I watched a butterfly die today. It was a very strange experience.
For the first time in my life, I had the opportunity to just sit next to a butterfly and watch it be still. I really wanted to take advantage of this proximity and snap a few photos while I had the chance, but was torn about the intrusiveness and insensitivity of doing so as the little creature took its last breaths. I am sure it seems silly (and borderline PETA-activist-crazy) to many folks that I would worry about disrupting this one single butterfly when, in the grand scheme of things, I am responsible for causing far greater environmental harms. But I think this type of argument is misleading b/c it really confuses consciousness with responsibility- whether I am able to act responsibly and correct/avoid certain “bads,” should not negate my duty to be conscious of all that is “bad.”
Ultimately, I chose to take the photos and, as a result, must take responsibility for the impact of my decision. But, I also appreciate the rarity and honor of being able to capture the image of something so beautiful as it died.
