Microbes & Me

[@JamsGerms]

(Text in the description continues here, read the description first) . One Friday while I was collecting samples, I got a text from my girlfriend. I read the text with sample tubes in my hand: basically her text told me that she wasn’t coming home, and that our relationship was over because of my depression. She said I would never be a happy person. I had started to have panic attacks that day. It was horrible to feel helpless in a foreign country and the breakup was the last drop. For the first time in my life, I realized I needed help and that’s how I got into therapy. Boy oh boy, it changed my life. I learned that what I felt and experienced had happened to others before, and even though we are different individuals, we suffer quite similar to each other. For me, therapy was like learning a new language, I was learning to speak “feelings” and once I started to understand what they were telling me, they weren’t so hard to deal with at all! Even though we are unique individuals, we have similar patterns! . I kept exploring and learning. Over time I realized that I was no longer trying to fit in somewhere. Seeing microbes under the microscope day and night made me understand that I was already a part of something magical: life! My conscious mind was formed by billions of unconscious cells. Somehow my neurons’ cooperative work was allowing me to think, dream and adore. But then when you think about the pond I sample often, it’s not too far-fetched to think that the pond itself is like a body with a bunch of unconscious cells living in it. And then you can expand that to think about all the living things on Earth-some more complex than others, but in essence still just single smaller units in a body we call life! . I don’t need to try to be part of something, when I already know I am a part of everything. . James Weiss . Proud to be a part of the #creatorsontheedge program, sponsored by @ontheedgeconservation working with @tommustill & @evaniakeziaoofs from Gripping Films.

[@MoonDisast]

thank you very much for sharing this deeply personal topic with us, with the whole world. i guess it wasn't an easy decision, but, as you frame it, since we're just cells of a bigger organism that is life, i suppose it isn't all too difficult to share some bits with your neighbouring cells

[@mamymimma]

❤️

[@krisfaith542]

Part of my life too and I am so lucky for that. Thank you.

[@Catastropheshe]

Oh my, that's cruel wtf.. who says such things... And what for.... And ye it's kinda awesome to think that we are a conscious chunks of microcosmoses ourselves, the idea of cells working together every day to fight back the entropy, death and decay, rouge immortal cells(cancer), random mutations and errors, and that even our deaths are processes of different cells dying at different times even hours after our concious is gone.. it's crazy. And we are never alone... As we are colonies of "we" 🤯 And still ppl are super stupid and care, kill and destroy for stuff that don't matter at all in perspective... 🤦🏼‍♀️😕

[@Catastropheshe]

Oh and read the first part I feel like I should apologize for Poland greeting you badly... 😶 on behalf of all Polish "cells" who are not toxic 😕 There are good ppl out there, now prob more visible hosting Ukrainian "cells" in their homes.. hope you don't think bad about us cause one person was fkd up ☹️

[@krisfaith542]

This video is beautiful. You are beautiful. Your heart and love and passion and artistry show through everything you do. Always evolving, always voyaging, always being so brave. For a person who studies the microscopic things, you sure leave a MACRO impact on this world and for people in it. ♥️

[@funnyjewguy]

Continue writing that story and enjoy all the twists and turns of its plot. Inspiration and hope can arise from the least likely and most mundane of sources: be it drops on a slide or drops on our cheek. The magic of the world has never been hidden from any one of us, it is just waiting to be noticed. The impact you’ve made through your passion and curiosity may not at first be as easy to see as the bright stars across the night sky, but with a little light and a little focus you can see the interactions beneath the side of our lives: us viewers whose own imaginations and curiosities are sparked by your source energy. Thank you for giving us the gift of perspective to see what life has been trying to show for so long.

[@ramonpapke4609]

Thank you so much for your story. You opened my eyes.

[@hollywhiteoak7745]

You've certainly added a lot to my enjoyment with your videos. I studied microbiology in school decades ago, but then a career, and life made me busy. I'm now a few years from retirement and you've inspired me to look at the small world again.

[@robertpitt8418]

Yes i agree with jams, that looking in the mirror for far to long can sometimes leave you feeling bewildered and lost for words : )

[@AHIDDENWORLDmicrobiology]

CONGRATULATIONS JAMES!!!! I love your microscopy story and also your videos. :)

[@DoppiaDx]

Thanks for sharing your story. Those videos are mesmerizing, may i ask you what are the soundtracks used? they really fit the images

[@bumblebaa2327]

I'm at ease with my life since you showed me life at the small scale :D Depression is at bay now, for me, thank you. I hope you have good moments today.

[@simone222]

Beautiful story of hope and new beginnings, Jam. I'm suffer from anxiety and bipolar disorder and nature (esp. the sea) is the biggest part of my health regimen. Thank you for sharing with us your love and knowledge of the wonderful world of microbes.

[@thisismyalias]

Thank you. Watching this video gave me back a little hope.

[@jimurrata6785]

Thank you for sharing your story and your passion for a universe most of us don't have a chance to see with our own eyes. I've felt like you describe for most of my many years on this planet, and appreciate your inspiration. ❤️ ☮️

[@FlamesOfTyphon]

Utterly beautiful.

