Poll: Should our species be exempt from culling?

[lord canti]

Every time I hear someone say animals are no more important than humans. I ask them if they would take an animals life to save their own kid? That usually shuts them up.

That depends, would you take the life of another human to save your own kid?
Would you take two? =3

yes I would doesn't mean I won't feel bad for it. Just like as much as I love animals if a dog is attacking my kid I wouldn't hesitate to kill it.

 

[Darius Brogan]

Oh, I get it, you're just a huge fucking asshole not willing to believe that the Earth wasn't put here just to suit your specific needs as a being that perceives itself to be intelligent! That's makes SO much more sense!!!

Point here being that I'm capable of perceiving myself as intelligent, rightly or wrongly. Animals can't do such a thing, so that puts me ahead immediately. You too, much as you seem to hate your inborn superiority.

I live as a neutral entity, and I will die as a neutral entity.

Not very ambitious, are you? Well you might be determined to be a worthless nothing, but please don't hold back those of us with our human instincts intact.

Ambition nothing. My inborn superiority doesn't make me think I'm better than any other animal, as I cannot fathom a logical reason to place ourselves above them on the food chain 'Just because we can think'. It does, however, perform the same function as beating the shit out of the previous Alpha wolf, and make me a better Human Being than others. I'm not perfect, and will never claim most, as your argument has already proven.

Try not to take it the wrong way but, if intelligence truly makes one better, I really am quite a bit higher than most of humanity. Neutrality does not make me an emotionless, opinion-less being, it just assures a near completely unbiased opinion in every case.

 

[Alade]

Some people just need to realize that we ARE better than any other living being on this planet and that we deserve special treatment from ourselves, since we can't expect it from the other (non-intelligent) creatures on this planet.

However I will agree that the population increase is alarming and needs to be handled in some way.

 

[Red Albatross]

Murder is hardly necessary.

Nature will eventually fight back with a nice big epidemic that will wipe a good 30-80% of us off the map. I'm okay with that.

 

[Valkyrie101]

The point I'm making is that we humans have unimaginable potential: just look at how far we've come in the last five thousand years. Trees and flowers have zero potential, and literally do not have minds, so should be disregarded.

So... Should we kill off all the plants and trees then? How about insects? or even half the other far inferior species could probably go as well. They are obviously in the way our progression to ascend to out rightful place as gods of this world? [/sarcasm]

No, because they're useful to us. We need them to exist. Note that this only makes them important in conjunction with humanity.

Okay, that was probably quite offensive and distasteful to people, so apologies where needed.

Seriously though I am probably one of the first people to admit that I dislike other people, even put back in context, the superior-species entitlement some people have these days is quite disturbing.

So here we go, you're a people-hating misanthrope, which explains why you get on better with grass than people. But some of us have a vested interest in survival and progress.

And you're a specie-elitist Hitler that doesn't seem to realize all facets of his own race (Not to mention doesn't read whole posts)

Now that I have given you the satisfaction of sinking to your level of namecalling, shall we move on?

I don't know about you, but I'm sure I can name the primary only contributing factor that will lead humanity extinct.

Oh God, tell me you didn't just compare trees to Jews, or civilization to the Holocaust.

I'm not going to bother continuing this discussion, because you're starting to give the impression of being a tiny little bit sociopathic not to mention unhinged species-traitor.

snip

Listen, it's this simple. We are humans. Look around and take in everything that we have achieved and created. Now look at animals and plants. What have they achieved? Nothing. What will they ever achieve? Nothing. They are simply biological processes. So are we. We are, however, far more advanced biological processes.

That is, of course, taking the very broad universal perspective. Since we are humans, we ought to take the human angle, which is this simple: we are human. We are more important, because we are we and they are they (not to mention considerably inferior in any case). Therefore, it is in our interest, yours and mine, to survive, even at their cost. That is instinct. That is our purpose. Anyone who fails to live by this creed, dies. Simple Darwinism.

Anyway, what's your long-term plan if it doesn't involve human survival?

 

[Darius Brogan]

There is NO VALID REASON that Human beings are better than any other species in existence. End of story.

Our higher moral reasoning? The ability to create beauty i.e. art in all its forms? Our completely unique ability and desires to save other life forms?

How about that there isn't and there has never been an animal that would want to actively protect other species from their environments/predators/extinction, even if they could. [And before you get clever, rare cases of adoption in animals doesn't count. I'm talking organised efforts, to artificially maintain the life cycles of dying species.]

This is actually provable when you consider that something like 97% of ALL species that have ever been -in the billions of years before we came along- are extinct. There were no telethons for them, no awarenesses raised, no resources diverted, no shits given.

There are a couple of reasons for you.

