Meditative Story Loving our living world, by Carl Safina
Aug 12, 2025
Carl Safina, an ecologist and author renowned for his lifelong work with wildlife, shares profound insights about the connections between humans and animals. He reflects on his childhood in Brooklyn, where raising pigeons taught him about responsibility and companionship. Safina discusses the emotional bonds we share with nature, emphasizing that love and connection transcend words. He also addresses the healing power of love in the wake of the Gulf oil disaster, reminding us of the intertwined fates of all living beings.
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Brooklyn Pigeon Coop Childhood
- Carl Safina raised homing pigeons on a Brooklyn rooftop and built a coop with his father.
- He fed, bred, and bonded with the flock, learning about courtship, parenting, and companionship.
Seeing Eye To Eye With An Eagle
- As a child Carl Safina poked a branch through an eagle's cage and played tug-of-war with the bird.
- The moment convinced him animals understand and can mutually attend, not simply act by instinct.
Science Versus Anthropomorphism
- At university Carl Safina learned scientists forbid anthropomorphizing animal minds.
- He counters this with evolutionary continuity and shared neurochemistry that explain similar behaviors across species.