Are we really that intelligent?

Man has always taken pride in the fact that he is the most intelligent among the living species –  the next in line being animals and the lowest plants.  But are we really that intelligent?

Birds like the Arctic Tern can migrate over vast oceans without rest and this shows the immense endurance and intelligence of these birds.  This elegant white seabird. breeds on the shores of the Arctic Ocean in Northern Hemisphere summer. And it feeds over the Southern Oceans half a year later – in Southern Hemisphere summer. North American Arctic Terns fly about 40,000 kilometers, or 24,000 miles, each year ”

A few weeks after mating during the breeding season (October – February) female turtles, weighing more than 100kg, pull themselves onto the beaches, dig a hole in sand and lay about 100 leathery eggs into the hole. They cover the eggs and return to the sea, leaving the eggs to be incubated by sun that warms the sand.

Two or three months later (depending on the amount of sunny days), they can come back and identify the eggs.  Tiny baby sea turtles hatch and climb out of the nest. At the sunset they run to the water, all at once to confuse the predators such as crabs, gulls and frigatebirds.

Chimpanzees, elephants, dolphins and monkeys also demonstrate high degrees of intelligence.

Humans inspite of their intelligence have created havoc with the environment by destruction of rainforests, mining, construction of dams, roads, resorts etc without paying any heed to the exotic plants and animals that reside in these forests.  We are thus seeing untold floods, droughts, landslides, earthquakes etc as a result of our actions.

The question thus arises – Are we using our intelligence wisely for the betterment of our world and ecosystem or is it a case of misuse of intelligence?

 

 

 

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Dreamworld

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The whole world folds  up in me
As I close my eyes at night
No objects, no thoughts, no space
Sleep brings me close to myself

I lie down lifeless
Yet life flows through me
And then my subconscious
Takes over me

I go on a voyage
Creating objects, thoughts, space
Conjuring up a dream world
As I go on a ride of fantasy

The alarm bell rings
And I wake up
Objects, thoughts and space
The whole world unfolds again

© copyright skm, 29th July, 2011

Mumbai – Night of terror

Evil struck  on a Wednesday night
Cowardice written on their face
Cold, dull hearts caused agony
In a crowded marketplace

Planting bombs in cars
Attacking innocent people
Blood flowed, bodies flew
Causing torment and agony

A city is helpless
The people run amok
Satanic forces incite arson
And wounded our nations fabric

An eerie silence prevails
Mourning, rage and helpless anger
The media is in a frenzy
Trying to outdo each other

Only  stone-hearted people can kill
Human lives that bear no ill
O wicked men of terror
What ails you? What glory do you seek?

O God! I pray for the innocent victims
The wounded and the helpful citizens
Who come together at this time of peril
United in a moment of agony

 

© copyright skm, 14th July, 2011

As you sow so shall you reap

Sow a seed in fertile soil
Nurture it with care
And watch the plant grow
All life starts from a seed
Tender and fragile
The seed is the source of ife

Sow the thoughts of love in your mind
Directed to a higher ideal
And let not greed, anger and jealousy
Defile this sacred chamber
Widen your vision
From family to community
From nation to the world

Sow the habit of perseverance
Focussing on the task at hand
And let not obstacles
Digress you from your goal
Offer your work to that ideal
Accepting the fruits of labour with love

Sow the values of truth and honesty
In every sphere of your life
And let not greed
Stray you from your steadfast beliefs
As you sow
So shall you reap

© copyright skm, 10th July, 2011

A Leader

A leader lives a  life of purpose
Working from dawn to dusk
Serving the community
Living steadfast to ideals

Empowering the populace
Bringing education to them
A leader awakens the masses to
Truth,  courage and love

A leader  serves the needy
Cares for  the orphan
Feeds the hungry and
Clothes the destitute

Breaking  bonds of slavery
Ending years of servitude,
A leader frees society from
Fear,poverty and illusion

A leader leaves a legacy
By bringing lasting change
Knowledge breaks caged walls
A nation wakes up to freedom

© copyright skm, 6th July, 2011