Why should humans not go extinct?

Question

Humans reproduce unchecked, constantly consuming our natural resources and contributing little back in return to counterbalance the effects of our boundless needs.
Things like water, fossil fuels, trees and even the air we breathe is either contaminated by our waste, or consumed by our gluttony. We are not the solution to these problems but the manufactures of them. We have been given this wonderful planet, which is perfectly balanced to sustain human life indefinitely, yet we carelessly devour all things on it, mindless of the long-term damage. Is that not a sign of a viral and dangerous entity?
Of all the planets in the known galaxy, we are the only ones, which hasbipedal life. We value this planet, our home, so very little, why do we deserve to live? Should we not go extinct and allow the planet to return to its natural state? Would it not be better off without us on it?

Answer 1

Well, first of all, I have to say that I agree with your points. We are damaging the balances of the world and our actions as a species have been carelessly destructive at best. In response to your proposed solution though, I think that willing the extinction of ourselves won't solve anything. It first goes against all instincts of self-preservation, and even if we did overcome such instincts, even with us gone, the Earth wouldn't necessarily get any better than its current condition. In my opinion, the only reason why we as a species are able to be so destructive is the fact that with our intelligence, we've basically moved to a ecological status where we can grow and expand basically unchecked. We have absolutely no idea how we came into existence or how we moved to this high ecological status. All talk of evolution or religion is theoretical at best. Nothing has been proven for a fact and nothing can be proven as fact in my opinion. Whatever event spawned us at the top of the ecological chain could just as well create a replacement in our stead should we go extinct. As for the damage we create with our existence, I think that mankind shouldn't be so self-confident with its power. If we take the worst-case scenario: utter resource depletion and total nuclear war resulting in the nuclear irradiation of every inch of the earth, the worst we can do is kill out humanity itself. The earth will still survive on and life will continue to exist. We could make the Earth uninhabitable for us but we could never eradicate organisms like arachaebacteria which live anywhere from deep in the ground to the highest mountain peaks. Such organisms can withstand even the harshest environments. We have the power to wreak havoc on ourselves, self-destruct in a sense, but not destroy whatever events or entity that created us.

Answer 2

If you think humans should become extinct, make no plans to have a family, then take a nose dive off a very tall building. Yes, humans pollute and use natural resources. But, there are just as many people out there who demand that humans be more responsible with the environment and that we be more peaceful and humane toward each other. Should these people go extinct as well because others are irresponsible? How about we kill off everyone and risk killing the person who has one or more answers to these problems? You're not the first person to bring up the idea of voluntary human extinction. The curious thing about folks who bring up such an idea is that they never seem to be the beneficiaries of their own prescriptions. They always suggest that future generations, or other people don't deserve a life. Yet, somehow, they still get a chance to live long, fruitful lives. Don't be like them. Life is worth living, even if there are people who screw things up for the rest of us.

Answer 3

Neanderthals grew to grow to be extinct after about 250,000 years and the sought after day human is in basic terms about forty,000 years previous. i'd be surprised if we very last see you later because the neanderthals did. Species ought to die off and face extinction for brand spanking new species to face up and flourish. that's a mixture of both, we are able to proceed to evolve yet there should be some type of occurrance or incedent that we'd no longer live on. something is a threat. nicely seem at that, word how defensive christians get.. i imagine they're getting a tad bit scared..

Answer 4

If we keep evolving perhaps we may get it right. At the present time it is safe to say we don't quite get it. The planet is also evolving and there is always fate to contend with. All we can do is try to fix our mistakes and with a little luck and a lot more thought maybe the human race can survive. The destuction humans have done thus far is going to burden the future generations and perhaps they will not survive because we didn't take the time to respect this wonderful planet.

Answer 5

If a tree falls in the woods, and noone is there to hear it, does it make a sound?

In the same vein, if humans are the only consious sentient creatures on the planet, does life exsist without us?

Creationists would argue that since the earth was created for us, then it has no purpose without us. It is incumbent upon us to preserve and appreciate what God has created for all mankind.

Answer 6

Of course the planet (and every other species on the planet) would be better off if we were gone. It's a no-brainer. If another intelligent race was to come upon us and see what we have done - they would conclude humanity is in fact a virus. We think our intelligence gives us a special status - it does - as tool makers who cannot handle what we develop.

Answer 7

In reality, what we consume is just converted from one form to another. Nothing is every really lost, and can be recovered. Theoretically speaking, nothing is really leaving this planet in terms of matter. Our current problem is that we can't convert waste into usefull matter. We attempt to rid ourselves of waste by combusting it. That's not very intelligent, but as long as we keep getting great minds to think of novel ways to convert waste into useful matter, or finding new forms of energy, we can live for centuries to come. Our only problem lies in the minds of our "leaders", or who some instate and follow as leaders. Our leaders will be the end of us.

Answer 8

Stop thinking small. Our task is to get OFF this rock and despoil many, many other planets. We are the "lowest scum from the yellow sun ... Space Pirates!"
Seriously, we are indeed using up the Earth. Poor planet. Let's find some others to use up. This is fun!

Answer 9

Since we pretty much ruined the planet, I think we should at least survive long enough to being reversing what we've done.

Answer 10

What would a planet be worth with people/things to live on it??