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We're pretty special, at least in the context of this planet. Science tells us that we are by far the most intelligent creatures to live on Earth in its observa

We're pretty special, at least in the context of this planet. Science tells us that we are by far the most intelligent creatures to live on Earth in its observable history, and the only ones to meaningfully modify it. In the very least, we are the only creatures to inhabit Earth, that if we become extinct, it is somewhat likely that we are both the victim and the perpetrator.

Terr_ 10y ago
> and the only ones to meaningfully modify it. The first oxygen-excreting algae may have a prior claim...
- rev_bird 10y ago
  I'm not sure this is relevant. I mean, yes, they most certainly changed the planet itself, but it wasn't really to benefit themselves, was it? We build skyscrapers and Howitzers for intentional purposes, not because we excrete them.
  - Terr_ 10y ago
    > but it wasn't really to benefit themselves, was it? Well, their descendants are pretty much everywhere you see something greenish, so it seems to have worked out. > We build skyscrapers and Howitzers for intentional purposes, not because we excrete them. We also emit pollution for intentional purposes. They might not be particularly noble purposes, but they're 100% intentional by each of humanity's individual parts. I think you're confusing "the tools we use" versus "the ways we change the globe". Most of the worldwide changes we cause are not explicitly planned or built, but side-effects of the "metabolism" of our civilization.
ageofwant 10y ago
Intelligence is not a indicator of survivability, and if it somehow was, we found ourselves on the completely wrong side of the argument. How many other planet-altering intelligent species do you see around you ? Do you think that is a good indicator of survivability ?
- rev_bird 10y ago
  This seems fallacious, but I can't put my finger on how. Yes, there is currently a lack of "planet-altering intelligent species," but, as far as we can tell, there has always been a lack of planet-altering intelligent species. We don't have any evidence of a being with human-level capabilities than then died out.
facepalm 10y ago
Surely not the only ones to meaningfully modify earth. If you look from space, earth looks green... Also, wasn't the atmosphere changed to be more rich in oxygen by early microbes?
ageofwant 10y ago
Cyano-bacteria created our current breathable atmosphere and most all iron deposits. Calciferous phytoplankton built England, vast tracks of southern France and literally creates the air we breathe. Those things all meaningfully modified it back in deep time and continue to modify it today.

Terr_ 10y ago

> and the only ones to meaningfully modify it. The first oxygen-excreting algae may have a prior claim...

rev_bird 10y ago
I'm not sure this is relevant. I mean, yes, they most certainly changed the planet itself, but it wasn't really to benefit themselves, was it? We build skyscrapers and Howitzers for intentional purposes, not because we excrete them.
- Terr_ 10y ago
  > but it wasn't really to benefit themselves, was it? Well, their descendants are pretty much everywhere you see something greenish, so it seems to have worked out. > We build skyscrapers and Howitzers for intentional purposes, not because we excrete them. We also emit pollution for intentional purposes. They might not be particularly noble purposes, but they're 100% intentional by each of humanity's individual parts. I think you're confusing "the tools we use" versus "the ways we change the globe". Most of the worldwide changes we cause are not explicitly planned or built, but side-effects of the "metabolism" of our civilization.

ageofwant 10y ago

Intelligence is not a indicator of survivability, and if it somehow was, we found ourselves on the completely wrong side of the argument. How many other planet-altering intelligent species do you see around you ? Do you think that is a good indicator of survivability ?

rev_bird 10y ago
This seems fallacious, but I can't put my finger on how. Yes, there is currently a lack of "planet-altering intelligent species," but, as far as we can tell, there has always been a lack of planet-altering intelligent species. We don't have any evidence of a being with human-level capabilities than then died out.

facepalm 10y ago

Surely not the only ones to meaningfully modify earth. If you look from space, earth looks green... Also, wasn't the atmosphere changed to be more rich in oxygen by early microbes?

ageofwant 10y ago

Cyano-bacteria created our current breathable atmosphere and most all iron deposits. Calciferous phytoplankton built England, vast tracks of southern France and literally creates the air we breathe. Those things all meaningfully modified it back in deep time and continue to modify it today.