Undrowned Study Padlet by Angelica Janelle Aguada

How Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins Communicate

ajaguada — 2025-03-14 20:19:51 UTC

They use echolocation to communicate what they want and what they need, specifically in the hunt for food and for each other. I found this particular video compelling since it puts into perspective what is heard in a vast ocean, where other creatures are going about their lives. Dolphins share a mutual understanding, and we humans can learn from them on what it means to truly be heard and understood. Gumbs reflects that through listening intently, hearing one out, and adjusting our tones, it bridges the gap between people.

Learning from Mom: Swimming with Baby Weddell Seals

ajaguada — 2025-03-14 20:30:38 UTC

This study showcases how mothers of baby Weddell seals will push their babies to learn how to swim. It may seem malicious, but the mothers have good intentions for their babies to thrive and eventually do this on their own to find food. Gumbs connects this to her appreciation of the figures in her life that pushed her beyond her limits. Tough love encourages exploration. This support produces the courage, hope, and belief that you can overcome obstacles that come your way, building perseverance and trust in your capabilities.

Birth Behind Bars: Story of Debbie Africa

ajaguada — 2025-03-14 20:42:21 UTC

This article provides details and insight into how Debbie Africa was able to conceal her birth in prison for three days. It also goes into the life of Mike Africa Jr., who has spent 40 years of his life with both of his parents behind bars. Debbie knew that they would take her son away if guards found out, and she wanted to nurture him for as long as possible. This story showcases the strength of maternal love. It also shows how unconditional love was maintained on both ends while Debbie was serving out the rest of her sentence. Gumbs tells the story of a mother bottlenose dolphin that gave birth in captivity. She goes on to explain that although days spent together are limited, mothers still have it in them to care and love regardless of freedom.

Dorsal Fins and Stability

ajaguada — 2025-03-14 21:06:15 UTC

This article describes the anatomy of dolphins, where I specifically paid attention to their dorsal fins. Dolphins have evolved to have dorsal fins to maintain stability and utilize them for navigation under the water. Gumbs wonders what ways we can incorporate practices that stabilize us. In doing so, I believe that it can work towards easing our minds and bodies in a society where there are plenty of tense and stressful moments. We can find ways to love ourselves more deeply by taking care of ourselves.

School of Striped Dolphins Swimming

ajaguada — 2025-03-14 21:17:33 UTC

Striped dolphins congregate within "schools." Gumbs defines this school as a scale of care. I thought this video was particularly interesting because Gumbs explains how only up to one-third of the school is visible at the surface, while the rest are in deep waters. Gumbs poses the question of what it would be like to go "deep" with each other. How would it be to be intimate and open with each other in a way that fosters care? This made me wonder about the effort it would take to show up for others with people I personally know and my broader community.

The Scars of a Pacific White-Sided Dolphin

ajaguada — 2025-03-14 21:24:44 UTC

This article showcases a Pacific white-sided dolphin's scars. These scars can be a result of a multitude of factors, one being from each other. They travel in schools, prompting Gumbs to wonder why we tend to stay with those who share similar scars or are the cause of our scars. I believe there's empathy in sharing stories, but it's so easy to also weaponize it against each other. Finding that balance of understanding and not trying to project blame can allow for reparations.

Indus-River Dolphin: "Here"

ajaguada — 2025-03-14 22:13:54 UTC

Indus river dolphins have experienced many hardships; this article lists the range of them and ways they've been recovering. Through it all, they've been clicking all day and night. They've been able to replenish their endangered population, which is slowly growing each year. Gumbs poses the question of how we can offer the same sentiment of showing up and being there for each other, prioritizing each other's needs. In doing so, we can cultivate a community that can depend on each other, empowering individuals in the process.

Black-Chinned Dolphin Thrashing

ajaguada — 2025-03-14 22:24:39 UTC

This video showcases the movement of the Black-chinned dolphin. They "thrash" in order to communicate and coordinate their movements. Sometimes, they synchronize to create a whirlpool where all can eat. Gumbs reassures that it's okay to create a "whirlpool" against those who suppress them. She respects those who are currently in a tough position because of those in power.

The Rooted Relationship Between the Maori and Rāpoka

ajaguada — 2025-03-14 22:32:59 UTC

The relationship between the Maori and Rāpoka is embedded in their spiritual and cultural history, which is told in this article. Historically, they've been used for food and tools. Now that they've become endangered, the Maori are putting efforts toward protecting this mammal. This effort shows how much the Maori cherish and respect them.

