What is Tidal Thinking?

Skim this post here, scroll down to read the full post, or try both!

---

SKim it:

Call to Action: What does the phrase “tidal thinking” mean to you?

• Write, voice record, draw, or photograph your first impression.
• The ocean is the central inspiration—symbolizing wonder, curiosity, unpredictability, and hidden knowledge.
  

What Tidal Thinking Represents: Tidal Thinking is a curiosity-driven community for exploring the natural world, regardless of age or background.

• “Tidal” represents curiosity that ebbs and flows, constantly changing like ocean tides and shaping how we see the world.
• Curiosity is an organic scientific method that encourages questions about everyday experiences.
• “Thinking” emphasizes guiding curiosity rather than teaching.

Core Promises:

• I will act as a guide, not a teacher
• No dumb questions
• Content offered in multiple formats (audio, visuals, skim notes)
• Inclusive, respectful, safe space for engagement

Main Message: Tidal Thinking is an open invitation to explore curiosity, share perspectives, and engage with science in an accessible way.

---

Read IT:

Before reading further, I invite you to pause and reflect on what the phrase “tidal thinking” means to you: Write down or voice record a couple of sentences, jot down the first three words that come to mind, draw a picture, or include a photograph. I encourage you to think about what it represents for you before I share my thoughts.
 
It is likely clear that the ocean is a leading character in this narrative from the first image you see on Tidal Thinking. I have always felt interested and inspired by the ocean. As a child, I felt the power and unpredictability of its waves, saw the beauty beneath its shimmering surface, and wondered about the mysteries hidden in its depths.
 
Wonder, joy, and curiosity are the driving forces behind Tidal Thinking. I wanted to create a platform and community space to simply be curious about the natural world, regardless of age or background. The ocean has always been my motivation, and as I began to develop as a science communicator, I realized how powerful a container and topic it is for offering perspective on our questions as curious beings.
 
The inspiration for the concept of tidal thinking is the amalgamation of my education as an oceanographer, my experience as a science communicator, and my passion for curiosity. When naming it, I wanted it to convey the same inspiration.
 
Tidal
 
An ocean tide is the regular rise and fall of sea level, primarily caused by the moon’s gravitational pull on Earth. Tides are constant, yet exhibit massive variance. 

I connected with the visual of this organic force beyond our control, always changing and always present. We can acknowledge it or not; either way, it will continue to interact with us and affect our Earth. It is a piece of the natural world that offers an ever-present invitation to acknowledge and interact with it. The attention we pay to interactions with nature is what can pique our curiosity.
 
But, just like the tide, our curiosity can ebb and flow, change direction, and shape our view of our surroundings. This organic scientific method allows curiosity to guide us and invites us to ask questions about our day-to-day experiences as humans on Earth.

Thinking
 
Thinking is an important word. It refers to the topic you focus on; it speaks to a multitude of natural neurological variations that reflect the experience of thought, and it invites wonder rather than requiring learning. Bearing that in mind, what follows is what “thinking” promises you:
 

1. I will act as a guide for your curiosity and questions, not a teacher.
2. There is no such thing as a dumb question. Really.
3. All content will be presented in multiple ways (e.g., audio recordings, visuals, and skim notes).
4. Feedback and engagement are encouraged, but aggressive behavior or bias against any community member will not be tolerated.

 
It is important that Tidal Thinking is an invitation to all and considers any brain at any stage of life. Above all, it is a safe place for questions.
 
So, what does “tidal thinking" mean to you? I have been surprised and excited by many of the responses I have already received. Go to “What does tidal thinking mean to you?” to explore other perspectives. If you would like to share your thoughts with our community, please feel free to write or record them and send them to me at [email protected]. Please specify whether you would like to keep them private or are comfortable sharing them on Notes From the Shore.
 
Thank you for your engagement and your curiosity!
 
🌊 Tidal Thinking
Mikaela Ivey-Moore