Photographer Carlijn Jacobs [IG] walks into the natural world of ancestral traditions and conscious consumption for More or Less Magazine’s [IG] Issue 8. Models Sascha Rajasulu and Yasmin Wijnaldum are styled by Imruh Asha.

Sam Visser is on makeup, representing Dior Beauty; hair and wigs by Olivier Schwalder

In the Beginning . . .

For millions of years, plant life on Earth existed without the beauty and diversity of flowers, relying instead on more primitive means of reproduction such as spores.

The first definitive evidence of flowers traces back to the Cretaceous period, around 130 million years ago, during a time when the Earth's climate and landscapes were undergoing significant change.

Prior to this floral revolution, vegetation was dominated by gymnosperms, ferns, and mosses, which reproduced via less efficient means. The advent of flowers introduced a new mechanism for pollination, often involving intricate interactions with the animal kingdom, particularly insects.

Flowering Plants As Pollinating Central in Evolution

This co-evolution led to a surge in plant diversity and complexity, as flowering plants developed specialized features to attract pollinators, facilitate seed dispersal, and adapt to varied environments. Flowers facilitated the development of a wide array of specialized forms and functions, leading to an astonishing diversity of angiosperms that came to dominate terrestrial plant life.

Flowering plants became foundational components of many habitats. They provided food and shelter for numerous animal species, driving co-evolutionary processes that further enriched biodiversity.

Understanding the origin of flowers not only enriches our knowledge of botanical history but also illuminates the dynamic processes that fuel biodiversity and ecological balance in our present-day world.

We fast forward to Ethiopia’s Omo Valley people, one of the building blocks of Anne of Carversville since 2010. Anne learned about this region and its peoples as part of our never-ending research about human migration out of Africa and the Lake Turkana / Rift Valley region itself as foundational in the cradle of human civilization.

The Omo Valley's Surma + Mursi Tribes, Vintage 2008, In Hans Silvester's Own Words AOC Pre-2020 Fashion

Natural Adornments in Tribes of the Omo Valley

Historical evidence suggests that the use of natural adornments in the Omo Valley is an ancient tradition. Many of these tribes, such as the Surma, Mursi, and Hamar, have historically lived in relative isolation, preserving age-old customs and artistic expressions that are intricately tied to their natural environment.

The floral adornments are believed to be symbolic, often representing beauty, status, and identity, as well as serving ritualistic purposes in ceremonies and rites of passage.

The interpretation of body decoration practices relies heavily on ethnographic observations and insights gathered from interactions with the tribes themselves. Such engagement reveals that the choice of plants and flowers varies according to availability, the season, and cultural significance, suggesting a deep-rooted tradition intertwined with the ecological surroundings of the Omo Valley.

In ritualistic contexts, these decorations of flora are used alongside body painting, creating a unique synergy that elevates the spiritual significance of the ceremonies. Through these floral embellishments, the Omo Valley people communicate narratives of their ancestors, beliefs, and traditions, reflecting a rich history that underscores the importance of nature in their cultural identity.

Overview Of Human-Plant Interaction Studies Using Brain Science

Fast forward to now and human-invented technologies that explore these human-plant interactions. Modern-day researchers strive to understand the psychological and neurological impacts of plants on humans — including our brains.

One of the reasons that AOC is so fascinated by brain science is that the ‘evidence’ is not based on human-reported data. We’ve previously written about these new technologies in the world human response to color.

Today, human-plant interaction studies have gained interest as researchers strive to understand the psychological and neurological impacts of plants on individuals.

Though traditionally emphasized in the fields of environmental psychology and horticultural therapy, recent advancements in technology, such as brain imaging techniques, have opened new avenues for exploring these human-botanical interactions. The human brain's response to various sensory stimuli provided by plants, such as sight, scent, and touch, has been a focal point of these studies.

The Health Benefits of Plants and Flowers

Researchers have posited that exposure to natural environments, including flowers, can reduce stress, enhance mood, and improve cognitive function. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Electroencephalography (EEG) have been utilized to observe brain activity in response to visual and olfactory stimuli from plants, revealing activation patterns associated with relaxation and pleasure. Some studies have demonstrated that even brief exposure to plant imagery can result in measurable neural changes, suggesting an intrinsic affinity between humans and nature.

In particular, flowers, with their vibrant colors and diverse scents, have been shown to elicit positive emotional responses and can significantly influence mood and psychological well-being. While this field is still emerging, it underscores a growing recognition of the potential therapeutic benefits of integrating nature and botanical elements into everyday human life, particularly in urban and clinical settings.

Research has shown that the presence of flowers can evoke feelings of happiness, calmness, and satisfaction. This reaction is rooted in several factors, including the vibrant colors and pleasing scents that flowers offer, which can stimulate the senses and promote a sense of well-being.

Flowers have been found to play a therapeutic role in reducing stress and anxiety. You probably know that their presence in hospitals has been associated with quicker recovery times and increased positive emotions in patients. This suggests that beyond their visual and olfactory appeal, flowers might influence the brain's stress response systems, potentially lowering cortisol levels, which are associated with stress. Additionally, flowers may encourage social interactions and empathy, further enhancing psychological well-being.

Recent brain scan research exploring human responses to flowers has revealed fascinating insights into how these natural stimuli affect our neural processes and emotional states. Utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), scientists have been able to observe the brain's activity in real-time when individuals are exposed to flowers. One key finding is the activation of the brain's reward centers, including the ventral striatum and orbitofrontal cortex.

Exposure to flowers has been linked with decreased activity in the amygdala, a region associated with the aforementioned stress and anxiety responses in hospitals but also in people not considered to be ill. This indicates that flowers may play a role in promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels, supporting anecdotal evidence and traditional practices of using flowers for their calming effects. The research also noted increased connectivity in the brain's default mode network, which is linked with creativity and reflective thought.

This suggests that flowers might not only uplift mood but also enhance creative thinking and introspection.

The Intersections of Plants and Politics

Anne of Carversville is devoted to being provocative at the intersection of scientific discovery and human response. I’ll give you an idea of where we’re going with my three AI research assistants on this Election Day eve, November 5, 2024.

AOC is well informed on the intersection of all the new brain scan research and American politics. For over 17 years, we’ve examined the intersections of human sexuality, religion and guilt in patriarchal countries worldwide — including America.

The reality is that misogyny and racism have expressed themselves by MAGA against VP Kamala Harris in ways we haven’t seen in decades. Yes, it was very bad for Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi — but I don’t recall either of those women being called dumb as a rock. Or a DEI hire.

I know that brain imaging has become so sophisticated that researchers can identify with stunning accuracy the political views of the subject. The disgust factor drives the politics of MAGA and is very obvious in their brain scans. Progressives or liberals struggle to not color outside the lines.

When Republican VP candidate JD Vance said that Rs were taking out the trash today — naming current VP Kamala Harris — the now very right-wing Catholic Vance was playing to the disgust factor among Trump supporters.

My AI research turned to a much simpler exploration while writing this post: