Have You Thanked a Whale Today?
Do you like late night television?
Thank a whale.
How about that cool device you're looking at? And quick pizza delivery?
Thank a whale.
Whales are responsible for where you are and what you're doing right now. If you're here upvoting and curating - and just so you know I'm psychotic I mean psychic :) and I see you reading this- If you are enjoying Steemit then you have some whales to thank.
Hell, if not for whales you wouldn't have cute cat fails or a refrigerator of food or a comfy bed. It's been long thought that Mary Shelly's Frankenstein would have never been conceived if it weren't for whales. And the great classic Moby Dick was obviously spawned by whales.
Around the time the Cotton Gin was being invented, Americans discovered whale oil as frugal and widely available and perfect for lamps. And thus began illuminating the night.
Suddenly we had more hours in which we could be productive.
Suddenly, we had more time.
Innumerable wonders and advancements began or grew with the widespread use of whale oil. Real and imagined threats were kept at bay with a warm glow. Whale oil allowed us to finally vanquish our debilitating primordial fear of the dark.
Author Roger Ekirch details an interesting find in his captivating history of the night titled At Day's Close- never in history had humans been more afraid of the night than in the period immediately preceding our ability to conquer it. To think, just when history's scariest, greatest monsters were at their peak assailing people's minds and realities was when whale oil was discovered- the perfect example of necessity breeding invention.
Whale oil lanterns opened a whole new world of possibilities. Now people could do more. See more. Learn more. Create more.
Be more.
Oil extracted from whale blubber and boiled in giant pots lit most of the Western World for over a century from the 1700's through the mid-1800s, when superior alternatives, then environmental laws, were developed. Whaling was the fifth largest industry in America with a fleet of 735 ships out of the 900 in the world.
Unfortunately, it was one of the most destructive industries in history: In 1853 when American whaling was peaking 8000 whales were slaughtered for oil to light lamps across the globe in one year.
Aside from the whole brutal carnage and near annihilation of a beautiful and necessary creature thing, it can be said that whales paved the way for the Technological Age. And that it wouldn't have happened, especially so fast, or, if it did, it would look vastly different than it does today.
You and I would certainly be doing something very different right now if it weren't for the cheap and widely available oil giving us more time in our days to create and learn all those years ago.
Have you thanked a whale today? Because it appears we owe a lot to those majestic giants of the sea, at the very least a surplus of gratitude.
Be sure to thank our Steemit whales, too. They swim by and smile upon us, making our day. They deserve some love, too.
Because truly, none of us would be where we are without the contribution of a whale or two.
)The Strays
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You reminded me of some steampunk video game I played a few years back that had whale oil powering everything..
Interesting!
I adore coming across tidbits of interesting info or history while gaming, so as a Game Writer I found myself naturally weaving my own random gems in my creations.
The funny thing is I didn't fully realize I was doing it, lol, until am associate mentioned it and everyone around pointed their own findings out!
But now that I know I'm thrilled that I do it :)
It sure adds a certain depth, doesn't it?
definitely!
What a classic post hon!!! Have really missed your contributions to this space! PS. Not sure if you are already... but don't forget to share your posts in the PHC server as this is where our members seek out content. (just don't forget to support someone and tag them at the same time) :)
Thanks hun :D
I usually support and tag two or three others. Is the requirement only one? lol! Even if it is I will continue with my 2-3 ;)
Such a great book, I re-read it last year.
It really lets you get into the mood of the age in a way no possible historian could take you there.
Exactly!
And the word arrangement is brilliant. At the same time poetic, almost melodic in a raw starkness .
He was without a doubt an extraordinarily gifted word-weaver.
Yeah. I remember hating it when I was forced to read it in high school. I think the really slow pace of reading and the endless analysis kills pretty much anything. It was written in plain English, but so many people were complaining that it was difficult. I get that with foreign language stuff or stuff that may as well be in a foreign language like Shakespeare or James Joyce.
Anyway, I remember https://steemwhale.io/ was a dollar well spent. Not sure if it is still working, maybe it sleeps during winter, but it was a fun way to use STeem.
Yes, that and honestly I believe being forced to read something, especially during those naturally rebellious teen years, makes the material less likely to be enjoyed.
#flashback lol! I'd forgotten about #steemwhale!
I too was forced to read it in school. You remind me that now is a perfect time as any to read it again. My mind and maturity is ready now. I shall appreciate it more. ☺️
I hope so. It worked for me, anyway. Happy reading!
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Thank you!
For sure, whales are really important! And we owe much gratitude to them... for so many things. And I am always grateful when I see them here in Discovery Bay, down the hill from our house!
You're so fortunate! I lived right on the beach and the only times I got to see whales was on holiday at the Oregon coast!
#blessing :)
Happy to thank the literal whales. I feel less positively about the Steem whales who foisted hf21/22 on us.
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I haven't even been back long enough to research, can you share the biggest points or worst ramifications?
Sure!
The worst impact, I think, has been the curve. Anyone receiving less than 20+ Steem on their payouts on a post gets even less than they would for the same weight of votes under HF20. The difference is given to the highest-value posts. So, the authors who are the most popular (often because they are whales themselves) now get even more of the pie, and the vast majority of authors get even less. The problem is compounded because there's now a disincentive to vote for content you like if you don't think it will do well, because your curation rewards will be even more less.
The math of it seems to be an attempt to consolidate more and more Steem in the hands of those who already have it, which seems like the opposite of the direction we should be taking.
Oh, no. This is not good at all.
Thanks for sharing that @improv
Yeah, it's a big bummer.
Whales are magnificent creatures! Love them!
I always try to do this when I can. Although, the reception to this is not always taken as it is was meant to be delivered. Sometimes I am ignored or I get a brief “yeah sure thanks” remark. I am sure they think I am ‘fishing’ no pun intended.. haha.. for votes. I for one really am sincere in my thankfulness. It’s been more about the connections over the steem payout. I totally agree with you, if it weren’t for their investment, this would all fall apart. Thanks for writing this post and thanks for your continued support and contribution to the platform 😊
It’s been more about the connections over the steem payout ~ 100% yes!
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Wonderful point of view!! Kind of amazing how whale impact our lives.
It is pretty amazing when you look at it!
:)