Stephen Fry On God

like a virus on the planet.....LOL

 

Thriving and clinging to survival are different levels of association and we experience both. We have the ability to thrive we also have the ability to alter the environment itself and destroy each other. Perhaps in this process we could use more circumspection instead of the persistent excuse of economical necessity. Our position here is not assured or stagnant.

 

That is what is so wonderful, too...anything can change.....

 

change ability and adaptability are the same to a degree

 

You measure your life by evolutionary standards only?

 

No, but that was what I was responding to.

 

Do you suggest the healthy or thriving human condition is predicated on numbers of individuals? Seems only we are a dominant species in that regard.
Right now, old habits of humanity are the only things standing in the way of finding our own evolutionary niche.
Perhaps a better way to state this is old habits stand in the way of deftly responding to changing conditions. Evolution is way too slow to keep up with growth in this time of the global explosion of information. Innovation is indicated as desirable. Our ecological niche is given to us in our function which is to taste and to know. This give us the power to inhabit to varying degrees every ecozone on the planet. We don't play by the same rules as those animals seasonally, regionally, or specific food source focused.

 

In evolutionary terms, yes the number of individuals is largely predicated on humans success. To expand on that idea, the fact we can cultivate and attain our own food in most parts of the world, helps us overcome the predatory/prey dynamics which often most animals are troubled with particularly if their species overpopulates.

We don't live in the ocean, nor do we live in extremely cold weather conditions, so there is about 75% + of the Earth which is not hospitable to human life. In that regard, I do think we satisfy an ecological niche.

I am interested in the terms which Nephila or Moonglow are talking about us not thriving though...

 

biologically speaking, we are very strong, at the top of the food chain and are reproducing at an alarming rate, so we are thriving in that sense. however, i do feel like we are not thriving "socially".

we are creating systems which supress the masses to serve a few and that is causing alot of problems and we should focus on fixing that issue.

 

To thrive is to grow or develop well or vigorously. Obviously we have many and growing health issues and developmental problems on a global scale.

We share that terrain and we put undo pressure on other species. We swim in sail on and harvest food from the ocean even though we don't live in it. Point is by virtue of our consciousness we create our own niche which involves crowding out previously adapted species in many instances.
Usually new ecological space or niche environment is created by disturbed or new terrain.

 

That is just it, thedope, many other species are being pushed out of existence by us.
or poached....etc.....

 

I like poached fish on occasion.

It is not only species that we are threatening but habitable environments that support diverse species and diversification is the the key to evolutionary sustainability. I don't think monoculture is a coherent evolutionary strategy nor does it jive with increasing complexity. We may be top of the food chain but microbes could bring us down if we keep messing with the planets chemistry with the use of such things a industrial antibiotics in the food chain etc. The way we are patenting and producing seed in a monopolized way toward monetary ends makes the whole food system vulnerable to disruption. Round up ready crops are experience increasing production problems requiring ever more chemical fixes.

 

I find this fascinating..

http://marinebio.org/oceans/deep/

Based on some your responses to me in the past, I feel like I need to preface this, that I am curious in your ideas and to get you to analyze what you are saying.

So what is your point of contension in regards to us not thriving?

 

Jesus master bated a lot, he told me this. It's ok, you don't need to get all crazy about why your remorseful.

 

I thought about becoming a marine biologist but decided too much school. One of the most time consuming subjects to get an advanced degree in. In reflection upon ourselves being the only measure or where the buck stops concerning all accepted terms, that is where I finalized my educational direction, i.e. know thyself.

 

Why would I be remorseful if he spooged. I would be concerned if I couldn't perhaps.

 

Oh, we are thriving with the multiplying as a race.....but my point is that look at the quality of life for many on the planet. is it with much quality.....?....as we inhabit all of the spaces and throw the animals that are left in zoos and in wildlife refugees...It seems that all the human race does is multiply. Quantity and not much quality for many....
Ever notice how insane the world is getting while we are at it?

 

The world does seem insane in many aspects, however there is subjectivity in "quality of life."

Part of this insanity to me is that from a Western Point of View, a lot of countries which I'd presume to have a poorer "quality of life" tend to have higher fertility rates. I understand there are variables such as availability of contraceptives and education which factor into this as an explanation, but still seems insane.

 

Well, even in this country.....many are fighting over the same crumbs.....
ever see a cage of mice....a few get along...over crowd it...and disease and fighting break out....known fact.

 

I'd argue (in the philosophical sense) that by and large, the advances in technology over the past 20 or so years has improved the quality of life for the vast majority in this country.

Within a capitalist system, I think competition is inherent. I'm not defending stuff like an expanding income gap, just that the stuff which gives us alot of what we enjoy is more or less built out a ideological system of competition.