Humans are enamored of humans. We think we are the greatest thing that ever happened to the planet. But we are actually not that, and in many ways agent Smith in the Matrix was right to call us a cancer. I don’t know why we think we’re so smart because we obviously aren’t. Smart people wouldn’t get into this incredible situation that we’re in where we’re destroying our planet. We’re certainly not beautiful. Many animals are much more gorgeous than we are. I don’t think we have anything to be particularly boastful about. Why can’t we just fit in? Why do we have to see ourselves as some kind of triumph of evolution? We need to adapt to the planet we’re on, which means we have to adapt to limited resources. Why is that so hard? Because we are inherently a flawed species. We rose to power over other homonims (Neanderthal, Denisovans, etc—about 10-15 of these) simply because of our numbers and our aggression. We have nothing to be proud of. And I’m speaking of us as a species (homo sapiens), not of particular “races” (differences derived from geographical adaptations).
Thanks for reminding environmentalists and sustainability activists that human exceptionalism is a myth. It is likely that the negative feedback we're creating will reverse our growth this century. Meanwhile, those avoiding engaging with overpopulation are abetting greater suffering as the reversal occurs. All should have a look at Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome. Reg Morrison explains it around 80% into this short course: [ http://www.zo.utexas.edu/courses/THOC/gambler.pdf ] in the section "Evolution's Automatic Plague Limiter"
Humans are enamored of humans. We think we are the greatest thing that ever happened to the planet. But we are actually not that, and in many ways agent Smith in the Matrix was right to call us a cancer. I don’t know why we think we’re so smart because we obviously aren’t. Smart people wouldn’t get into this incredible situation that we’re in where we’re destroying our planet. We’re certainly not beautiful. Many animals are much more gorgeous than we are. I don’t think we have anything to be particularly boastful about. Why can’t we just fit in? Why do we have to see ourselves as some kind of triumph of evolution? We need to adapt to the planet we’re on, which means we have to adapt to limited resources. Why is that so hard? Because we are inherently a flawed species. We rose to power over other homonims (Neanderthal, Denisovans, etc—about 10-15 of these) simply because of our numbers and our aggression. We have nothing to be proud of. And I’m speaking of us as a species (homo sapiens), not of particular “races” (differences derived from geographical adaptations).
Excellent commentary, Tony.
Thanks. I appreciate that.
Thanks for reminding environmentalists and sustainability activists that human exceptionalism is a myth. It is likely that the negative feedback we're creating will reverse our growth this century. Meanwhile, those avoiding engaging with overpopulation are abetting greater suffering as the reversal occurs. All should have a look at Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome. Reg Morrison explains it around 80% into this short course: [ http://www.zo.utexas.edu/courses/THOC/gambler.pdf ] in the section "Evolution's Automatic Plague Limiter"
Thanks for the link!