Comments on: The hazards of misanthropic environmentalism http://www.starchamber.com/2008/02/the-hazards-of-misanthropic-environmentalism.html Ned Gulley's Blog. Resident buzzwords: synthetic biology, ambient displays, swarm robotics, wise crowds. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:57:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Mike http://www.starchamber.com/2008/02/the-hazards-of-misanthropic-environmentalism.html#comment-57274 Mike Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:25:26 +0000 http://www.starchamber.com/2008/02/the-hazards-of-misanthropic-environmentalism.html#comment-57274 It didn't fit with the tone of my last post, but I was also going to point out that while humans have reduced the biodiversity of some species, we've certainly increase the diversity of others. Look at the hundreds of strains of mice and rats used for research, or the crazy looking birds and cats bred by fanciers. And dogs. I hear they can do amazing things with terriers these days! It didn’t fit with the tone of my last post, but I was also going to point out that while humans have reduced the biodiversity of some species, we’ve certainly increase the diversity of others. Look at the hundreds of strains of mice and rats used for research, or the crazy looking birds and cats bred by fanciers. And dogs. I hear they can do amazing things with terriers these days!

]]> By: Ned http://www.starchamber.com/2008/02/the-hazards-of-misanthropic-environmentalism.html#comment-56480 Ned Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:01:22 +0000 http://www.starchamber.com/2008/02/the-hazards-of-misanthropic-environmentalism.html#comment-56480 That is an often overlooked point in all the doom and gloom: no matter how intolerable we make things for our own species, it is absolutely beyond our power to wipe out life on Earth. I find this comforting. That is an often overlooked point in all the doom and gloom: no matter how intolerable we make things for our own species, it is absolutely beyond our power to wipe out life on Earth. I find this comforting.

]]> By: Mike O http://www.starchamber.com/2008/02/the-hazards-of-misanthropic-environmentalism.html#comment-56367 Mike O Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:16:51 +0000 http://www.starchamber.com/2008/02/the-hazards-of-misanthropic-environmentalism.html#comment-56367 The irony of it all is that the environment that the environmentalists are trying to save an environment that exists as the result of 100,000 years of humanity. If they really wanted to wipe the scourge of humanity of the face of the Earth, what better way than global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain, and maybe a little radioactive waste?! This environment is essential to our survival, not life's survival. Life on Earth has survived and prospered through mass extinctions (plural) that make our endeavors pale by comparison. It is the pinnacle of anthropocentrism (not misanthropy) to believe that humans hold such power over all of life. It reminds me of an old Dr. Who(TM) episode, where the heroes return to a lifeless Earth and comment on the complete lack of life, while standing in a field of heather with bugs buzzing around. I want to save the environment because it is the environment that is best suited to me and my descendents. Whatever happens in the future, there will be an environment and there will be a diverse biome; how much of it is habitable by humans is another question. The irony of it all is that the environment that the environmentalists are trying to save an environment that exists as the result of 100,000 years of humanity. If they really wanted to wipe the scourge of humanity of the face of the Earth, what better way than global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain, and maybe a little radioactive waste?! This environment is essential to our survival, not life’s survival. Life on Earth has survived and prospered through mass extinctions (plural) that make our endeavors pale by comparison. It is the pinnacle of anthropocentrism (not misanthropy) to believe that humans hold such power over all of life. It reminds me of an old Dr. Who(TM) episode, where the heroes return to a lifeless Earth and comment on the complete lack of life, while standing in a field of heather with bugs buzzing around.

I want to save the environment because it is the environment that is best suited to me and my descendents. Whatever happens in the future, there will be an environment and there will be a diverse biome; how much of it is habitable by humans is another question.

]]> By: wolftone http://www.starchamber.com/2008/02/the-hazards-of-misanthropic-environmentalism.html#comment-56311 wolftone Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:03:41 +0000 http://www.starchamber.com/2008/02/the-hazards-of-misanthropic-environmentalism.html#comment-56311 ... and that's why "Living on Earth" is consistently the most depressing show on NPR. It's your once-a-week tally of resource depletion, species extinction, and shortsighted decision making. Joy! … and that’s why “Living on Earth” is consistently the most depressing show on NPR. It’s your once-a-week tally of resource depletion, species extinction, and shortsighted decision making. Joy!

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