News & Articles

This infographic illustrates the effects skyglow, caused by light pollution, has on star-count. An analysis from Globe at Night, a citizen-science program run by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab, found that to the human eye, artificial lighting has dulled the night sky more rapidly than has been indicated by satellite measurements.

How fortunate (luck not counting) are we being able to easily know night and day as relatively unspoiled. 

We need not go far afield to find the deepest black silence of night. Astronomers (my dad’s hobby) are sadly aware of light pollution. A night flight reveals the size of humanity’s fluorescent virus spread, impressive and frightening. 

Who’d blame us seeking comforting security inside a circle of light, a thing likely sought by uncounted of our predecessors around campfires outside which were unknown dangers. 

But here’s a rub, a true blister maker. Consider light’s safe circle as highlighting potential victims, making them stand out as targets. Light won’t always bring safety.

As a long ago canoe guide I’d often see the suffering (quite real for them) of city folk who’d not spent time (day or night) in wild woods. The experience unnerved them, sometimes leading to pained constipation rather than face the latrine alone and undefended. 

For whatever reasons, not of my doing, I’d been spared such anxiety. Perhaps it was the good fortune of growing up on the Range where Scout campouts were common enough to get one over the jitters to enjoy the feel of freedom. 

Seeing city folk (among them some relations) squirm and balk, I’d try to ease their fears with anecdotes that at least brought laughs. Having been in enough tents on many a night, I knew the ka-thump of a toad bumbling in the dark alongside a tent could sound like demon footsteps to a head resting on the ground.

That’s another part of the strange gift of darkest night. Something in the unknown sharpens not only fears but senses. We become keyed. Now maybe (you could find some agreement here) I’m unusual, but I enjoyed the dark woods more without my flashlight than with. 

Aside from being a dead giveaway of your presence, a flashlight got in the way of seeing into shades and shadows. Listening in the dark can be useful as seeing. A skunk ambling along does not sound like a hare or toad. When it senses you it goes its way. All you need do is stop and let it go. 

Unlit night patrol was a good experience. Of course much of the time I’d be accompanied by many a highly interested and intent mosquito. Taking the worst of them one at a time made them tolerable. In my tent later I could smile at all that hum so near but of no consequence.

The things taught by dark and silence can’t be put in an article other than suggest that anyone can look into these secret places. The way you’d approach the silent dark will be necessarily different from mine. I personally think that’s part of its value, customized to individual skills, needs,and so on. 

In any case it’s nice to be sometimes reminded of the value dark and quiet in addition to that of light and sound. The Whitman poem about the Learned Astronomer says this well when it speaks of looking up in perfect silence at the cosmos.

But, curse me to perdition, I’m sadly going to do one of those things that cause readers and those around me to pull hair and shriek frustration. I’m going to jump across topics and hope to stick a landing of some sort, or maybe cause a chuckle. Seeing what the dark shows is a thing to consider, a skill or outlook of value in many situations.

Like this. Maybe (and I’m sure you do) you have a friend unable to see the obvious and who, like a person building ever bigger bonfires, wonders why they continue to be such an outstanding target. 

Among friends, some were addictive types so committed to their bonfire way of life it was all but impossible for them to see into the shadows. To, for example, an addict, the possibility they are addicted seems absurdly impossible. 

I had an artist friend who believed self-medication three quarters of the time was normal for everyone. In some circles perhaps. In others no.  

Eyes that are effectively blinded by firelight are not going to be at all reliable among the shades. Well, no, that’s not entirely true. Those eyes may be most adept at unseen horrors and actions of the imagined sort. What might, hasn’t or could occur isn’t night vision though, is it? Call it many things. Recognize its uses. 

But identifying subtle shades of experience is apt to come up a bit shy with skills emphasizing the imaginary. Is there truly a blondagarafalous out there in the dark or is thinking there is a debilitating problem all by itself? Eyes turned cat or dilated see the same world but with different result or contents. I am not saying anything can or should be done other than be aware of what peering into the dark or listening to silences might tell us.

My easily given views on shifting perspectives are walled by limits. It’s one thing, we realize to see things one way while moving slowly on a forest path. It would never be wise to night drive without your lights, would it? 

Though plain enough, the differences are important to remember. 

One – walking is a lot slower than driving, meaning forward directed light in a car is essential, not optional. 

Two – other drivers aren’t like racoons or deer in the darkness. Our lights alert others to our presence, essential to them and us for safety. 

A change of perspective could also be disastrous, as would be learned driving backward at night or with a fake front-end on the back of a vehicle. Usual practice or precedent matters more in some cases than a clever perspective gimmick. 

For reasons you can guess at, clever attention getting stuff often grabs us for clicks, doing so at the expense of being useful. We’re to be dazzled by news of the 10 best this or the breakthrough that without much note given the limits. 

The best according to someone seeking clicks might not be worth a whoop. Same for a breakthrough heating system great for mild climes where 32F is a rarity. New vision sounds good but comes the test.

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