What would the world look like without us? The scientific word is entropy. Things would crack, crumble, and disintegrate. But they would also be invaded — by water, soil, light, life. They would be transformed from the unnatural into the natural. There’s an order behind disorder, an intentionality behind what seems to be random. Life never really ends. It just takes new and sometimes more beautiful forms.
Click on any image to enlarge it, or to start slide show.
I agree. There is a famous sanskrit quote,
“अंतः अस्ति प्रारंभः” (antah asti prarambha) means the end is the beginning.
These are startling and most are quite beautiful. Do you know where the busts of the Presidents is located?
There was a dedicated place – Presidents Park in Williamsburg VA, but that closed in 2010. Now on private property, same town. There are youtube videos. Some of the heads are in bad shape now, cracked, and crumbling
Great research to find these amazing photos, Mitch!
Glad you enjoyed them, Terry!
If I’ve already ranted about this before, just ignore me. I’m having trouble enjoying so many photos like this any more because there’s no way to tell if it’s really a photo or A.I. It really depresses me.
Ever since seeing Logan’s Run as a kid, I’ve been fascinated with the concept of nature retaking civilization. The book “Earth Abides” by George Stewart does a great job of describing the changes that occur to structures (but also civilization) after a a virus wipes out all but a few survivors. Stewart does a great job envisioning how people will change over the subsequent 60 – 70 years.
Sounds like a fascinating book, Jeff.
Btw, I gathered these pictures over five years ago, so I think they’re all pre-AI.
That makes me so happy to hear. I’m truly becoming mournful over how AI is erasing truth.
Thank you for this Post which is very emotive and thought-provoking. It’s also visually very compelling, inspiring some thoughtful reflection.
My pleasure, Talk.
Loving this collection of photos. I love finding abandoned places, especially ones I can get into so I can take pictures. I may have done a bit of unintentional trespassing in the past…..
They do make for marvellous photos, don’t they, Julanne.
I think that is true of the manmade world but I think that the natural world would be delighted without us (except for our pets who depend on us). I often think of those first months of the pandemic when we all stayed in our homes – wild animals emerged from hiding and began grazing on the streets and parks of cities, dolphins reappeared in the Venetian canals, and so on. Thought provoking post, Mitch.
Indeed, Lynn, this is an updated version of a post I did back then.
These are fascinating images of transformations. The ones showing the earth rising up inside abandoned homes and swallowing them from the inside out is fodder for horror movies. 🙂
;>)
Hi Mitch, How are you feeling? Hope you soon feel back to your best self.
This series is one of my favorites. Thanks!
For some time I’ve not been able to get the slide show going on my 2016 Mac. I wonder why.
Blessings and joyful health!
Anne
Hmm, the issue may be with WordPress, Anne. Their slide show feature seems to come and go at will. I’m doing well so far. Blessings to you too, dear friend!
Hi Mitch, thank you for this fun post. I saved a couple of the pictures to my computer. Sorry I did not see your request for access to my blog before now. I am so busy these days, taking care of my ailing husband and our house, our 3 dogs, and doing all the yard work now that my husband is unable, plus writing in my memoir every day — I just don’t have time to blog anymore. I hope you are doing well, I read the comment just before mine asking if you are feeling better. Praying for you now.
I am doing well, Linda, thank you. I’ll be praying for your and your husband as well, dear friend.
I am so glad that you are doing well! Thank you for your prayers. It’s in the 100s here today, I am super grateful for our central AC. Earlier this morning I did about 90 minutes of weed whacking in the front yard. I got a great exercise workout and a sauna experience, all at the same time! 😀
No kidding, Linda!
These pix are astounding! The Russian mansion look like a scene from Dr Zhivago. Hauntingly beautiful photography …. and now I’m very curious about Bannerman Castle in NY, a place I’ve never heard of and I’ve live in NY all my life.
How is your recuperation going, Mitch? Best wishes to you!
So far so good, Nancy. Thank you!
That’s excellent, Mitch. 🙏🏼
I love your pictures
Cool pictures. I especially like the mature (ish) tree growing up through the railroad tracks.
Lovely photos, Mitch. 🙂
These pictures are wonderful. Ot really shows that nature will always win in the end. 🤣😎🙃
Have you read Alan Weisman’s The World Without Us? (http://worldwithoutus.com/about_book.html)
No, I haven’t. I’ll check it out.
Always enjoyable to view your selections of photos. The dentist type chair is more inviting than the o e I went to last week. Recently viewed some toilets in regular use in the provinces which make the picture of the urinals look luxurious. I did in fact do a post on toilets some time ago.https://geoffbrown250533044.wordpress.com/2023/01/02/the-public-toilet-awards-2022/
I always wonder what stories have been lost…
Love the pics, Mitch! There’s a certain beauty in nature taking back, reclaiming spaces abandoned by humans. Glad you’re doing well!
Thank you, Peggy!
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