[@mymicroverse]

Honestly an amazing story, we love you Jam

[@AGDinCA]

A world without and a world within... and another world within that one.

[@465maltbie]

Thank you for your efforts to film and share what you observe. When I was 10 my father gave me his microscope, I still have it. And I spent my summer getting water out of the drainage ditches and creek that ran through our property. Lots of algae, an occasional "creature" but still a great learning experience. Your films and the accompanying descriptions are among the things that show the best use of the internet. To share knowledge and understanding to any who wants to learn. Charles

[@ビニールさおり]

私たちはとても美しい世界に住んでいるんだなと気付かせてくれる動画です😺🌎 神秘はすぐそこにあるのですね🌠🌅 音楽もすごく好きです！

[@bronson8168]

This was an amazing mix of art and science, thank you for this, please continue your studies!

[@kaitrhoads1]

Love the music, it went with the video so beautifully.

[@ashleysmith3430]

I loved this so much! Thank you!

[@nickcosimano5028]

This video is MATHEMATICAL!!!

[@mnc1126]

Thanks for sharing your insights and your journey . I love this presentation!

[@Catastropheshe]

Lol the cat was kinda unexpected 😂 And what a pose ❤️😂

[@yildizozlemates4247]

Beautiful!

[@mimiteas]

Love everything about this video! ♥️♥️♥️ So much play with words and imagery, one with an iris being one of my favorites.... I really appreciate you, sharing this universe and yourself with us... 😊

[@lemonberries]

Perfect music selection😌 You have good taste👌

[@atomicjay42]

Very touching story. I'm glad you've found yourself and are able to share what you love with the world.

[@Spacecazeka]

This is one of my favorite videos :D Sorry you had a bad experience in poland, maybe she was just some fucking szalona kurwa , i do see them around here. If you come visit Krakow LMK, ill show you my scope/camera setup, and homemade DMT, and my kitty kat, uhhh... my favorite burger place etc.

[@DustVixen]

I understand that you probably don't read comments any more, there are far too many and you are a busy guy but I just want to put this out there. I come from a very similar background, childhood memories are not a fun time to think about or talk about either. I got into some I'll advised situations when I managed to get away from home, but like yourself I escaped into knowledge, learning everything and anything that caught my attention. (people who know me, call me the human Google, although I honestly don't think I know that much really) I also have found a kind of peace in the microscopic, it is endlessly fascinating and every drop of water is a whole new world, there is the familiar but amongst the rotifers and vorticella are strange wonders just waiting to be found in some obscure text from the 1800s I just want to say thank you for being so brave.

[@alexandrevaliquette3883]

I think he might read it, but don't answer most of them. But other, like me, read them as well. Thank you for your kind word, I wish you the best. Love from Montréal

[@GinoGiotto]

Hey James, what a story! I have a question: what do you mean by "I learned to speak feelings"? I was also considering into going to therapy, but first I wanted to understand what is about and if it's worth it.

[@grapevine3706]

Exactly same thoughts i had when i sat with a microscope in school days 😊 its amazing and how Shiv Baba decides the life, the prana of billions of beings ! What are you, you filled with ego ? Nothing in this vast universe.

[@Welch_Marketing]

Like history, perspectives repeat themselves

[@cuttwice3905]

Big D depression. Meds and therapy worked. So did finding a passion. We all have to find a path somehow.

[@Anonim-bl1et]

What is this microscope name? I want to buy it. And how you get such good colors??

[@alexandrevaliquette3883]

What is your budget? Just one objective for this scope cost +2000$ us are you still in the game? If not, may I suggest you a SWIFT380 for around 300$ This is what I have and it's amazing.

[@jeremiemathon9065]

Try to light sample from above. For my part, I use a flashlight or an LED ring

[@foxjacket]

You should submit this to a film festival. It might need a few tweaks and edits (I'm not an expert tho) but you should consider doing that

[@Alisathealu]

What kind of microscope do you use to see microbes?

[@susanf.hearthstone9297]

@@gb7168 yes, he also prepares the footage for “Journey to the Microcosmos” but he crowdfunded some of the cost for his microscope and paid the rest!

[@robertpitt8418]

An elderly lady once told me a wise tale, that by planting a bowl of noodles on top of your head for at least 3 minutes a day will greatly decrease any anxiety attacks you may have.

[@Stealthsilent1337]

Wow, so that's what it takes to be master of microscopes ;). Thank you for sharing, I also have a similar story. I'll tell you later once we are better friends.

[@arachnidae420]

HOW BOUT DAT!

[@aerialcombat]

Those water bears, they fornicate

[@Lesh_Georgiy]

Which microscope do you have now?

[@mostafar8514]

Thats what singularity, the first pillar of islam is: that god is the apparent and the hidden, allah is Being itself, everything else is part of that one being

[@theruralworldofokenxinfam4957]

Hello there!, it's a MAGNIFICENT VIDEO!😍😍😍, always keep flowing and growing. A loads of ❤️ love, 🙏 regards and support from Sikkim India. visit us if possible...please

[@L0LITAPEDE]

SPORE IN REAL LIFE

[@Catastropheshe]

Lol the cat was kinda unexpected 😂 And what a pose ❤️😂