These are images of the nuclei of a stem cell undergoing nuclear fission—the process of duplicating the cell’s genetic material before the cell divides to produce additional daughter cells.

In a 2005 paper, Gostjeva et al.* observed that the cells responsible for organogenesis (the formation of our body structures) have very similar properties to those that are responsible for carcinogenesis (the formation of cancer); there are “stem cells” and there are “cancer stem cells.”  Both exhibit this sort of “bell-shaped” nuclei during nuclear fission. The images that the scientists captured are visual evidence.

When we saw this, my friend, Dylan, couldn’t help but recall the biblical quote when God creates man, “From dust you came, and unto dust you shall return.”

The same sort of cells that bring us into being also plague us later in life.

-Kevin
8.10.2010

*E.V. Gostjeva, et al. “Bell-shaped nuclei dividing by symmetrical and asymmetrical nuclear fission have qualities of stem cells in human colonic embryogenesis and carcinogenesis.” Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics. 2005

from Wired Magazine

Yesterday, I read an article in Wired about a recently discovered fossil of a 60 million year old turtle that had a particularly thick shell (1.5 inches thick, 3 feet across).  The turtle fossil was found close to fossils of the world’s largest known snake species that grew to a length of 50 feet. Scientists theorized the turtle’s thick shell was necessary for fending off this huge snake species.

The article made me think of a very powerful concept, Coevolution–the change of an object (in this case a biological species) triggered by a related object.  As the snake grew larger, the turtle evolved a thicker shell to protect itself.  Or did the snake grow larger as the turtle’s shell became thicker?  This question is equivalent to asking which side of the scissors does the cutting.  Coevolution is a continuous process that involves the evolution of the objects happening in parallel.

Coevolution is curious because it tangibly illustrates the age-old concept of balance in the universe. The existence of one object creates a role for the other. To go even further, I’d say coevolution describes the genesis (and maintenance) of this balance.  Would there be a role for the Joker without Batman?  Batman’s existence completes the Joker.

The concept of duality found within joy and pain, love and hate, and so on is often talked about.  It is easy to observe and notice the human sensitivity to contrast and relative scales.  What is more interesting is the mechanism that delivers such paradoxical dualities, how it affects the world in many contexts (learning, political parties, psychology…), and how it can be used.

-Kevin
4.12.2010

I’ve alluded to Hunter vs Farmer Theory somewhat before.  It’s time I brought up the concept directly.

The basic idea: at some point, humans diverged.  Some became farmers.  Others remained hunters.  This created an important dichotomy of characteristics found in people.

Of course, people aren’t simply one or the other.  An individual’s characteristics exist within a multi-dimensional, continuous spectrum of possible characteristics. However, the Theory provides an excellent framework for thinking about the neurological differences in people.

The Theory is particularly interesting because it highlights society’s failure (particularly our education system’s) to understand the neurodiversity of humans, and how society often only admires a limited set of characteristics, while disregarding other valuable traits that are naively considered to be “deficiencies”.

The wikipedia page is a good primer.  Here’s Hartmann’s illustration of the Theory by placing ADD “deficiencies” in juxtaposition to their value when placed in a different perspective/context.

On a similar topic, also check out Sir Ken Robinson’s TED Talk on society’s failure to make use of the full potential of the vast array of intelligences humans exhibit.

Think about it.

-Kevin
3.3.2010