human greatness

[subbss]

Yes, we are the masters of the world. Whereas an animal would be at the mercy of nature, we conquer storms and earthquakes.

We have NOT conquered earthquakes.

Whereas animals viciously fight each other to gain breeding grounds, we read books. And we are the master of all creatures. We do experiments on mice not the other way around.

Sounds strangly familiar to something that has happened in the world recently...we DO viciously fight each other to gain breeding grounds. WE may not call them breeding grounds but our modern reasons for viciously fighting each other are no less primitive.

"Listen up, maggots. You are not special. You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake. You're the same decaying organic matter as everything else." -Tyler Durden (Fight Club 1999)

Snowflakes being unique was disproven recently. THey are not all different, many of them are identical... like people.

Well since I assume the measure of greatness is based on human standards of accomplishment, then yes they are they greatest.

That depends on what you define as "accomplishment". I think bacteria had made more accomplishment than we have if you consider how many of them there are compared to us.

 

[stormbind]

I think humans are pathetic, and additionally, I think they underperform. My opinion of humans isn't very high.

However, my opinion of demi-humans...

There may well be an alien species in the 'verse that utterly shames us.

 

[Rik Meleet]

Humanity is doing a fair try. But humanity is not even close to what bacteria have accomplished.

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

That depends on what you define as "accomplishment". I think bacteria had made more accomplishment than we have if you consider how many of them there are compared to us.

My point exactly. According to what I consider accomplishment (knowledge, reason) we are the best, but with defining accomplishment, it is an empty question.

 

[Thadlerian]

I think humans are the greatest species on Earth, but not for reasons of technology. We usually get carried away with it anyway, and use it for destruction, making us no better than a couple of ant tribes commiting genocide over a dead bug.

A helicopter pilot manouvers close to a cliff to save some moronic parachutist who ignored the ban and jumped anyway. He doesn't know the guy, and if the dude dies, he's brought it upon himself. Nevertheless, the pilot braves the risk, and gets him out.

I don't think an animal would be capable of doing such a thing (not the helicopter part, mind you; I imagine an ape with the controls connected to its nervous system could do it with a lot of training). The selfless benefactor assisting the survival of DNA that is not his own, I believe is a human invention.

 

[~Corsair#01~]

I'd say humans are among the most vile creatures on the planet, but hey- you gotta love 'em.

 

[Pirate]

Humans are amazing. We are the only species that has the will to create things that will outlast ourselves (art, architecture, etc...)

However, the skin of an octopus that can instantaneously change shape and color is really freakin' amazing.

 

[thestonesfan]

I'd trade half of my human ingenuity for skin that changes colors. That is cool.

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

Not only can they change their colour patterns instantly to its surroundings, but they can also instantly change their shape and texture to match their surroundings.

Were guys also watching that Nova's "Origins" on PBS?

 

[stormbind]

I think humans are the greatest species on Earth, but not for reasons of technology. We usually get carried away with it anyway, and use it for destruction, making us no better than a couple of ant tribes commiting genocide over a dead bug.

A helicopter pilot manouvers close to a cliff to save some moronic parachutist who ignored the ban and jumped anyway. He doesn't know the guy, and if the dude dies, he's brought it upon himself. Nevertheless, the pilot braves the risk, and gets him out.

I don't think an animal would be capable of doing such a thing (not the helicopter part, mind you; I imagine an ape with the controls connected to its nervous system could do it with a lot of training). The selfless benefactor assisting the survival of DNA that is not his own, I believe is a human invention.

I have seen a documentary with Gorrilas, where the big chief guy went back to rescue baby gorrilas that had ignored his rules and got themselves caught in traps laid down by hunters.

That's kind of comparible to the helicopter.

 

[Pirate]

Were guys also watching that Nova's "Origins" on PBS?

Yeah, those octopus blew my mind.

 

[Blackbird_SR-71]

I consider Humans idiot (no offense to anyone)

We humans haven't done anything I find relevent that helps the Earth. Actually We humans haven't done anything for the environment except destroy it and pollute it while destroying species one by one.

