I woke up this morning with a sense of awe in regards to peripheral vision. I have these weird moments every once in a while. Sometimes I’m amazed with all of the joints in my hands that make it possible to do so many different things with them. I am continually impressed the the design of the human body.
So with peripheral vision, how is it possible that I can see almost 180 degrees when I look forward? It’s like I have eyes on the sides of my head. I guess it has something to do with the curvature of our eyes (although I would think the convex aspect of our eyes would give everything that “fish eye” lens effect). I don’t really know how it works, but I think it’s incredible!
The thing about peripheral vision, though, is that I rarely pay any attention to it. Maybe something will catch the corner of my eye, but then I’ll turn my head and look at it with my full gaze. But that is not an often occurrence.
There are a lot of things in life, and perhaps even a lot of people, that are in the peripherals. Things that nobody pays attention to. People that no one even notices. In Vancouver, for instance, there is a whole community of people living on the street in the downtown east side. Many people just walk on by when they see a homeless person begging for money. They pretend like they don’t even see them. They keep the homeless in the peripheral, where it is safe. I am very guilty of this myself. Part of the problem is that I don’t know what to do to truly help them out (because obviously, for many of them, money will just go to drugs or booze). But I think the bigger issue is that I have kept my life so busy so that I can use the excuse: “I can’t help because I don’t have the time.” Who does have the time? And homeless people are only one group in the peripheral. What about people with special needs, or the elderly, or pregnant teens, or refugees, or prisoners? What about sickness, or disease, or under-funded public transit?
There is a lot in the peripheral and we need artists to turn our heads. We need paintings, songs, dances, films, and writings to catch our eye so that we may look with our full gaze. We need people who are willing to miss an episode of their favorite show in order to have the time to help someone in need. We need to look around and see what’s going on.
Tags: artists, eyes, homeless, peripheral vision, Vancouver
I think the whole drugs and booze argument for not helping homeless is cop-out. Because to make the issue about whether or not you give a guy on the sidewalk spare change or not is to tragically trivialize it.
However, good call on eyeballs. Those things is messed up!!
Here’s a question. Are some things more beautiful in the peripheral? Sometimes, when we scrutinize and stare at something, we break it down and notice all of its flaws and weaknesses. Sometimes a passing glance can imply beauty, which is ruined when seen in full light.
Isn’t implied beauty better than no beauty at all?
I don’t know how/if that applies to homelessness, but it is something to think about.
(in response to Adam) That’s what I’m saying. It’s not about just handing out money or not… there is a lot more to it. People get stuck in a system that is hard to get out of. I am not yet sure what I can do to truly help. Perhaps meeting the people would be a good start. Anyone want to join?