed by Gemma and MerahExtinctionsMarginal WorldsSam, Zach and AlexE-ConceptsAn emergent vocabulary of eco-concepts for the late AnthropoceneSigi Jöttkandt4115726eb75e75e43252a5cbfc72a780d0304d7d
12018-10-18T00:47:03-07:00Post Card 5 - Raymond May2plain2018-10-18T00:51:25-07:00There are an eclecticism of birds that take flight around the world and Wallace Stevens’ poem ‘Of Mere Being’ captures the essence of the characteristics of birds. As a bird lover myself (having two cockatiels and one galah), I appreciate birds as superior to human beings as they are referred to as “creatures of the heavens.” The many designs that humans have created have been largely inspired by the characteristics and abilities of these humble creatures. Being grounded and not being able to reach high would mean that we cannot reach as far as these fascinating creatures can. I think then that these creatures challenge the anthropocentric view as they have an imbedded ability to take to flight, to sing, and to love, much of which humans can be inept to especially flight.
Similarly, like plants in the previous postcard, humans are also selflessly protecting endangered species of birds like the Australian Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata).
This comes to show that humans are not at the centre as the anthropocentric notion states due to their vulnerability to become extinct, their submission to nature such as water, and their protection and appreciation of plants and birds.
The Palm at the End of the Mind: Selected Poems and a Play by Wallace Stevens (Alfred A. Knopf, 1971)