Comments on: The next mass extinction http://blog.longnow.org/2009/12/14/the-next-mass-extinction/ The Official Weblog of The Long Now Foundation and Friends Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:43:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: mpatmahoney http://blog.longnow.org/2009/12/14/the-next-mass-extinction/comment-page-1/#comment-9328 mpatmahoney Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:06:47 +0000 http://blog.longnow.org/?p=1324#comment-9328 Over 95% of all species that have ever existed reached extinction before humans entered the picture. We can only hope that we as a species are here to stay, which means that others, many others will also go extinct because of us. Would you prefer that the equation tilted the opposite direction? Compassion is no defense against a starving bear or lion. Ecosystem collapse/opportunities arise, one begets the other. Niches created will be filled and/or evolved into. Our long-view task is at the very least to seek an enviroment that will sustain human life. We can hope and strive for a future that has room for many other species, but we must be prepared for the possibility that those may be merely dometisticated varieties and countless parasites and opportunists. While very human, self-loathing and blame-game reactions are emotionally driven, self-destructive behaviors which hinder the development of a true long-term strategy for survival and prosperity. Thanks for the blog. I will follow with much interest. Over 95% of all species that have ever existed reached extinction before humans entered the picture.

We can only hope that we as a species are here to stay, which means that others, many others will also go extinct because of us. Would you prefer that the equation tilted the opposite direction? Compassion is no defense against a starving bear or lion.

Ecosystem collapse/opportunities arise, one begets the other. Niches created will be filled and/or evolved into.

Our long-view task is at the very least to seek an enviroment that will sustain human life. We can hope and strive for a future that has room for many other species, but we must be prepared for the possibility that those may be merely dometisticated varieties and countless parasites and opportunists.

While very human, self-loathing and blame-game reactions are emotionally driven, self-destructive behaviors which hinder the development of a true long-term strategy for survival and prosperity.

Thanks for the blog. I will follow with much interest.

]]> By: Steven Earl Salmony http://blog.longnow.org/2009/12/14/the-next-mass-extinction/comment-page-1/#comment-9203 Steven Earl Salmony Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:13:49 +0000 http://blog.longnow.org/?p=1324#comment-9203 Yvo De Boer and the leaders of Copenhagen Climate Change Conference are engaged in "the good fight" at the last, best opportunity for human civilization to save the planet for the children and coming generation as a fit place for human habitation. Years ago I was told that my generation had a duty to leave the world a better place than what is was when it was given to us by our forefathers and foremothers. It goes without saying that my not-so-great generation of greed-mongering elders will fall woefully short of discharging its responsibilities. Come what may for the children. Too many arrogant and selfish leaders in a single generation have recklessly chosen to fight wrongful wars for wrongheaded reasons, at a cost of blood and treasure that is as astounding in its stupidity as it is incalculable to measure. Yvo De Boer and the leaders of Copenhagen Climate Change Conference are engaged in “the good fight” at the last, best opportunity for human civilization to save the planet for the children and coming generation as a fit place for human habitation. Years ago I was told that my generation had a duty to leave the world a better place than what is was when it was given to us by our forefathers and foremothers. It goes without saying that my not-so-great generation of greed-mongering elders will fall woefully short of discharging its responsibilities. Come what may for the children. Too many arrogant and selfish leaders in a single generation have recklessly chosen to fight wrongful wars for wrongheaded reasons, at a cost of blood and treasure that is as astounding in its stupidity as it is incalculable to measure.

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