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Kipple, climate change, humans irreversibly changing the planet - it all sounds bad, until you realize that the earth has undergone numerous major shifts in the

Kipple, climate change, humans irreversibly changing the planet - it all sounds bad, until you realize that the earth has undergone numerous major shifts in the history of life, each of which created new conditions that ultimately led to humanity. The Great Oxygenation Event is the story of bacteria that mindlessly converted resources into waste until they were drowning in it, killing off the vast majority of life - except the tiny portion that was adapted to thrive on that waste. And from then on the oxygen-breathers flourished. This and other events make me pretty confident that some life form will find a way to make use of whatever garbage-laden hellscape we produce. In fact I'm pretty sure even humans will be able to adapt, and who knows, maybe the new conditions will usher in new wonders!

cortesoft 9y ago
I never quite understand this argument. I don't think people who are worried about climate change are worried that it will be the end of all life, but that it will be the end of a good life for humans. Knowing some bacteria will love the apocalypse doesn't really matter; I want humans, and my children and their children and their children's children, to be able to enjoy this planet. I care about humans because I am a human. I mean, if you trully believe that all life is interchangable, it doesn't really matter if humans exist as long as some life exists, then why do anything at all? Nothing would matter.
- resu_nimda 9y ago
  It is somewhat of a nihilistic or fatalistic argument. But to me it serves as a counterpoint to the fear and depression that can take hold when considering the future of humanity and one's lack of control over it. It's meant to be comforting in a "don't sweat it too much, life will go on" kind of way. I do sometimes feel like it's not worth worrying too much about what kind of earth your children's children's children's children will inherit. Just as all humans, they will enter the world as it is and make do. Their perspective and basis for what a "good life" is will be relative to their environment and experience. I'm not saying we should burn it all down for the hell of it, but that I feel like there is a lot of hand wringing and pessimism about "the future" that is perhaps unnecessary and contributes to increased fear and anxiety (i.e. not the good life) among people that are actually alive right now.

cortesoft 9y ago

I never quite understand this argument. I don't think people who are worried about climate change are worried that it will be the end of all life, but that it will be the end of a good life for humans. Knowing some bacteria will love the apocalypse doesn't really matter; I want humans, and my children and their children and their children's children, to be able to enjoy this planet. I care about humans because I am a human. I mean, if you trully believe that all life is interchangable, it doesn't really matter if humans exist as long as some life exists, then why do anything at all? Nothing would matter.

resu_nimda 9y ago
It is somewhat of a nihilistic or fatalistic argument. But to me it serves as a counterpoint to the fear and depression that can take hold when considering the future of humanity and one's lack of control over it. It's meant to be comforting in a "don't sweat it too much, life will go on" kind of way. I do sometimes feel like it's not worth worrying too much about what kind of earth your children's children's children's children will inherit. Just as all humans, they will enter the world as it is and make do. Their perspective and basis for what a "good life" is will be relative to their environment and experience. I'm not saying we should burn it all down for the hell of it, but that I feel like there is a lot of hand wringing and pessimism about "the future" that is perhaps unnecessary and contributes to increased fear and anxiety (i.e. not the good life) among people that are actually alive right now.