A million tiny pixels flash across our phone screens every day, and each pixel is broken down into subpixels that emit different intensities of light, combining to form the final image we recognize as social media. All of what we see, and all of what we hear, is never truly real; it is merely a manipulation of color and light. Yet even with all their precision, these pixels pale in comparison to the tiny cells that exist in nature with their exquisite details and artistry. The difference between looking at the tiny pixels of a screen, versus the tiny cells of a plant, is that while the screen connects one to the world through artificial images, the tiny cells make one feel more connected to the cycle of life and the breathtaking feeling of witnessing an organism living its own existence. It is why so many young people around the world have come up with the popular phrase, “go touch grass.” It is often said to someone who is too caught up in digital culture or is considered “chronically online.” The expression itself is meant to poke fun at…
