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Megafauna Extinction Due to Climate
jvchamary writes "Most biologists believe that Earth is currently undergoing its sixth mass extinction. The cause? Human activity, either directly (e.g. the Dodo) or indirectly (e.g. the Amazon rainforests). The disappearance 30,000-45,000 years ago of the Australian megafauna, large animals such as the marsupial lion, is often attributed to hunting by Aboriginal settlers. However, recent research in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that it was more likely a shift in climate, rather than hunting, that caused the over-sized organisms to die-out (via Nature and the BBC)."
We Win!
That's too bad...I've always liked the idea of my ancestors storming across the land, exterminating entire species of giant animals with spears and rocks.
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~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey
Interesting bit about the mega mammals. There's a diarama at the Chippewa Nature Center, Midland, Michigan, depicting a giant beaver. Stood about 6 feet tall, probably a few hundred pounds. (what kind of trees did this thing gnaw anyway, it'd need lots of them) Always wondered how they would have died off, I can't imagine too many bow-and-arrow or spear wielding humans able to take on something like that.
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
I envy early man and his wider variety of animals to eat
When you kill stuff, it stays dead. When you kill all stuff, it's all dead! Weather coming up, after the break.
And tomorrow the stock exchange will be the human race
They died out because they were over-sized! If they were right-sized, they would still be alive! Everyone knows that obesity is the leading cause of anguish and suffering.
Or wait, I'm sorry, they were right. I forgot that climate shifts due to human activity are the cause of all evil.
When will these "scientists" (who are obviously biased liberals) realize that it's not megaflaura extinction, it's that the megaflaura are experiencing their rapture?
Well, there are three possible ways to look at this:
1. We're the product of evolution. We're the greatest and most interesting species evolution ever produced. We owe nothing to anyone but ourselves for our success and if we want to wipe out a few other forms of life so be it. We rock! And of course in the grand scheme of things if we did wind up wiping ourselves out, nobody will be around to care.
2. We're the product of intelligent design. If the Christians are right, the whole world is here for us to fill, subdue and use for our benefit. If we need to knock out a few species, its no different than me knocking out a wall in my house to make room for a pool table. We're the pinnacle of creation, We ROCK! And after ragnarok, there will be a whole new creation anyway.
3. We're either created or evolved, but we're adaptable enough that if the need arises we'll find a way to create new species to replace the ones we eliminated. Heck maybe we'll make whole new worlds. In this case, I guess the Mormons would be right. In any case, we're the smartest and most adaptable. We ROCK! In any case, we can always clean up the mess later.
Who am I to suggest I have the right to wipe out whole species? I AM MAN!
Trying to use sarcasm in text-based forums does not work.
I'm not quite sure why. I'll have to check democratic underground to find out.
"Oh Beautiful for smoggy skies, insecticided grain,
For strip-mined mountain's majesty above the asphalt plain.
America, America, man sheds his waste on thee,
And hides the pines with billboard signs, from sea to oily sea."
-George Carlin
I wasn't a fanboy when Sega was around, and by god, I'm not one now.
Sure, the Earth will abide.
Not only that, but consider this: we humans produce certain bacteria, because the waste of that bacteria is helpful to us. Who's to say that Nature didn't produce man because of the waste he produces? Maybe Nature's next Act will be seeded by nuclear waste or old AOL CD's.
Your lion wants more tofu.
Everyone knows SUV's got way worse mileage 30 to 50,000 years ago. What did they expect?
"I'll have my lunch now. A single pillow of shreaded wheat, some steamed toast, and a dodo egg"
There is another kind of evil which we must fear most, and that is the indifference of good men. -- Boondock Saints
Humans are very good at just sneaking up on things and making friends with them, and then later exploiting them shamelessly.
Month 1:Human walks up to group of horses and tosses them apples something that they have difficulty getting normally.
Month 2:Horses are used to humans and actually approach them for apples.
Month 3:???
Month 4:Profit!
Well, at least I still have my books. And the best thing is, there's time now... all the time I need.
<<Picks up a book, but glasses fall off and break.>>
That's not fair! That's not fair at all! (source)
It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do.
- Jerome Klapka Jerome
"What would happen if the Earth was hit by a giant asteroid? Well, judging from realistic simulations invilving a sledgehammer and a common laboratory frog, the result will be pretty bad."
Well, at least I still have my books. And the best thing is, there's time now... all the time I need.
[Picks up a book, but glasses fall off and break.]
That's not fair! That's not fair at all! (source)
[skips a few lines]
Why should I believe you? You're Hitler!
You can't take the sky from me...