Keeping One Eye Open: Dolphins Sleeping

ajaguada — 2025-03-15 00:13:49 UTC

Gumbs examines the Amazon river dolphins' sleeping patterns, specifically when held in captivity. Regardless, dolphins sleep with one eye open, which this article explores. They keep half of their brain aware while the other half can rest. Those who cannot afford to rest are constantly being threatened in their sleep. Gumbs wonders how we can take after the dolphin, where we're able to rest safely without worrying- she wants this for all of us.

Narwhals Aren't a Myth: They Exist!

ajaguada — 2025-03-15 00:21:01 UTC

This video features narwhals, which I believed didn't exist prior to reading about them in Gumbs' book. She explains how they were exploited for profit. Marginalized communities have fallen victim to capitalism, which uplifted elites to benefit from this structure. There's this place of empathy that comes from Gumbs due to the parallels of their situation. Furthermore, they were treated and viewed as "less than" human, so the work of undoing these beliefs will bring about self-love.

Capitalism and Striped Dolphins

ajaguada — 2025-03-15 00:27:45 UTC

This article discusses how oil companies in Greece are attempting to drill in marine-mammal protected areas. Due to this, a variety of sea creatures are being threatened, one of them being striped dolphins. Gumbs mentions how these dolphins have been battling a virus that has been in the Mediterranean Sea. They're beaten down and weak, and having this happen to them isn't going to do any good. There's a place of empathy for them because of the greed of capitalism, which Gumbs resonates with.

Atlantic Gray Whale Resurgence!

ajaguada — 2025-03-15 00:39:12 UTC

This article details the resurgence of the Atlantic Gray Whale. Gumbs explains that they went missing at the end of the transatlantic slave trade, and their reappearance off the coast of Namibia was a shock. There's this tie that Gumbs's kin will greet the Atlantic Ocean, including it within rituals and cleansing for past descendants for those who did or didn't survive the transatlantic slave trade. The return of these whales begs the question of why they disappeared in the first place, with Gumbs wondering if she too can return to the Atlantic, where it was once a place of harm for her ancestors. She loves and respects the whale for making a comeback after all this time.

The Evolution of the Sperm Whale

ajaguada — 2025-03-15 00:58:04 UTC

This article details the evolution of the sperm whale, but I specifically paid attention to its connection to the Livyatan Melvillei. Gumbs mentions how the Livyatan had sharp teeth, but now the sperm whales mostly use it for echolocation. This shift showcases the duality of love: while love can be defensive, it also has the power to create connections. In connecting to the sperm whale's teeth, love evolved from security into a means of communication. Gumbs is gaining clarity by accepting the flaws and mistakes of some of her ancestors, and in doing so, it heals a part of her and allows her to grow.

Sperm Whales "Head of Wax"

ajaguada — 2025-03-15 01:02:37 UTC

This video dives into the "head full of wax" sperm whales have. They either melt this wax to float or solidify it to go deeper. I perceived this as a way for humans to regulate their thoughts and emotions. Specifically, their ability to choose whether or not they want to be introspective or take the time to consider others. Being able to open up and be attuned to yourself can bring about self-love and care.

Caribbean Monk Seals Extinct from Aimlessly Slaughtering

ajaguada — 2025-03-15 01:19:36 UTC

This article explains the history of what led to the extinction of monk seals. They were slaughtered by colonizers, even though they never posed a threat to humans. Gumbs represents these seals as pure and innocent, not knowing that they would be wiped clean from existence. She also connects this to her father who showed resilience throughout the ways systems have failed him and instances in which he was taken advantage of. Gumbs expresses love for those who continue to show strength in a world that's built to harm them.

Harbor Seals and their Heart Capacity

ajaguada — 2025-03-15 01:33:30 UTC

This article shares facts about the diving habits of a harbor seal. They exhale to slow down their heart rate in order to dive. Gumbs questions how we can figuratively incorporate the method of slowing down into our own lives. She wonders what that would look like to entrust and nourish yourself in a society where there's plenty of pressure. There's respect from Gumbs toward harbor seals since they know what they need to do reach their goals and needs.

Southern Sea Elephants and Resting

ajaguada — 2025-03-15 01:48:36 UTC

This article mentions how southern sea elephants will rest on beaches for an entire month in order to molt their fur. Gumbs envisions what it would look like if as a society, we took the time to wind down. I believe that it would be restorative and healing for everyone. Rest can lead to transformation, and Gumbs sees this through the southern sea elephants.

South American Fur Seals Returning to their Offspring

ajaguada — 2025-03-15 02:10:01 UTC

This article explains how mothers of South American fur seals will go out to feed. However, when she returns, there isn't a guarantee that their offspring will be alive because of threats to their species. There's vulnerability involved with the love mother seals feel for their offspring. Gumbs questions if she can afford to risk offering up her love in a world that isn't necessarily kind to everyone. The uncertainties of putting your heart out there and not knowing what the outcomes will be are daunting.