2007-02-01 16:35:49 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Environment
Unfortunately. The sad thing is that is DOESN'T have to be that way. However, human stupidity and greed triumph once again and so we see the human race breeding like rabbits, consuming at an unsustainable rate, finding new and inventive ways to destroy each other, and wrecking all that's green and beautiful in the name of the almighty dollar.
2007-02-01 16:41:02 · answer #1 · answered by The Man In The Box 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One characteristic of cancer that invites this analogy is that cancer cells show unrestricted growth. (Or as somebody put it: Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.) Such growth can overwhelm the organism that has cancer, and cause its death.
If you think of the earth (its ecosphere or its human population) as an organism, then the analogy could be valid. If you think of the earth as a ball or rock covered with a thin layer of fluids and gases, the analogy breaks down.
The most interesting question to think about is whether humanity has the ability or the will to control its growth. That can be argued, and in that case you would have to wonder whether humanity is a terminal or non-terminal cancer to the biosphere.
2007-02-02 00:34:42 · answer #2 · answered by Observer in MD 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Great question. I recently finished a book by Bill Bryson, best selling author to several books although not this one. It is "A Short History of Nearly Everything". It is about history of earth and history of man. We suffer from being too successful. We over populated the earth. And, I think, we will one day pay the price.
2007-02-01 16:49:40 · answer #3 · answered by Kitiany 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your metaphor is crude, but perhaps too true. Humans and industry are encroaching on every part of the planet. Our leaders and our institutions move too slowly to correct our current course. The environmental stress will change everything. However, we may experience a "Malthusian" die-off caused by the conjunction of famine, disease and war. Bad for people, but good for the rest of creation.
2007-02-01 16:52:58 · answer #4 · answered by mindshift 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cancer, an organism that grows continually, to the point that it's host is destroyed, thus inadvertantly destroying itself?
Sounds about right to me.
2007-02-03 08:40:56 · answer #5 · answered by Tor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As we are now and have been in the past, yes. I wish I could email you a little cartoon I have illustrating just that.
2007-02-03 04:09:46 · answer #6 · answered by Nikki 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Humanity is invariably incapable of governing itself. We are consumers foremost.
2007-02-01 20:32:20 · answer #7 · answered by ErikWithBrain 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well that's certainly one way to look at it. interesting that the solution to both problems involves radiation.
2007-02-01 16:45:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, not at all..
We are like bacteria on a big beach ball...
The earth does not know we are here and does not care...
2007-02-01 16:44:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
ummm, it's more like a tuberculosa, when you spitt blood, have feaver and die, yes I think so
2007-02-01 16:41:45 · answer #10 · answered by mothman 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