From the film I was able to learn about how radiolarians are surprisingly intricate and tiny organisms that have intricate and unique skeletons that are made up of silica. Their underlying symmetry is mesmerizing due to its complexity and small scale. It proves that nature is beautiful and intentional even to the most minute detail. Haeckel’s work on radiolarians was so interesting because there was never only a focus on their scientific significance. He also understood them for their significance artistically. Throughout his studies, he continued to engage with their nature as cells but also as works of art from the natural world. I think this film showed me how art and science can be irreparably intertwined with one another. Without artistic skill, studying the geometric patterns of the radiolarians would have been a nightmare, and using helped to enhance the scientific understanding of the cells. While they are separate pursuits they can still collaborate in a way that enhances both. I think it was interesting how Haeckel’s environment shaped his understanding of science. Despite his understanding of phylogeny, he still fell to the same trapping of racial sciences as many of his peers. Despite their relevance today, many of his theories are products of their time.
I found it really cool how the film used those sequences of images to help us understand just how diverse the radiolarians are. By the end of the film I found myself realizing that I had almost never seen the same one twice. It really drove home the point that the forms these cells could take is practically inexhaustible.