Micro Panorama Thumbnail for Social Sharing Sites

Mortality

(September 19-29, 2013)

Richard C. Drew

Where Steel, Clothes and Dreams Go to Die...

Jim Cole

Fossils and the End of Mortality

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland, Oregon, USA

June 20, 2013, 16:50 UTC (9:50 am local time)

Loading panorama viewer ...
Configuring ...

© 2013 Jim Cole, All Rights Reserved.

Help
Caption
This is the paleontology lab at OMSI -- the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. OMSI exhibits include both natural science and technology, and they offer many educational opportunities. The paleontology lab showcases work on real fossil excavation, as well as the fossils themselves. More about OMSI here.

Fossils remind us that mortality has been around for as long as life itself, yet fossils also illustrate immortality. In a sense, these animals continue to exist, almost as humans persist as statues. But there is a big difference: fossils are not just representations of animals -- they are the animals themselves, only now with slower and simpler chemistry. For what has really changed about them? Is there any real difference between chemical reactions that are fast and complex, and those that are slow and simple? Is there any real difference between life and death?

Of course! There is far more to life than fancy chemistry, and even more to humanity than natural life. This truth is the beginning of the end of mortality, for mortality itself has an end. The spark that makes us uniquely human exists beyond mortality, although flickering because of this world's darkness. But what we physically sense is not all of reality, and with open eyes we can see a path beyond. There is one who defeated death, and because of that he is a door onto this path of light, and is himself a pure light into eternity. Christ is the end of mortality.
Equipment
Nikon D300, Nikkor 10.5mm fisheye, Nodal Ninja 5, PTGui, Pano2VR, Photoshop

PLEASE RESPECT THE ARTIST’S WORK. All images are copyright by the individual photographers, unless stated otherwise. Use in any way other than viewing on this web site is prohibited unless permission is obtained from the individual photographer. If you're interested in using a panorama, be it for non-profit or commercial purposes, please contact the individual photographer. The WWP can neither negotiate for, nor speak on behalf of its participants. The overall site is copyright by the World Wide Panorama Foundation, a California Public Benefit Corporation. Webdesign © by Martin Geier www.geiervisuell.com