Prison of the Mind

 

Z. Hall is an educator, researcher, blogger, photographer, and poet. A large part of her work focuses on social justice. Her research interests include the history of art controversies, the communication surrounding art conflicts, and how this communication functions within society. She earned a doctorate in communication studies in 2009.

As the author of this blog, Z. writes about topics that, through conversation with members and readers, further understanding of the human condition. Her belief is that public deliberation is beneficial for consciousness raising, building tolerance acceptance, and problem solving.

Prison of the Mind

by

Z. Hall



Image by Annemarie Hoogwoud



I’m breaking free!

Congratulations! How?

Eyes focused anew,

perspectives multiplied,

challenging assumptions

that be

the rock

of

limited pos-si-bi-li-ty.

At midnight’s approach

clubbing the night guard,

taking the keys,

opening the cells,

triggering the sprinklers.

No.

It’s not mayhem.

It is dawn.

Inmates of the mind

have set

themselves

free.

Beyond

the

electric,

chain-link,

mirage

exists

the land of tranquility, 

abundance, and light.

Humanity’s

birthright.

You have my interest.

Liberating

if achieved.

Go on.

The experience

is in

progress.

An epic quest,

invitations to all.

Tell me

of your pilgrimage

when

complete.

Godspeed, trusted, fellow inmate!

Image from: ecnc.org

Thanks for sharing

this leg of the journey.

Acknowledging

movement on the cellblock,

asking, "how?"

This much we have achieved.

Come!

We must gather the others.

© Z. Hall, 2011

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Why is a circle 360 degrees rather than 100?

It’s thought that the ancient peoples of Mesopotamia (Sumerians, Akkadians, and Babylonians) invented the 360-degree circle to describe their observations of the five visible planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) along with the sun and moon. They noticed that the sun’s annual trek across the sky took 360 days.

Image from: http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/images/degrees-360.gif,
modified by the author

Their calendar was divided into 12 months of 30 days each. This base-60 system was utilized further to divide the hour into 60 minutes and the minute into 60 seconds. Base-10 societies, like the U.S., have adapted to this 4,400 year-old creation.

If we place issues that we examine at the center of the circle we have the opportunity to examine the issue from many different perspectives--increasing our ability to fully understand what we are seeing or experiencing. Greater understanding empowers us to improve our lives and the world that we live in.

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