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Brownian Motion is the random movement of particles in a liquid or gas. I first saw it as a freshman in college while looking through a microscope at fat droplets suspended in distilled water. The droplets danced and moved and bumped into each other with seemingly confused purpose. It’s one of my favorite physical phenomena because it feels like it can often be applied on a larger scale to very concisely describe reality. Take for instance this statement: those six year-olds seem to have adopted a Brownian Motion style of soccer play. Or this one: when looking for lost keys my wife’s movements seem to be rather Brownian.
Every day I have Brownian encounters with people previously unknown to me. Whether it’s a brief word with someone in line at the bookstore or, over the din of a farmers market, hearing a plea for help from the mother of a seizing child. These chance meetings intrigue me. Even though they’re over in the blink of an eye, they seem important. Each of us has made an impact on the other in a very tangible way. Somewhere deep in the biochemistry of the mind something physical, chemical, and biological changes irrevocably allowing us a lasting memory of the event. It’s no small thing to physically change another person’s brain. I think of it as a responsibility. How much better the world will be if during these Brownian Motion encounters we endeavor to make sure the mind-changes we leave in our fellow human beings are always positive.
29 Comments
glad you included the two subjects – makes for a more interesting composition.
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Appreciate that Faisal! Thanks!
Very interesting shot. I like the curves.
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Thanks very much Jason–appreciate that!
Very smart shot, looks like a George Orwell scene. Human beings walking in machines Well seen, congrats!
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Thanks very much Michael!
Michael: I thought this image felt like something but wasn’t sure what until reading your comment. You hit the nail on the head… Orwellian
Chris: I like the lines and curves, the black and white treatment and the eerie disembodied heads.
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Cool! Thanks D.K.!
Brilliant image and caption Christopher. I feel a little smarter whenever I visit your blog. So, as for me, your influence is positive. I’m going to have to remember good ole Brownian Motion.
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Thank you so much Doug. The feeling’s very mutual!
Very clever shot Christopher.
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Thanks so much Kala!
Great photo. So simple, yet I keep looking at it. I can’t wait to see more
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Really appreciate that my friend! Thanks!
fantastic shot Chris and another lovely insight.
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Thanks so much Gemma!
very interestingle framed the lines and faces as elements to attract the eye…
good one
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Thanks Ayesha!
You just taught me something new today
its brilliant!
the two people in the shot looks like robots on a conveyor belt
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Thank you Anny!
what a marvel!!!! love this lineas it’s a very special composition Chris, absolutely clever and wonderful
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Thanks so much for the kind words Fabrizio!
The lines would be wonderful on their own, but the people really bring this shot together for me. Fabulous. (And you know I love a strong dose of Science Geek.)
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True story–I originally titled this post Bobbing By but then considered naming it after the text of the post. I was explaining the virtues of the change to my wife and said, “I don’t know, Brownian Motion seems more…” at which didn’t miss a beat and said, “geeky?” Thanks Corinna. Power to the geeks!
great work, realization Christopher
mas krasnu a preciznu pracu, skvele podanie … ahoj K
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Veľmi vám ďakujem za milé slová Klaudia! Thanks so much!
I really like the sense of fun with this one, and yes, prefer the white…talk about moving heads! lol! Excellent.
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Thanks Alexandra! Appreciate that!
Great shot, I love the lines and the theme of this shot, but I kind of like the one in color more
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Cool, thanks Ryan!
This is a cool shot! I love how their bodies are hidden and their heads are floating among the metal. I can imagine them being on an escalator or steps floating up and down all day.
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I know huh, me too. Thanks Michael!
Very cool minimal perspective. I like your choice in processing as well.
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Thanks Sherri!
Great composition! And very nice idea.
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Thanks very much K.!
Un cliché qui illustre bien le mouvement brownien. Une photo qui peut paraître minimaliste à première vue mais qui ne l’ai pas. Terriblement bien construite, je la trouve géniale cette photo… Et ta femme, elle a retrouvé ses clé depuis?
Bonne journée, Christopher.
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Merci beaucoup Olivier – même à vous, mon ami!
A great shot Christopher – really like those line and the disembodied heads.
Brownian Motion sound similar to chaos, about whichNeitzsche said “You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.”
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Indeed–great quote! Thanks George!
what a fantastic abstract shot, great framing and composition, well seen!
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Thank you so much yz!
very artsy! i love it …. !
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Thanks Crash!
Very good!
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Thank you Theys!
Excellent shot! The two subjects make the difference.
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Thank you Tom!
Your images and thoughts are often so very thought-provoking, Christopher. This one especially! These barely-conscious moments that you speak of often show up in dreams if one pays attention. I have marveled upon awakening how something so brief in my daily life can show up in elaborate detail in my dream. We do indeed, have incredible power to influence as well as be influenced by each other and the world as a whole. Your image is a wonderful example of these moments!
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So true Diane; it’s impossible to tell from these fleeting encounters how much of an impact they’ll make on us (and each other) consciously or subconsciously. Many thanks!
minimalistic and creative!
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Thanks Joshi!
Simple, original and creative compostion. Excellent work!
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Thanks very much Pau!
funny shot and well choise to convert it in b&w
Wow, what a catch. I just did a photo project called “boundaries” and this one would have been perfect. One to be proud of!