Watching My Head Explode

The world is full of good things. The world is full of good people. The world is full of beauty. Some days I have to almost severely remind myself of these three things or my head would simply explode. I haven't tested that theory to the limit, mainly because it would be messy, and while I'm not opposed to mess, avoiding cleaning up what is preventable is a subconscious theme running like a current in my life. If you've ever sailed across the Gulf Stream you'll know what I mean. If you haven't, then most likely you've used a washing machine. Sort of the same difference, without the soap.

Yesterday I came across two web pages that pretty much show both sides, both brains. One is pictorial, called 21 Pictures That Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity. One is a very long, but well worth reading,  article entitled The United States Is Awash in Public Stupidity, and Critical Thought Is Under Assault. They both made me cry, but for very different reasons. I hope you check them out.

In the meantime, there is harmonious therapy to be had: I watch my garden grow, doing the simple tasks that each plant requires. Plant, water, weed, grow, harvest. There is loose order, but order indeed, a patience required for when I don't feel patient. If the plant fails, I can usually figure out why. If the fruits are used by birds or iguanas, I understand that. Gardening is full of peaceful lessons, even if some of them frustrate; they make a sense in the world, a sense of continuity that I need.

I haven't started using a watermark on my photos these days because they are such great photos, but because I hate the growing trend on the web of photos posted with no source, no credit. Pintrest, Tumbler, Facebook pages (where stealing the name of long respected web sites is apparently okay as well, to get attention to a Facebook page) and more, all photo sites where it is the rare person who even tries to credit a photo (this happens with writing as well, but photos are the topic for now), even when the information is readily available...sharp mental shards that have me grinding my teeth, head gears caught in sticky cogs of why questions that resist answers, or when asked, are answered in casual 'it doesn't matter, why do you let these things bother you' fashion. Because it's the right thing to do? How simplistic.

Watermarking my one little drop in a big, big, big bucket strike back in a world where taking the easy, fast way, with lazy thinking and acting, seems to be totally acceptable. I know many people don't even realize they are doing something that only a few years ago was considered unacceptable. Legally unacceptable, by the way, if anyone wants to push it. A few have. While I'm fairly sure I'll never be in a 'famous photographer' position, I do sell my photographs and do expect to at least be given credit if they are used. Maybe a watermark will help. Maybe not; maybe it's just for me to do some small thing to ping a brain or two. Maybe courtesy (from little things, big things follow) will come back onto the world scene. Maybe not. I only know the world is a little better place when we put into action an apparently outdated concept - good manners. Rant Over.

Have a willingly well-grounded  Wednesday. But do something wide-winged.