The Geological Sublime
The Geological Sublime
This article explores the concept of 'deep time' through the lens of geology and evolution, primarily discussing the contributions of Charles Lyell and Charles Darwin. The author personalizes this vast temporal scale using the example of butterfly populations and the accelerating climate crisis. It delves into the difficulty of human comprehension of immense geological spans, introduces the idea of the 'Great Year,' and contrasts human history with natural processes. The piece concludes by suggesting that contemporary geological forces, now termed the 'Chthulucene,' demand a re-evaluation of humanity's relationship with the Earth's profound history and powerful responses.
Note
the idea of the athropocene being renamed the "Chthulucene" is ... dark
this essay is an ode to the awe it is to revel in just how unfathomable time has passed on earth (and not discussed was the time that has passed in the universe itself!)
it is times like these that it is a good reminder to the original use of the word awesome.
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