The notion of community is at the heart of all cultures, religions and civilizations. Philosophers have long dreamed of utopian societies. They envision a family, nation, and community. Unity can lead to a feeling of love, compassion, bliss, and joy. Modern society has lost sight of the benefits of unity, and instead focuses on the individual. Our desire to live in a utopian society seems clouded by our obsession with individualism and our constant struggle for success. The concept of community is about people working together to achieve a common goal. Capitalism forces men to fight against one another for the same selfish goal. Ansel Adam captured the conflict between individualism as well as communism with his 1944 photograph Mount Williamson.
Mount Williamson is found in the Sierra Nevada’s Foothills. Ansel’s simple photograph shows how modern society views the destruction of community. The photo shows a large valley that is covered with huge boulders. Each boulder has its own unique size, shape and color, but they share the same characteristic: they are all boulders. These boulders are a metaphor for humanity. Each of us is unique and all connected by the common thread that is humanity. However, our individual focus can blind us to the difficulties of others. The boulders stood in front Mount Williamson’s massive mountain. They contain an aura that reflects divinity. Adams’ photograph clearly illustrates this understanding. The mountains sparkle with light from the heavens. It is obvious that the mountains represent a God in all her glory. However, the boulders look weak and helpless as they are buried under the pain of their earthly sins. The boulders appear to be ready for Mount Williamson’s judgment. At the moment of death, the human race should also be ready for its own judgement.
Mount Williamson is both a symbol of our judgement and our salvation. The photograph shows that mountains are formed from boulders. The fragile ecosystem that is nature cannot be supported by one boulder, but a mountain can. Mountain life allows for the survival of plants and other animals. The base of an ecosystem is made up of many boulders, not just one. This notion of home is true for everyone. We can accomplish so much more if we can all unite and form our own “mountains” or community. One can have love, compassion, or humanity, but many can create it.
The lighting is what makes the photograph stand out. Adams uses shadows and shades to create this image. Feelings of oppression or fear are triggered by the darkness that covers individual boulders. These elements create the impression that the valley is hidden in conflict and sin. We begin to feel alone when we see the boulders. As though our bodies are searching for comfort, we want to shout. Mountains have a different feeling. The mountains are lit by the sun’s rays, creating an atmosphere that is respectful and full of true enlightenment. This is how humanity is directly connected to unity. The true meaning of wisdom and divinity is created when boulders come together to form mountains. The same holds true for humanity. The results of a cohesive society are built when we unite to create a common foundation.
The mountains of unity in society today are slowly being eroded, and individuals have to take on the responsibility of the human condition. Every day is a reminder of this. While families struggle to survive in this society, the government is dropping yet another bomb over the heads of struggling nations. It is a flawed society that funds and idolizes talented celebrities but doesn’t pay any respect to doctors or teachers. These jobs are essential for a successful society, but they don’t earn the highest wages or have the greatest esteem.
Conner Lloyd, a brilliant student and athlete, is also a great friend. We met during the summer of separating the giant leap between middle school and high school. It was at a camp for summer rowers. Because our friendship was unique, it didn’t have one defining moment. Our first meeting seemed like another cycle. His report card was flawless, his family was happy, and he had incredible athletic abilities. I tried to be like him, but he persuaded me to go with him on the novice boys rowing crew.
Conner was in an automobile accident at the beginning of the spring. His seemingly perfect world was shattered. The drunk driver took a dangerous turn, hitting directly the PG &E vehicle. He sustained serious injuries and was not discharged from the ICU for nearly two weeks. Conner is slowly recovering after many months of physical therapy. However, these kinds of achievements cannot be achieved by one person.
The remarkable triumph he achieved was because he had the support of his family. His family brought sleeping bags and spent many hours together with the doctors. The nurses knew his friends on a first-name basis. His recovery can be described as Adams’ Mount Williamson photo. Conner’s health is like Mount Williamson. His recovery was built on the strength of his family, doctors and support friends. The mountains would eventually crumble and erode without the unity of the boulders.
William A. Ward was a well-known Harvard rowing coach. Ward, the famed Harvard rowing coach, once stated to his team, “adversity cause some men to beat; and others record breaking.” But nothing could prepare us for fear and adversity. We went as a team to Conner Lloyd’s ICU unit. He was still dependent on many machines for survival. With the constant bleeps from the heart monitor, we became a family. Our team was transformed by the sterile hospital. This wasn’t a casualty of a car accident. He was our brother.
Conner was starting to move outside of his hospital room. As a result, our team felt a new incentivizing factor and it was evident in our race results. Our coach said that the team was only as fast and efficient as its slowest rower at the start of the season. And we found out when we got to the regional finals that our slowest rower was pretty fast. Sixteen boats came from six states to compete for the gold medal. All of our sweat, blood, and tears were put into one race over 2,000 meters.
As we looked around at our competitors, we started to question everything. We saw our competition all around us and began to question everything. We were last at 500m, but we started to see the value of joining together. We began to connect in a matter of seconds. We were able to glide across the water thanks to our bodies joining together in a robotic rhythm. After ten strokes, the last one became second. By a mere third of a second, it was first. Conner, in his wheelchair, was beaming joyously as we all gathered to celebrate our victory.
Adam’s lens shows that Adam and the rest of the team were initially individual boulders struggling to make it big. Conner’s death, however, made us feel like the family we needed. At the Regional Championships, many boulders from different backgrounds came together and became the essential Mountains in Williamson. They also achieved a shared set of goals.
Ansel Adam’s Mount Williamson picture shows a troubling image of reality about modern society. A community can produce the same results as an individual, but we are not able to achieve them individually. Unity and teamwork result in a stronger sense of divinity. This creates compassion and humanity.