This seems like a bad idea to me. Now, I'm no biologist, but the simple fact is that extinction happens for a reason. People are quick to point out that there are many species that have been threatened due to humans - destruction of habitats and whatnot. This strikes some people as unnatural; as if the effect of humankind on our planet somehow is outside the realm of what is "supposed" to happen. Since when have humans not been part of the natural order? We are all creatures of this earth, and we affect it differently; but it is one giant self-balancing system. It may not appear this way from our perspective, what with our puny little lifespans and all, but it is.
The idea that it is our responsibility to "save" some species or "save" the environment for the good of the planet just seems a bit silly to me. George Carlin does a great bit on this whole issue... it's rather pompous of us, don't you think? The Earth is probably going to be around a lot longer than we are, and even if humans manage to wipe out scads of species of various organisms and irrecoverably ravage our environment, it will be the end of us, not the planet. We should work on cleaning up our environment and protecting other forms of life in order to save *ourselves* - to help maintain some semblance of quality of life for us - not for some conceited notion of saving the planet.
Personally, I think it's time to make some room. Next up, the cockroaches;-)
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This seems like a bad idea to me. Now, I'm no biologist, but the simple fact is that extinction happens for a reason. People are quick to point out that there are many species that have been threatened due to humans - destruction of habitats and whatnot. This strikes some people as unnatural; as if the effect of humankind on our planet somehow is outside the realm of what is "supposed" to happen. Since when have humans not been part of the natural order? We are all creatures of this earth, and we affect it differently; but it is one giant self-balancing system. It may not appear this way from our perspective, what with our puny little lifespans and all, but it is. The idea that it is our responsibility to "save" some species or "save" the environment for the good of the planet just seems a bit silly to me. George Carlin does a great bit on this whole issue... it's rather pompous of us, don't you think? The Earth is probably going to be around a lot longer than we are, and even if humans manage to wipe out scads of species of various organisms and irrecoverably ravage our environment, it will be the end of us, not the planet. We should work on cleaning up our environment and protecting other forms of life in order to save *ourselves* - to help maintain some semblance of quality of life for us - not for some conceited notion of saving the planet. Personally, I think it's time to make some room. Next up, the cockroaches ;-)