"They are also fantastically durable. Because they are so long-lived, atoms really get around. Every atom you possess has almost certainly passed through several stars and been part of millions of organisms on its way to becoming you.
We are each so atomically numerous and so vigorously recycled at death that a significant number of our atoms - up to a billion for each of us, it has been suggested - probably once belonged to Shakespeare. A billion more each came from Buddha and Genghis Khan and Beethoven, and any other historical figure you care to name. (The personages have to be historical, apparently, as it takes the atoms some decades to be thoroughly redistributed; however much you may wish it, you are not yet one with Elvis Presley.)
So we are all reincarnations -- though short-lived ones. When we die, our atoms will disassemble and move off to find new uses elsewhere - as part of a leaf or other human being or drop a dew.
In short, on an atomic level, we all live forever."
A Short History of Nearly Everything
-Bill Bryson-
aMMPh, zenriver, marpete, Ohh Shh Its Jon, and 5 other people added this photo to their favorites.
zenriver 41 months ago | reply
beautiful!
full moon ~ blue moon ~ and walrus moon!
~ Happy New Year ~
joel bybee 41 months ago | reply
Hello Kevin, Happy 2010! Did you actually get to see this blue moon thing? I had never herd of it prior to yesterday and then it came up twice. Once on the radio and then again of flickr. Does this mean that we don't have groundhog day this year? Just wondered. Great shot of the moon. Joel
marpete 41 months ago | reply
That's a seriously beautiful photo, J, straight off the Harvest Moon photoshoot. I love the info, too. I've always found it hugely comforting to know that there is no death; there's only a moving on of form and being.
Poet for Life 41 months ago | reply
Beautiful full moon capture through the branches!
As seen in:
Your KARMA Group
anonymouse-ken 41 months ago | reply
Atoms and beautiful music ... arrangement is the key. This photo is beautiful music.
--
Seen on your photo stream. ( ?² )
jasperroz 41 months ago | reply
Superb shot.
skinnie minnie 41 months ago | reply
Impressive shot. The clarity is amazing. It's like looking through a telescope.
BlaiseAllen 41 months ago | reply
Your information and photo really compliment each other. Whenever I am looking at the stars, I think about this very issue...what a wonderful night for a moondance ehh?