To Our “Surprise!”

My jaw drops at how susceptible to wonderments we Earthlings are, and gawking is the evidence. When a moment comes our way that takes us off our guard, to our surprise, we are caught in a moment of “Surprise!” And that’s similar to hearing guests yell “Surprise!” at the start of an unexpected birthday party for someone very special.

Surprise moments helped spring Staying Awake into budding a publication. I wanted to remind readers of barely noticeable ‘pop in’ nudges. Rather like being half awake or momentarily dulled, we too often put “Surprise!” nudges into imaginary files marked ‘take for granted,’ ‘forgettable’, or ‘secrets.’

Early Earthlings’ “Surprise!” satisfaction was likely realized when they discovered they were hearing the flapping of wings, the splashing of water, the birthing of kids, the quaking ground beneath their feet; they watched each others’ snickering, sniggling, talking, walking; they heard drum beats and danced and sang at the same time around something they discovered, and we call it fire; they nurtured seeds for flowers and food, and gawked at the soil for its magical wonderments. Those hooligans discovered they could paint characters on walls of caves and other peoples’ tombs; they beheld as guardians the Sun, moon, and stars, and deified swells of superstitions. Today, we build bridges, walls, tunnels, superhighways, pyramids, skyscrapers, coliseums, cathedrals, mega church buildings, super jets, humongous telescopes, and spaceships shipping thermonuclear armaments. And we’ve not stopped gawking at the stuff we build.

A brilliant and fun experiment demonstrates to our “Surprise!” the ease of causing groups of Earthlings to stop and gawk—eyebrows raised, jaws dropped, fingers pointed, hands applauding, voices laughing—in moments of persuaded curiosity in Grand Central Station, New York USA. Duration 2:16.

Sometimes click videos twice to begin.

Our constant curiosity is key
to watching what’s being created.
~ David Moorhead