Checks and Balances

It has been a while since I last posted. This is not for lack of inspiration; there have been a few topics I wanted to write about, but I wasn't sure if my thoughts would be taken as I intended them, so I decided against sharing them publicly. It feels unnatural not to share, but I guess that's what a private journal is for!

Speaking of natural - I have been re-watching Blue Planet recently. It is just as incredible as it was the first time I saw it. A couple of stories in particular stuck out for me, and I would like to share them.

1. The Sun Fish and the Half Moon Fish

For a sap like me, this is a lovely example of how an odd couple of fish that would seem to be likely enemies (based on size and diet) are able to establish a mutually beneficial relationship. The sun fish is a LARGE fish (up to 4 meters long) and unfortunately, lots of parasites want to use it as a host. Luckily, the half moon fish are willing to act as the sun fish's own (tiny) personal hygienists. Half moon fish will clean the sun fish by eating all the parasites off of it. This symbiotic relationship (I can now only hear this phrase in the voice of my friends' 3-year-old son since he learned it on Diego or Dora) is a natural system of checks and balances in the ocean. The sun fish will not fall ill to the parasites, and the half moon fish get a good meal without the fear of being devoured by the sun fish.


2. Hatchet Fish and Predator

On Blue Planet, they called this an "Evolutionary Arms Race" and I can't beat that perfect terminology. This relationship opposes the last; these two fish do not use each other's strengths to supplement their weaknesses, but rather use their own strengths to exploit the other's weaknesses. They are creatures of the deep sea who utilize what little light exists there to hide from and seek prey. The hatchet fish is able to employ photophores on its underside to perfectly match the color of the water (and light) above them; it does this to make itself virtually invisible to predators below. However, one predator (which was left unnamed) has a counter-attack to this genius tactic: its giant yellow eyes are able to distinguish the light created by the photophores from the light created by the sun, making the hatchet fish visible once again. This is a brilliant natural application of Newton's Third Law (of motion?): For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.



Opposites attract. There is something to be said about the yin and yang of a relationship: the strengths of one being fill in the deficiencies of another. This is true of people as well, and the outcome can be equally as uncertain. A person whose strengths and weaknesses oppose your own can be either your greatest asset or your strongest opponent. As a friend, this person can promote your personal growth by utilizing and thus appreciating your strengths and inspiring your development in areas of weakness by leading by example. But... if this person is a foe, it is only a matter of time until they swim up from under you and attack.