Pixels and People

My dream monitor must have been set to low resolution, because in a recent dream I saw everything in pixels. Typically, you can’t see an individual pixel because it’s so small. Yet, the dream came alive in pixels. Some even shimmered and others seemed to have dimensionality.   When there was movement, the pixels moved in accordance with what they were depicting - playing their part in the big picture.  However, I sensed they could easily merge or blend into another shape.

Thoughts of the dream hovered around me for several days.  I know what a pixel is, but was very curious to know the technical definition.  The term pixel, defined by TechTerms.com, is actually short for “Picture Element.”  These small dots are what make up the images on computer displays and monitors.  The screen is divided into a matrix of thousands or even millions of pixels. Because they are so small, people see clear images rather than blocky, “pixelated” ones.  I didn’t realize that each pixel can only be one color at a time, and that the intensity of each pixel is variable.  But since they are so small, pixels often blend together to form various shades and blends of colors. 

People are like pixels in many ways.  We are individuals first.  It is most important to recognize and validate your unique perspective – your puzzle piece, your pixel.   As we come together, we shape ideas and color concepts that create communities, cultures, sciences, arts, and governments.  We are the element of a picture emerging in each moment.  The question is: how do we align, and what do we design?

Interestingly in my research, I found there is a voxel – a volume element, and texel – a texture element. As always, there’s much more to explore. Join me.