If you think about our presence, what do we contribute to nature? Waste, pollution, and death. We feed off of the earth and all of its inhabitants. So, aren't we parasites?
2007-07-12 06:05:53 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Yes, we have a right to be here (like the guy above said), but if we were to judge ourselves from a non athropocentric and speciesist point of view, we'd realize that we're not only destroying the planet, but we're actively decimating the other species here.
Most of what we contribute to nature is for our own good. Sure, there are various conservation organizations, but they're way overshadowed by industry, agriculture and meat production. Our overall impact is negative.
I'd say we're the greatest parasites (of course, that's kind of a metaphorical use of the word). Not only that, we're like a disease in that we destroy the host, Earth. We're a selfish species, and we believe that we can survive without any other species. Your question rocks. I hope more people start thinking like you! Next question: what are you going to do to reduce your negative impact on Earth and its species?
2007-07-12 06:27:13 · answer #1 · answered by Sci Fi Insomniac 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well, that is one way to look at it. But symbiosis and parasitism are two different things. In symbiosis, both parties benefit. In parasitism, the parasite benefits at the expense of the host. So the question is, does the planet get any benefit from our existence? I'm not sure how my spiritual beliefs impact this, except that I believe we have a responsibility to clean up the messes we have made. I'm a member of the Ethical Society.
2016-05-20 15:26:55 · answer #2 · answered by erminia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stop belittling yourself. All animals contribute waste pollution and death. Parasites are a special form of prey that feed on a living body's systems.
2007-07-12 06:12:17 · answer #3 · answered by cattbarf 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Of course we're not by the technical definition of a parasite, but I agree with the similarities. Instead of a living creature it's a planet that is our host, which can be said to be a living creature in a sense. Just like a parasite we keep multiplying and multiplying and will do so past the limitations of our host. Just like a parasite we are damaging our host without any thought (although parasites have an excuse, they can't think - humans just live in denial), and will continue to do so until it dies, and and the parasite will die with the host.
2007-07-12 06:16:21 · answer #4 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Well not by technical definitions but the earth could definately live without us yet we can't live without it so what good are we really doing?
2007-07-12 10:21:11 · answer #5 · answered by Kaitlyn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no we aren't because we keep nature in check, just like many other species who keep nature in check by killing other animals, and our pollution does not contribute to the environmet as much as people think, and when we die we help the environment by adding naturall fertilizers.
and all animals contribute to pollution, when trees rot they add methane, one of the greenhouse gasses, and that is much more than we release from our cars and other pollutants, and when any animal farts, they release methane, when we breath we release carbon dioxide, another greenhouse gas. plus we do need greenhouse gasses to keep the planet from extream cooling
2007-07-12 06:22:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
answered your own question. yes were a type of parasite
2007-07-12 06:12:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
We have as much right to be here as any other species on this planet.
2007-07-12 06:16:48 · answer #8 · answered by Nature Boy 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