I'm well aware of the fact that billions of species around the world have gone extinct without the interference of the human race, I believe the numbers are closer to 99% by the way.

I am also aware of the fact that the Human Race has directly (and in many cases knowingly/intentionally) caused the extinction of millions and millions of species that, without our interference would not have gone extinct for decades, centuries, and possibly millenia.

Organizing efforts to preserve the dying remnants of species we, ourselves, caused near extinction of, does not make me believe that humans are better than any other animals.

Off the top of my head, animals we're 'preserving' in North America alone include, but are not limited to: (A-B) Amargosa Vole, American Bison, Bighorn Sheep, Brown Bear, Cougar, Gray Wolf, Jaguar, Jaguarundi, Margay, Ocelot, Red Wolf, and West Indian Manatee. All of which live on, at, or near North America.

 

[PixelJunk]

Somehow, I severely doubt we're that important.

 

[Xanadu84]

Humans are worthy of Moral consideration. Animals arn't. If you disagree with the first point, you are a psychopath. If you disagree with the second, either your a hypocrite or a PETA supporter. Humans well-being is always, always, ALWAYS an ends, not merely a means. To think otherwise could be argued as the very definition of evil. Human beings certainly have disgusting aspects, but that is because of their treatment of OTHER members of humanity, whether directly, or indirectly through the destruction of resources.

 

[PrinceOfShapeir]

Of course not, what an absurd question. Setting aside all thoughts of the -disgusting- thought process that makes the murder of billions of innocents as an acceptable measure - and quite frankly, the fact that you think billions of people deserve to die for the crime of being Human - dear God, that's one step up from Saturday Morning Cartoon Villain motivations. You're one step up from the bloody Necron.

Anyway, getting back to setting aside the moral implications, Humanity is the only race on this little planet that has any chance of making a mark on the universe that will go beyond and outlast dear old Planet Earth. Intelligent life is precious, the result of millions upon millions of years of natural selection. I believe that there are other forms of intelligent life in the universe, but no one knows that. The only thing we do know is that we are an intelligent species, capable of at least beginning to comprehend the mysteries of the universe. That knowledge is worth pursuing. Inevitably, Earth will be destroyed. It's destruction will come one day, whether it be by intelligent agency or the inexorable march of an uncaring universe. When that time comes, if Humanity has not already spread beyond the stars, Earth was for nothing, just another part of a small blink of light in a universe filled with billions of such lights.

But if Humanity outlasts Earth, then something new will have entered the universe. Maybe something wholly unique.

That is what elevates Humanity above the other life on this world. Humanity has a chance to outlive Earth. It has a chance to outlive this galaxy, a chance to outlive the universe. The only way the wolves, or the deer, or the oak trees will escape the death of Earth is if Humanity saves them. If we lay our hands down and decide to die as some of you seem to be suggesting, that chance dies with us. Earth will eventually become nothing more than a desolate ball of iron, perhaps inhabited by bacteria and a microbe or two, until the Milky Way is itself destroyed by Andromeda and it becomes little more than a scattering of dust traveling across whatever is left from the galactic collision.

 

[DudeistBelieve]

two solutions-

1. we start enforcing mandatory birth control, by law. Now I'm against big government, but I see this as an absolute necessity. We need to slow down the birth rate.

OR/AND

2. We gotta start planning colonization of other planets.

 

[Azure Sky]

Oh God, tell me you didn't just compare trees to Jews, or civilization to the Holocaust.

I'm not going to bother continuing this discussion, because you're starting to give the impression of being a tiny little bit sociopathic not to mention unhinged species-traitor.

Trees? No, your attitude to Hitlers? That's better.

And oh noes, I'm a traitor to my own species now? Are you trying to make an argument or kill me with humor, I'm now quite unsure.

But you are right, there is no point in continuing this, it is a waste of time.
Anyone who can think logically can see all the holes in your statements clear as day anyway. =3

EDIT: Have fun with the whole 'Master Race' mindset, I'm sure you can tell us all about it one day?

 

[RobCoxxy]

World War 3 is the answer to that problem.

I've said it before, I'll say it again:

"War. Huh. YAYEAH. What is it good for? Controlling the population, that's whut."

 

[wiggler]

Holy shit this is the most depressing messed up poll I've ever seen in that no is actually -winning-. How the hell could you instigate culls? And say who died and who lived? Jesus christ.

 

[Pyro Paul]

Humanity as a species is the most destructive force on this planet we are the only species that knowlingly destroys our environment, our atmosphere, and the extinction of other species. We have the gift of knowledge and we choose to burn the world to a cinder instead of using it to make a better place. With this view I do beleive the population does need to be monitered and controled but by civilized means like birth control.

