[Ibon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', ' ')We carry in our genes the entire history of our adaption to our ecosystem. It is a code an infinite order of magnitude more complex than any machine or computer we have built or could possibly build. That is timeless, magical, and inexplicable.

[AgentR11]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ibon', 'Y')ou need an ecological Vatican with a council of ecologists that sends out an update every decade defining what the boundaries are around consumption and breeding so that sin is avoided.
Ecological sinning. Could we ever incorporate this into our religions?

[Ibon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ibon', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', ' ')We carry in our genes the entire history of our adaption to our ecosystem. It is a code an infinite order of magnitude more complex than any machine or computer we have built or could possibly build. That is timeless, magical, and inexplicable.

[Timo]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('AgentR11', 'W')e collide on the issue of sex and reproduction, because it is a hot button for popular culture, and is well suited for the hawkers of various brands of soap.

[Outcast_Searcher]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', ' ')We carry in our genes the entire history of our adaption to our ecosystem. It is a code an infinite order of magnitude more complex than any machine or computer we have built or could possibly build. That is timeless, magical, and inexplicable.

[Ibon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Outcast_Searcher', '
')As to timeless, magical, and inexplicable -- sigh -- such words don't belong in practical science we're actually in the middle of, and have made great strides in.

[Timo]

pstarr, I hesitate to question your neurology lesson, but based on my personal observations of the science of neurology, I think you grossly overestimate the capacity of the average human's brain.

Present company excepted, of course.

[Timo]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Timo', 'p')starr, I hesitate to question your neurology lesson, but based on my personal observations of the science of neurology, I think you grossly overestimate the capacity of the average human's brain.

Present company excepted, of course.

[Pops]

Meanwhile, back in the world, people are less concerned than ever, even as PO.com headlines turn all caps:




http://www.gallup.com/poll/182105/conce ... aign=tiles

[Timo]

Thanks, Pops. That is a very strong demonstration of why I lack any faith in humanity. The problems we face are always someone else's responsibility to fix. Worry me not! Excuse me. I've got political soap operas to watch, 24/7 across 6 different networks. I'm worried that Republicans might just accept that global warming is real. That thought makes it hard for me to sleep at night.

Then again, that was a poll unique to American's views, no? Maybe in other parts of the world, there is more concern for the health of our planet. I suspect there would have to be more widely shared concerns of such matters in Europe. In Russia, Asia, Africa, South America, likely not so much. Hope I'm wrong.

[Ibon]

Don't extrapolate in a linear line forward from this poll. The humble pie is also growing larger every day the denial remains strong.

[onlooker]

"In other words, until now, we have never experienced external consequences that have selected for self regulation."
I have to dissect this statement because it stands out prominently in so much as what has been our history as a species. It has been about surviving and adapting. We have faced all sorts of challenges, at times living in balance with nature at others not so much. Yet, whether in a tribe , alone ,or as part of an empire whatever, we have pushed forward to conquer and to overcome. However, as you guys have noted this time it will be different, our hubris will be utterly revealed as mal-adaptive. We will know humility, all of us. This is the only hope if their is hope. We have a history of conquering and achievement which has fed our ego and ironically led us to this point in history. Now, we will fall precipitously. I also feel that the Earth has now been harmed too much to sustain a large population, our numbers will dwindle and we will almost certainly regress greatly technologically and in our cumulative knowledge. However, perhaps we can salvage enough too quickly re-establish some measure of a civilization. As I stated before, we as humans will be in the midst of a great ecological calamity, I do not see thus how we will not comprehend just how we have harmed Mother Earth. I do believe we have it within us to change our mental outlook in the profoundest of ways. I do not see humans as fatally flawed, we simply leading to this point have been to intelligent for our own good and not wise and circumspect enough. However, what I fear is that Earth will not be very hospitable or giving going forth to life on this planet for a long time to come

[Timo]

Onlooker, you summed up my POV quite nicely. Thank you!

pstarr, maybe Ibon doesn't see humanity as a plague on the earth, but I do. I don't enjoy saying that, either. There is a lot of good in humanity, but the balance has always seemed to tip the other way. I do agree with you, though, about the evolution of animals to fill the voids due to extinction. Where there's a vacuum, there's an opportunity to be filled. All will not be lost, but this time around, humans will be the primary cause of most of the loss the planet will be forced to endure.

But hey. There's always a bright side. We seem to be on the verge of WWIII that stands a very good chance of bringing down our global population to a more manageable state.

If only humanity's wisdom matched its intelligence...............

If there has ever been a constant in the history of humanity, it has been armed conflict. Humans simply must fight and kill each other. There seems to be no way around that element of our being.

[Ibon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ibon', 'I') appreciate cryptic short answers but I have no clue what you are saying here.

[Ibon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('onlooker', ' ') I do believe we have it within us to change our mental outlook in the profoundest of ways. I do not see humans as fatally flawed, we simply leading to this point have been to intelligent for our own good and not wise and circumspect enough. However, what I fear is that Earth will not be very hospitable or giving going forth to life on this planet for a long time to come

[AgentR11]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Timo', 'I')f only humanity's wisdom matched its intelligence...............