I took chemistry in high school and college. Although the setting up of the experiments were tedious….the carefully planned results were truly amazing. We had to begin our studies with simple experiments and repeatedly follow the strict rules of our teacher. One drop too many of a certain compound and the whole lab could explode! So, the first thing we needed to learn was discipline and structure. And yes, I got in trouble quite a few times for not following the procedures…..I burnt my hand one time!
When I first looked at purple_scorp’s picture, I thought where’s the students and then realized it could be you and me! We’re probably settling into our seats as the teacher carefully sets up his planned experiment. To him, these are old experiments and have been done in his classroom countless times….but for the students it’s a whole new discovery! And it will be with focused determination and patience, that they will pass this class and succeed to other things. OR are we the teacher?
The more I delve into the Sabian Symbols the more I’m understanding that rituals and traditions that have been passed down through the ages are so very important. Yes the world and nature is constantly changing, and we have absolutely no control over this….but the strong and stable influence of tradition, gives us a foothold to stand on. It’s orderly, formal and (sometimes) offers good counsel. Something, I know, I’m having to learn in this lifetime.
We’ve made great strides in researching and discovering the cure for different diseases, such cancer and heart disease. I chose to discuss the discovery of insulin….in remembrance of my brother who passed away from a diabetic coma.
Frederick Banting (nobel prize winner) was a major player in the discovery of insulin. At first, he started from the basics…..from the original experiments and experiences done by others before him. But his passion and search for a cure didn’t stop there. He started changing the formula, a little bit at a time. Obsessed by this challenge he rarely ventured out of his lab, exploring diabetes and tracking it back to its source. Goodness there must have been ohh millions of different combinations. (Hmm, makes me think of the combination locks we had in school…now what were those numbers?) Banting knew the effect, now he wanted to discover not only the cause but the cure. There were short-term advantages and disappointments to his results…..and…..he suffered greatly from the rigid and narrow dogma of a hard-nosed society. But he didn’t give up!! He truly wanted to help the people who were suffering from this disease.
Problem solving depends on creative and novel solutions. When we find ourselves stuck in routine modes of thought, we run the risk of becoming bored, inflexible and rigid. Although trends do show us we repeat and duplicate….I think this is more because they are cheaper to manufacture, acceptable and easy. But I see these as a superficial solution that ignores the complexity of our ever-changing world. Perhaps this symbol is telling us we need to cultivate an eye for deeper answers that come from unexpected places. We need a blending of ideas and a constant stream of creativity from all different kinds of sources. We have artists, poets, authors, and of course, scientists, who offer new ideas to the boldest of dreamers.
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