Of Steam Engines and Snapdragons

Summary

The web content reflects on the concept of beauty through the lens of nature, as seen in snapdragon flowers, and human-made creations, such as steam locomotives, suggesting that both can evoke a deep emotional response and are worthy of being considered beautiful.

Abstract

The article "Of Steam Engines and Snapdragons" delves into the nature of beauty, contrasting the organic elegance of snapdragon flowers with the mechanical beauty of steam locomotives like the 3801 and the Stirling Single 4–2–2. The author, John Rose, shares a personal journey of reconnecting with nature and his past through gardening and forest walks, which leads to a profound appreciation for the living beauty of snapdragons. This appreciation is paralleled with the awe inspired by the power and engineering of historic steam engines, prompting a contemplation on how humans anthropomorphize non-living objects to better relate to them. The essay concludes with the author embracing the subjective nature of beauty, accepting that both the natural world and human-made machines can be beautiful in their own right.

Opinions

The author finds snapdragon flowers stunningly beautiful, especially when captured in an unexpected photograph that serendipitously included light haloes.
The beauty of the steam locomotive 3801 evokes mixed emotions and nostalgia for the author, reminding them of family and simpler times.
The Stirling Single 4–2–2 is described as the most beautiful locomotive the author has ever seen, representing simple, beautiful, and elegant engineering.
The author acknowledges a conflict in defining the beauty of machines like the 3801 and the Stirling Single, which are non-living, compared to the inherent beauty of living things like snapdragons.
The article suggests that humans naturally anthropomorphize objects, referring to locomotives as "she" and attributing them human qualities to better understand and appreciate them.
The author concludes that beauty is a quality that transcends the living and the mechanical, and that it is acceptable to assign human characteristics to non-human entities, as it is part of the human experience to do so.

Beautiful Steam?

Must admit after seeing 3801 steaming yesterday, Full of head butting conflicting emotions.

Loved seeing 3801 memories of family loving simple times, Always considered 3801 beautiful and strong, Alive with restrained power.

UK Railway Museum visited Back in 70's, Exhibits included most beautiful locomotive I’ve ever seen Stirling Single 4–2–2, Simple beautiful and elegant engineering beyond compare.

Now I am conflicted, No trouble describing Snapdragons as beautiful, But how do I describe Stirling Single and 3801?

NSW Govt. Railways. 3801. Pacific Class, 4–6–2. Picture from bridge near my apartment yesterday by John Rose.

Everything is Beautiful.

Steam locomotives bygone era and part of me lingers there still.

Changed over years, Started with managing health and exercise, Now reconnecting and better understanding my emotional critters, Through gardening and forest walks found peace, Discovered and connected with Gaia.

Seeing 3801 again raised question about beauty, After loving look snapdragons today easily understand their living beauty, But what of 3801 which after all is mechanical contrivance?

Anthropomorphism is another issue Both 3801 and Stirling Single are referred to as “she” and even I told grandkids “3801, she is beautiful”, My thought is we humans are hardwired to think in terms of living things, We find it easier to think about and explain concepts of things by assigning them human qualities.

There is only one emotional response for quality of beauty, Of course I have anthropomorphized Gaia and my car, Not to mention Favorite rocks, Decided I’d just go with flow, Stop worrying and debating after all I’m only human and 3801 and Stirling are beautiful.

Blessed be.

Of Steam Engines and Snapdragons

The Nature of Beauty.

Beautiful Snapdragons

Beautiful Steam?

Everything is Beautiful.