Reply #34: Thank you rman, for pointing out something frequently overlooked [View All]

[ydya]

in popular discussions on evolution. Time.
Carlin once correctly said (and I'm paraphrasing here) that the "save the world" movements were arrogant. The world has endured for a whole lot longer than humans have been around. Human history is a blip in evolutionary time. If we keep at this pace (divisiveness/war/environmental destruction etc), we will ruin it for ourselves. Many many species will easily survive. So if he baser instincts of humans prevail, they may eventually lead to our undoing as a species; they may at least end the species as we know it.
It appears to me that biological species that have survived hundreds of millions of years have had the ability to manipulate their surroundings to suit their NEEDS. We (humans) are unique in having the greatest ability to tailor our surroundings to what we WANT as well. And some wants (needless greed-based and selfishly destructive) are not necessarily good for humans from collective and long-term points of view.
Also, "surroundings" had a connotation of geographic immediacy through most of even our (human) history. Over the past century or so, we have developed the technological ability to affect the entire world. So our "surroundings" have expanded. Therefore, our (collective human) actions may end up being more damaging than hithertofore precedented in earth's history. But make no mistake, the cockroaches will still be here. As will many microbes. And plants. And reptiles. And humans too.
It certainly doesnt help that the intelligent generally reproduce at a far lesser clip than the uninformed. But such is life.
And time will tell which species will eventually survive; but I dont think that we will extinguish our species. Even if the bloodthirsty come to dominate the earth, it will take us back only a few thousand years. And amongst the bloodshedding and barbarism intelligent reasoning will emerge in force once more; only to last for a while before it is torn down by organized religion or some such well organized, well funded divisive force. And the cycle will continue, till maybe, just maybe, one bunch of generations will finally learn from our bloody history and learn not to repeat it.
Po-too-weet. And so it goes. (that last line, of course, borrowed from Vonnegut).

ON EIDT: Forgot to add that humans have suffered many horrible times through history. Sad as it is, nature has a way of culling its herd. So cut Darwin some slack.
There is an evolutionary undertone to old TJ's famous comment that the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.