Is Man the climax species?

[Johnny Redgate]

Originally Posted by waxcap

"Free will" is an illusion. We, like the ants, will continue to react as our programming dictates. Blind to the future consequences, as evolution necessarily is.

It's a fair cop m'lud, but it's me genes wot are to blame?

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

I mean what's the point of creating them, only to destroy them?

Jim

Sent you a PM

Nige

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by htcdude

Sent you a PM

Nige

Hmmm, I make of that what I will. (Scrutiny ?)

Neil.

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by fairplay

Hmmm, I make of that what I will. (Scrutiny ?)

Neil.

This'll turn into a 'religious' debate before long

Nige

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by htcdude

This'll turn into a 'religious' debate before long

Bring it on - I'm up for it! Give me your best shot, 'Nige'!

;^)

Jim

[fairplay]

I cannot see how this thread can be taken any further - we know mankind is at present the climax species of the animal world but, ... we are still evolving.

At the same time we are inventing more and more artificial bits and pieces to keep our bodies functioning (beyond it's normal life span ?) and there has long been talk of controlling our brains artificially, so I have no doubt scientists are doing just this not only in the US but maybe China, India and Russia too.

So, I firmly believe by the year 3000 hybrid man will be a very common sight on this planet. (and all women will look like Victoria Beckham)

Neil.

[davecatt]

First off this is not and never was intended to be a religious debate,so please bare that in mind when responding to future posts.

My reference to dinosaurs being "also" created by God was just my way of saying that we are all created by the same natural force (or chain of events) which some believe to be the work of a Deity but which I choose to call nature.

My intention in starting this thread was to explore the possibility that perhaps we should put past attitudes to mans role and how things should be done behind us, and instead look to the future by using education to guide future generations.

The main problem is of course re-educating the present educators.

Perhaps we have the unique ability to think creatively enough to change our own lives and attitudes?

We dont live inside a box so why confine our thinking within those sort of parameters?

Could it be that we face the choice to re-evaluate or go the same way as the Dinosaurs ?

But then why should we care? As far as we're concerned in the words of the old saying "it'll be all the same in a hundred years"

Or to put it another way some body else's problem. Perhaps we should just carry on watching X factor or Corry or Spring Watch or whatever else turns us off, and let our world sort its' self out.
Dave

[fairplay]

I'm tempted to say I don't have a clue what you are on about because man has been trying to think outside the box ever since Galileo made a fool of the Vatican.

Neil.

BTW, An imagined 'deity' and nature are 2 entirely separate things - I cannot see how you could possibly confuse the 2.

[davedotcom]

Originally Posted by davecatt

First off this is not and never was intended to be a religious debate,so please bare that in mind when responding to future posts.

Good rescue

Originally Posted by davecatt

My intention in starting this thread was to explore the possibility that perhaps we should put past attitudes to mans role and how things should be done behind us, and instead look to the future by using education to guide future generations.

Although I think that's a very different question to 'Is Man the Climax Species' it seems as good as any as a natural next question.

My thoughts on this is that opinions are changing. There is a lot more visibility of the damage we are doing to our planet than there was a few years ago. We can make a number of changes to reduce the anthropomorphic pollutants.

The problem as I see it is the fact that money makes the world go round. There can be however many Kyoto agreements or treaties made on climate change, but ultimately, if reducing carbon emmisions or other pollutants means that the corporate wheels have to turn a little slower and make a few less almighty dollars, the agreements go out of the window.

The thing that means that man and dinosaurs are on the same level is that there are so many variables that are out of our hands. Can we control solar constants that could freeze or fry the planet? No. Can we control (notwithstanding a particular deity's ability) the path of an asteroid that may be on collision course? No.

But I don't think those variables should mean we shrug our shoulders and not bother. I would rather go through a bit of pain now so that my baby daughter has a planet wourth living on!

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by davedotcom

Good rescue

Wasn't my above post (76) a good rescue too ? At least it is written in plain English with no hint of any hidden agenda, and getting back to topic.
Anyway let us change history and pretend Dave never said "God made the Dinosaurs" and get on with the show.

Neil.