 

[Pirate]

I consider Humans idiot (no offense to anyone)

We humans haven't done anything I find relevent that helps the Earth. Actually We humans haven't done anything for the environment except destroy it and pollute it while destroying species one by one.

Since when is the purpose of a species to help the Earth? Yes, we should be stewards of our environment and our record so far could use some help, but there are many right-minded and innovative people working toward a sustainable society. Sometimes I wish fellow environmentalists wouldn't be such pessimists. I want to preserve our environment because I want to preserve us!

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

Yeah, those octopus blew my mind.

Absolutely amazing indeed. The colour part was cool enough as it is, but the way it was able to instantly change its shape and texture to that of the seaweed plant, is what I thought was the most amazing.

Apparantly they have huge brains in order to accomplish all of it.

 

[stormbind]

Since when is the purpose of a species to help the Earth?

The first and foremost instinct (or programmed action) of living creatures is to guarantee continuation of their species. Humans claim to have inteligence, and we know that a wrecked Earth reduces mankind's chances of survival.

This goes beyond our immediate interests and encompasses the entire ecology of the planet, knowledge, and future inspirations locked therein. We cannot just protect our immediate surroundings, if the aim is to give the next generation every oportunity to expand their understanding (emphasis).

Most humans do not think about helping the Earth, and are obviously missing one of the two given traits.

 

[Pirate]

The first and foremost instinct (or programmed action) of living creatures is to guarantee continuation of their species. Humans claim to have inteligence, and we know that a wrecked Earth reduces mankind's chances of survival.

This goes beyond our immediate interests and encompasses the entire ecology of the planet, knowledge, and future inspirations locked therein. We cannot just protect our immediate surroundings, if the aim is to give the next generation every oportunity to expand their understanding (emphasis).

Most humans do not think about helping the Earth, and are obviously missing one of the two given traits.

I agree 100% that thinking longterm and preserving our environment is in fact in our best interests. But I disagree that animals have an instinct for environmentalism. Their instinct is for self preservation, and their drives are to eat and reproduce. Elk populations spike and crash because they reproduce beyond their carrying capacity, overgraze their lands, then die in huge numbers due to self-induced famine. (so do bacteria and any other unrestricted population) No elk think to themselves "we'd better stop eating, or hold off on having babies for a little while or else we'll starve ourselves". Only humans see the big picture.

 

[Lonkut]

However, even though we are a great set of creatures we have made many mistakes

What makes you think they are mistakes. Its human nature: We are destroyers, crafters, and destroyers. The thing is that we all think differently but some people think that we all should think the same and when one thinks differently there is something wrong with that person, the actions of that person are "mistakes", "bad things".

 

[Alvaro da Luna]

Before you trumpet human greatness, take care to note that our rivals on this planet are far greater in number and adaptability than we are.

Archaean and Bacterial life is far more biologicaly adaptable and numerous than we are. In fact, Archaea form at least a staggering 1000% more of the earths biomass than all animals and plants combined.

Bacteria aren't much of an immediate threat of course, but they've shown that they can adapt to antibiotics, and with similar population dynamics to Archaea, their rate of adaptation can be staggering to behold.

Recently, some cockroach populations have adapted to the chemical DDT. It was designed to destroy pests; however, their rate of adaptation was so much so that these populations regularly 'consume' the poison as part of a normal diet.

So, there is still a long way ahead before we can master the environment. Remember, all we have is our modest wits. We are horribly underadapted, and have a long way to go before we can achieve absolute supremacy.

 

[Mescalhead]

How are we not the most "important" species?

I'm not necessarily arguing, I just wonder what your criteria is.

If we suddenly vanished tomorrow, the world could easily recover without catastrophic consequences. We are at the top of the food chain. We can only benefit the other species by our demise.

 

[boogaboo]

I voted "I am alien, destroy all humans!", although I agree only with the second part.
We are extremely smart, and also extremely selfish and two-faced.
With 6 billion selfish hipocrites, I don't see a happy end, but I do see a sad middle (look around).

I hope the human race will either disappear by some cause, or will reduce itself to somewhere BELOW 1 billion, be effective, and know where he it at.
Currently, this sounds like science fiction.