6th extinction

isenhand · Post by **isenhand** » 11 Jul 2005, 08:20

PO is just one part of a mauch larger problem.

Here is something that might interest ppl here:

http://www.well.com/user/davidu/sixthextinction.html

kevincarter · Post by **kevincarter** » 11 Jul 2005, 14:20

yeah but it seems nature will take care of us before long. On the other hand all damage has been done with one key ally: technology. And technology has to be "fueled" with something. Don't underestimate nature as it is smarter than man (and more patient). "Balance" is on the way, it won't be nice, but destuction of spices, contamination etc, is not nice either....

tattercoats · Post by **tattercoats** » 11 Jul 2005, 14:31

Destruction of spices - that would be the co-op banning MSG and food colourants, then?

Sorry. Couldn't resist. I know you meant species, and yes, nature is patient.

Tattercoats

Lychee · Post by **Lychee** » 11 Jul 2005, 23:30

Thanks Isenhand for the species diversity link. It definately puts PO in context and raises the level/scale of debate. Although the evidence remains 'anecdotal' or based on disparate small-scale studies on species loss, the logic of accelerated 'man-made' extinctions is very compelling.

I recommend everyone read Isenhands link. It seems only Govt/Corporate sponsored agencies have any reason to dispute the implications of these findings (c/f tobacco companies and cancer research link etc.)

What is going on is so outrageously negligent and yet, our dishwashers are still working and we still have our cars when we need them, and our jobs (just). So who cares if a few thousand obscure sub-species of Amazonian butterflies/frogs/birds are disappearing fast as cheap oil! The sychronicity here is so patent...It's called capital accumulation and its gang-banging the planet...

Warm regards,

Lychee

isenhand · Post by **isenhand** » 12 Jul 2005, 05:55

kevincarter wrote:yeah but it seems nature will take care of us before long. On the other hand all damage has been done with one key ally: technology. And technology has to be "fueled" with something. Don't underestimate nature as it is smarter than man (and more patient). "Balance" is on the way, it won't be nice, but destuction of spices, contamination etc, is not nice either....

Not so much the technology but the way we use the technology but yes, we like all the other creatures on the Earth are subject to the same laws. The way we are using the technology we have at the moment is not very wise. For an intelligent species we seam to be no better than rat when it comes to putting our short term pleasure before our long term survival.

MacG · Post by **MacG** » 12 Jul 2005, 07:51

kevincarter wrote:yeah but it seems nature will take care of us before long. On the other hand all damage has been done with one key ally: technology. And technology has to be "fueled" with something. Don't underestimate nature as it is smarter than man (and more patient). "Balance" is on the way, it won't be nice, but destuction of spices, contamination etc, is not nice either....

Technology? Well, kind of... There are indications that the introduction of the human species in Australia some 50 000 years ago led to the rapid extinction of som 18000 species of birds. The same for other continents. It seem to be the birds that take the first hit. Will go and find reference some day.

isenhand · Post by **isenhand** » 12 Jul 2005, 08:31

MacG wrote: Will go and find reference some day.

Here is one possible link you might find interesting:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4660691.stm