Between Light and Shadow│Part Two – Not all colour is mere distraction

A three-part exploration of the quiet wisdom clams offer us.

Lesson Two: To transform what we take in, rather than be consumed by it.

This benign act of the clam opening and closing its shell is more than what meets the eye. It isn’t just to stay hidden and protected from being preyed upon, but is also an act of producing nutrients and sustaining life.

Light, so vital for life, can also be overwhelming; much like our unchecked consumption of social media. The clam bends and scatters light waves, turning what could be harmful into a source of nourishment, perhaps wisely alluding to the moderation of social media to foster connection. The second image captures a different kind of adaptation - one where the clam’s mantle seems to glow, shifting in appearance depending on the angle of light. But this color is not just for show.

*A colourful clam with sparkling eyes peeking out from its coral refuge (in Amba Canyon, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives).*

Giant clams rely on a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae (zooxanthellae) that live within their tissues. These algae provide the clam with nutrients, but they require just the right amount of light to thrive- too little, and photosynthesis slows; too much, and the algae can suffer from light-induced stress and start to bleach.

The clam’s iridescent cells, known as iridocytes, help regulate this balance. They scatter sunlight, spreading it deeper into the tissue so that the algae receive a more even distribution of light. This prevents localized overexposure while maximizing energy absorption. To an observer, this manipulation of light gives the clam its brilliant, shifting hues - blues, greens, even reds, depending on the species. But beneath the surface, this is not about beauty. It is about survival.

In this age of overconsumption of media and information, how often do we think about the ways we regulate what we take in? The way we process knowledge, experience and emotion to prevent being overwhelmed? The clam does not passively receive the sun’s rays - it refines them, transmutes them into something of use.

Perhaps we too, must learn to filter what we absorb, to ensure what we are taking in is just enough; never too much, never too little, always considered.

beneath the waves

Between Light and Shadow│Part Two – Not all colour is mere distraction

Lesson Two: To transform what we take in, rather than be consumed by it.

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