You think 'nature' is all lolly pops and gumdrops?
Nature is the most distructive force ever witnessed. it is full of chaos which, through flukes, alter the fate of millions of species.

we have the gift of knowledge, and we use it to Fight nature and try and bring order into a random chaotic world.

Global Warming, for instance.
That is a Fluke caused in a shift of the earths orbit from the increased number of massive volcanic eruptions and huge earth quakes seen in the past 50-100 years. It would of happened regardless if weither or not humans existed...

yet, as a race, we try and 'stop' it...

you give humans too much credit.
we are mearly a speck of paint in the larger picture... a grain in the hourglass of time... nothing more then a foot note in the annals of existance. To believe that we are anything more is just arrogance.

In response to the question: Do you think human activity is a significant contributing factor in changing mean global temperatures?

Source: http://www.skepticalscience.com/global-warming-scientific-consensus-intermediate.htm

It is Human Nature to blame ourselves for events occuring that we barely understand.

Lightning strikes, Earth Quakes, Volcanic eruptions, Floods, Plauge... All brought about because of wrath of one god or another in order to punish the wicked, wrong, evil, and unfaithful...

so to your question...
Do i believe that we humans are at Fault for a Naturally occuring event that we barely understand Occuring?

No. I believe that this Naturally occuring event is *gasp* Naturally occuring.
we just so happen to be here while it occurs.

 

[Liudeius]

We aren't quick to kill thousands of other animals to prevent overpopulation, that's just a stupid excuse that hunters use to justify hunting. Animal populations normally fluctuate an if hunters hadn't been stupid enough to kill all the wolves, deer's would be naturally killed more.

 

[Valkyrie101]

Oh God, tell me you didn't just compare trees to Jews, or civilization to the Holocaust.

I'm not going to bother continuing this discussion, because you're starting to give the impression of being a tiny little bit sociopathic not to mention unhinged species-traitor.

Trees? No, your attitude to Hitlers? That's better.

And oh noes, I'm a traitor to my own species now? Are you trying to make an argument or kill me with humor, I'm now quite unsure.

But you are right, there is no point in continuing this, it is a waste of time.
Anyone who can think logically can see all the holes in your statements clear as day anyway. =3

EDIT: Have fun with the whole 'Master Race' mindset, I'm sure you can tell us all about it one day?

I suggest you seek psychiatric help. When you start hating your own species, there's something fundamentally wrong. (Incidentally, wishing death and destruction upon your own species is treason.)

 

[Spartan X1]

Humanity as a species is the most destructive force on this planet we are the only species that knowlingly destroys our environment, our atmosphere, and the extinction of other species. We have the gift of knowledge and we choose to burn the world to a cinder instead of using it to make a better place. With this view I do beleive the population does need to be monitered and controled but by civilized means like birth control.

You think 'nature' is all lolly pops and gumdrops?
Nature is the most distructive force ever witnessed. it is full of chaos which, through flukes, alter the fate of millions of species.

we have the gift of knowledge, and we use it to Fight nature and try and bring order into a random chaotic world.

Global Warming, for instance.
That is a Fluke caused in a shift of the earths orbit from the increased number of massive volcanic eruptions and huge earth quakes seen in the past 50-100 years. It would of happened regardless if weither or not humans existed...

yet, as a race, we try and 'stop' it...

you give humans too much credit.
we are mearly a speck of paint in the larger picture... a grain in the hourglass of time... nothing more then a foot note in the annals of existance. To believe that we are anything more is just arrogance.

In response to the question: Do you think human activity is a significant contributing factor in changing mean global temperatures?

Source: http://www.skepticalscience.com/global-warming-scientific-consensus-intermediate.htm

You are right we are just a speck but what I'm trying to get across is that nature can be destructive but what nature does it always repairs itself we have a constantly changing planet but as humanity we have technology that upsets the natural balance of things we pollute our air and water with chemicals and smog destroy our land then we have atomic power the one force that can leave an area completly devoid of life for long periods of time. With no control of ourselves we could very well ruin our planet, yes we are a speck but even a small speck of cancer can bring down an entire body

 

[Peteron]

Just cut back on reproduction. There is no reason to go around and slaughter people....same goes for animals. Culling would put us back a few hundred years. This is the 21st century, we prefer to do things that look less savage. (Even if they are not entirely)

 

[Valkyrie101]

Of course not, what an absurd question. Setting aside all thoughts of the -disgusting- thought process that makes the murder of billions of innocents as an acceptable measure - and quite frankly, the fact that you think billions of people deserve to die for the crime of being Human - dear God, that's one step up from Saturday Morning Cartoon Villain motivations. You're one step up from the bloody Necron.

