"Animalcules and Other Little Subjects"

In life sometimes it is better to look at something small then the big picture. Maybe a “little subject” holds the larger image. Didn’t we learn that the very first week of this semester in our “small object, BIG SUBJECT” discussion? Mark Smith has interests in something so small it could fit under our fingernails. His interest in Animalcules is not something many enjoy but learning about these bacteria’s is not the sole purpose of his article. The reason for Smith’s satisfaction is simply because he doesn’t need something big, expensive and showing to please him. He is a simple guy who enjoys the smaller things in his life. “For some reason I often feel calm and reassured afterward, perhaps because I realize how much room remains for more.” (Smith, 260) That is exactly it! Everyday while he is exploring these microscopic worlds, he knows that he has yet to discovered everything. I mean how could someone get board of a new excitement everyday! I mean of course Animalcules isn’t for everyone and I know I would be rather board with the topic, but for someone like Mark Smith it is amazing.

I laughed at the thought of his wife’s, nieces and nephew’s reaction because I know that would have probably been the same as mine. However, all of us who aren’t interested in something microscopic are missing the picture as well. “Life fills and overfills the world from puddle to ocean, from dirt clod to mountaintop.” (Smith, 272) Think of it in the sense of “Just Add Water” and “food miles.” Why fill your life with technology and these big electronic toys when something so magical is right under your nose. Little do you know that every time you look down there is a tiny atmosphere and another organism’s world?