Author Topic: Endangered Species and Such... (Read 286 times)

Vudak · « **on:** September 14, 2006, 06:02:29 PM »

I was thinking today... Is it really ethical for us to say "we need to stop global warming, or deforestation, or whatever, because all these species are going extinct?"

Why are we supposed to save all the other species? Who are we to say that these species HAVE to remain on the planet now, when countless others have passed on long before we got here?

Global warming, for example, is a catastrophe for certain species, sure. But it's also an opportunity for many others. In much the same way, so is extinction. A catastrophe for the extinct, an opportunity for everything else.

We're just animals, right? Are we so presumptious to believe that we are the only animal to ever completely alter an ecosystem? Or that it is somehow our duty to ensure that the status quo of life forms on this planet at this exact time exists forever? That's not the way things have ever worked. Why is it so incredibly important that we live in a time capsule now?

I mean, don't get me wrong - I don't advocate the ruthless slaughter of endangered species just because they'd make a nice hat... I'm just saying we have to accept that species will go extinct in large part due to changes in their environment that they cannot adapt to. Other species will adapt through evolution and natural selection and such and make it and go on to become new species.

It's how it's always worked, for millions of years before us.

Of course, I like the animals we have here now

I'm not in any hurry to see them depart... But this was something to mull over today and I think it's an interesting thought.

moot · « **Reply #1 on:** September 14, 2006, 10:46:17 PM »

It might be my brains, but I can't think of any definite, absolute criteria for what should survive, and what shouldn't.. Applying human arbitrary to nature is probably what most contradicts common sense, so that not disturbing nature seems the most natural thing to do.

I don't think one set of atoms is more or less "important" than the next. The only real reason to do anything (e.g. razing the amazon) is purpose, and that's what I think is most debatable, with regards to what should or shouldn't survive mankind.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2006, 11:10:45 PM »

Again. Carlin puts it best

Language warning

The Planet is Fine

The Planet is Fine Part 2

Vudak · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2006, 11:56:01 PM »

Good stuff, Drediock, thanks

xrtoronto · « **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2006, 12:05:40 AM »

all this talk of animals ... I feel like lamb chops all of a sudden

B@tfinkV · « **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2006, 12:28:05 AM »

interesting point vudak, i think moot sums me up pretty well on this one.

i would add, humans have effectively stopped 'natural' selection within the human race. all the other populants of our planet still evolve naturally, and therefore we should do nothing out of our way to tamper with extinction or survival of other spieces.

the real problem i can see is that having stopped natural selection in humans(ie: med care, hospitals, fake limbs, wellfare money etc etc.), we not only devolve our own gene pool, but hold a massively unfair survival advantage over all other animals. not only that, but we also contribute to the destruction of the others spieces environment one hundred times more than any other lifeform or natural disaster.

if the world should overheat to such an extent, my prediction for the second last to go will be us humans, with the final land based survivor being cockroahes.

Angus · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2006, 06:05:47 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by xrtoronto
all this talk of animals ... I feel like lamb chops all of a sudden

Plenty of sheep around still

However a large scale destruction of various species can screw up the balance and give some troubles.
Even a large scale minimizing of various species (fish for instance or trees) can have long term effects which do effect human economy very quickly.

So, there is something to look into.

Vudak · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2006, 06:40:42 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Angus
Plenty of sheep around still

However a large scale destruction of various species can screw up the balance and give some troubles.
Even a large scale minimizing of various species (fish for instance or trees) can have long term effects which do effect human economy very quickly.

So, there is something to look into.

Oh, obviously, Angus... One of the animals that might end up going extinct due in part to our meddlings is us

Angus · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2006, 07:29:23 AM »

Not if I am boss

midnight Target · « **Reply #9 on:** September 15, 2006, 09:42:22 AM »

This BBS should have a "Bong Forum" for threads like this.

Vudak · « **Reply #10 on:** September 15, 2006, 10:54:12 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by midnight Target
This BBS should have a "Bong Forum" for threads like this.

I can't be suprised that this thread got so little attention, and that the most thought came from the Europeans on this one (well, and Carlin).

After all, to participate in it, one would have to have some knowledge about Evolution and some acceptance of it... Two things many on this BBS clearly don't.