Anyway, getting back to setting aside the moral implications, Humanity is the only race on this little planet that has any chance of making a mark on the universe that will go beyond and outlast dear old Planet Earth. Intelligent life is precious, the result of millions upon millions of years of natural selection. I believe that there are other forms of intelligent life in the universe, but no one knows that. The only thing we do know is that we are an intelligent species, capable of at least beginning to comprehend the mysteries of the universe. That knowledge is worth pursuing. Inevitably, Earth will be destroyed. It's destruction will come one day, whether it be by intelligent agency or the inexorable march of an uncaring universe. When that time comes, if Humanity has not already spread beyond the stars, Earth was for nothing, just another part of a small blink of light in a universe filled with billions of such lights.

But if Humanity outlasts Earth, then something new will have entered the universe. Maybe something wholly unique.

That is what elevates Humanity above the other life on this world. Humanity has a chance to outlive Earth. It has a chance to outlive this galaxy, a chance to outlive the universe. The only way the wolves, or the deer, or the oak trees will escape the death of Earth is if Humanity saves them. If we lay our hands down and decide to die as some of you seem to be suggesting, that chance dies with us. Earth will eventually become nothing more than a desolate ball of iron, perhaps inhabited by bacteria and a microbe or two, until the Milky Way is itself destroyed by Andromeda and it becomes little more than a scattering of dust traveling across whatever is left from the galactic collision.

That's a terrible way of looking at it and you're a terrible person for daring to suggest that humans are somehow better than other forms of life. Your logic is all wrong, you evil baby-murdering Nazi.

------

Seriously though, /thread. You've pretty much described, better than me , why intelligent life is important and why the preservation of it is vital.

 

[Darius Brogan]

The point I'm making is that we humans have unimaginable potential: just look at how far we've come in the last five thousand years. Trees and flowers have zero potential, and literally do not have minds, so should be disregarded.

So... Should we kill off all the plants and trees then? How about insects? or even half the other far inferior species could probably go as well. They are obviously in the way our progression to ascend to out rightful place as gods of this world? [/sarcasm]

No, because they're useful to us. We need them to exist. Note that this only makes them important in conjunction with humanity.

Okay, that was probably quite offensive and distasteful to people, so apologies where needed.

Seriously though I am probably one of the first people to admit that I dislike other people, even put back in context, the superior-species entitlement some people have these days is quite disturbing.

So here we go, you're a people-hating misanthrope, which explains why you get on better with grass than people. But some of us have a vested interest in survival and progress.

And you're a specie-elitist Hitler that doesn't seem to realize all facets of his own race (Not to mention doesn't read whole posts)

Now that I have given you the satisfaction of sinking to your level of namecalling, shall we move on?

I don't know about you, but I'm sure I can name the primary only contributing factor that will lead humanity extinct.

Oh God, tell me you didn't just compare trees to Jews, or civilization to the Holocaust.

I'm not going to bother continuing this discussion, because you're starting to give the impression of being a tiny little bit sociopathic not to mention unhinged species-traitor.

snip

Listen, it's this simple. We are humans. Look around and take in everything that we have achieved and created. Now look at animals and plants. What have they achieved? Nothing. What will they ever achieve? Nothing. They are simply biological processes. So are we. We are, however, far more advanced biological processes.

That is, of course, taking the very broad universal perspective. Since we are humans, we ought to take the human angle, which is this simple: we are human. We are more important, because we are we and they are they (not to mention considerably inferior in any case). Therefore, it is in our interest, yours and mine, to survive, even at their cost. That is instinct. That is our purpose. Anyone who fails to live by this creed, dies. Simple Darwinism.

Anyway, what's your long-term plan if it doesn't involve human survival?

I wonder if you realize that your own argument is working against you. You say humans are superior creatures, MORE advanced biological processes. Riddle me this, Why do insects have chitinous armour plating? Why are Cheetahs the fastest mammal on Earth, the Peregrin Falcon the fastest animal.

Each of them and many more all have mechanisms to maintain their own lives, Humanities only advantage is the fact that, sometime in our species history, we caught a disease, a virus, that causes our brains to develop in place of jaw muscles.
We have no claws, no fur, no armour, no fangs, we can't see at night without aid, we're not fast, we're not strong, we cannot fly. We have only the basest of physical senses that tell us what is going on in the world at large, and we rely almost entirely on our sight.
How, even with all of our supposed 'achievements', even though 'achievement' is a human based term, are humans actually BETTER than other animals??

Besides, I couldn't care less about humans as a whole. I will be seeing to my survival and mine alone in the foreseeable future, and in the event that I need oversee another humans well-being, I will only do so if they are first capable of surviving, and providing something of use to me, you know, as human nature dictates.