Reply #115: I don't like Mass Extinction ... [View All]

[chicagiana]

...

Ya know, I really don't like mass extinction either. But I think we aren't being scientific if we claim these are harms to human existence.

Extinction is merely a mechanism of evolution. Extinction clears the way for adaptation among surviving species.

Invasive species is a process of nature. It is biological exploitation. At the same time, they provide an opportunity for evolution of local species.

Zebra mussels are a HUGE problem in the Great Lakes. However, they are an IMMENSE foodsource for SOMETHING. And at some point, some of our lake fishies will figure out how to exploit that food source.

I think we SHOULD be concerned about these things because we're loosing the natural wonders of the world. Of course, in some cases we're loosing a potential economic resource in species.

But this does NOT threaten the existence of humanity. It only threatens the quality of that existence. Extinction and invasive species are merely mechanisms of natural selection. Bemoaning these things as a danger to the planet only strikes as hypocritical*.


* That is, unless you believe in intelligent design. In that case, we are losing something that we can never get back because we have no idea when god will make new animals to take the place of the old ones.