I see the planet as a big shaggy dog and the human race is an infestation of fleas. So if a dog has a few fleas it probably doesn't even notice and both dog and fleas live in harmony. But then the fleas get into breeding mode and their numbers get totally out of hand .The fleas start to move around a lot more than before and the amount of blood they consume starts to make an impact on the health of the dog.So what does the dog do ? It will scratch and gnaw at its own skin to relieve the irritation.They may also roll in dust or mud to rid itself of the unwanted guests. This is what the earth is doing, condition on this earth will get so bad the the human race will be eliminated and than in time ,(which the planet has plenty of)the earth can get back to the healthy natural condition it was in before Homo sapiens evolved into and infestation of fleas.

RORY

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I'm Spartacus .

I think that's an excellent analogy--thanks for sharing it.

But, if the fleas are aware that their own quality of life, and eventually their very existence, is imperiled by the way they're treating the dog, should they take massive steps to minimize their impact, so that some additional number of future generations can prosper? Or is it futile, since their demise is inevitable, and hey, why shouldn't they live it up while the living is still good?

Of course, having other nearby dogs changes the equation.

Do you know? Does anyone? I believe we have a serious responsibility not only to our future generations, but to all life, and to our planet. Since we don't know we're totally screwed, we should try, regardless. What's done may be done, but there's no need - or time - to puzzle over it. It's a matter of principle. We need to get cracking, and I'm glad the youth are taking a stand.

The Native American stewardship principle of thinking seven generations ahead is a darned good one.


Unfortunately that option is rather out of reach for the foreseeable future.

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"Time is the wisest counselor of all." - Pericles

"I remain not entirely convinced of it." - Nano

I've been homebrewing for almost 30 years. This is the way I see it:

CO2 and alcohol are waste products of the yeast. Any brewer knows that if you put too much fermentable in your wort, the yeast will make so much alcohol that they'll die.

Same thing is true of humans and the earth. If we don't take care, we'll drown in our own filth one way or another.

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Charlie
Whorfin Woods
Cthulhu 2020: NO lives matter

I think Rory's analogy is a good one. I've long been a firm believer that, in the medium to long term, the planet will be fine; humans won't be, but that's just too bad.

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"Only connect!"

https://youtu.be/ezbWVysJAOY
https://tapm.bandcamp.com/

Just saw this, interesting and humorous at the same time:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rhQVustYV24

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Charlie
Whorfin Woods
Cthulhu 2020: NO lives matter

I'd be very negative about our future if it depended on humans changing their habits of consumption and attitudes towards our rites to use this planet anyway we see fit. Apart from population control which is a big factor, I'm hoping that as technology got us into this mess technology will get us out . Better energy technology , waste management and recycling and some way of cleaning up the damage that has already been done.

RORY

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I'm Spartacus .

Since we're so addicted to plastics, I'd think it was more than high time that truly biodegradable plastics - a technology we have - became the norm. It would at least give us the breathing space to clean up the rest.

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"Time is the wisest counselor of all." - Pericles

"I remain not entirely convinced of it." - Nano

A complete ban on single use plastics would be perfectly possible, and a very good thing. We no longer use clingfilm at all in our house.

_________________
"Only connect!"

https://youtu.be/ezbWVysJAOY
https://tapm.bandcamp.com/