this worries me

[wizzo]

I agree entirely Freefeet. I watched a program the other night. 'Who's afraid of the big black hole' I believe it was called. Anyway, it just showed how really insignificant we are as a planet and as a 'superior species'. We really ain't that clever. We place ourselves above all other creatures and all other life. Nature will eventually chew us up, spit us out, and push on with re-creating more forms of life. Hopefully we won't be included in her plans. We can only do what we can, in our own limited way, and hope that karma will look after us in whatever exsistence awaits us. I find a lot of comfort in my belief, that mother earth will/is fighting back. I went to see the Michael Jackson movie today, and the redition of 'Earth Song' actually had me fighting back tears. As I write, I've just watched 'the natural world' on BBC. Just one more example of how pathetic a species, we are. Kev

[fairplay]

Fritillary.

I was only talking about 1 type of mycorrhizal fungus and the point was in reference to the host tree becoming extinct (or not).
We all know fungi break down organic matter (not minerals)
Please don't distort what I have written.

Neil.

EDIT. And to Richnfamous & Wizzo - I agree with what you say in your last posts.

[richnfamous]

Originally Posted by wizzo

I agree entirely Freefeet. I watched a program the other night. 'Who's afraid of the big black hole' I believe it was called. Anyway, it just showed how really insignificant we are as a planet and as a 'superior species'. We really ain't that clever. We place ourselves above all other creatures and all other life. Nature will eventually chew us up, spit us out, and push on with re-creating more forms of life. Hopefully we won't be included in her plans. We can only do what we can, in our own limited way, and hope that karma will look after us in whatever exsistence awaits us. I find a lot of comfort in my belief, that mother earth will/is fighting back. I went to see the Michael Jackson movie today, and the redition of 'Earth Song' actually had me fighting back tears. As I write, I've just watched 'the natural world' on BBC. Just one more example of how pathetic a species, we are. Kev

Well...I agree entirely with you about the idea that we're somehow 'above' all the other species on the earth. We have some special abilities but haven't (in the 'western', Judaeo-Christian culture) understood that we're not masters over nature, and it's not there for us.

However, I must disagree with you about us 'hoomins' being pathetic. I think we're amazing, wonderful creatures that have the capacity to work wonders with the natural world that we're a part of too.

There are too many of us living out of balance with nature (including our own nature) so things have to, and will change. The natural processes of life will assert themselves and remind us that we're no more significant than other species, including the extinct ones. I hope we're not going to eliminate ourselves in this process, at least not before my mate Mark gives me my 5 quid back

[freefeet]

Originally Posted by richnfamous

We have some special abilities but haven't (in the 'western', Judaeo-Christian culture) understood that we're not masters over nature, and it's not there for us.

We understood the culture very well indeed, it was that culture that created the problem in the first place.

Man creates god, man declares that his god created the natural world, man then declares that god created man in his own image, man then declares that god gave man dominion over the natural world.

Man thinks he's god because in his fear of the unknown that's what he wanted to be!

And the natural world has been kicked the xexexexe out of ever since.

[wizzo]

I'm not even gonna try and follow that Freefeet! I guess I was generalising somewhat. Maybe what I should have said was "As a species, we excel at acting pathetically". I know, we have such incredible potential. Just imagine what we could do together. This isn't a new train of thought as you know. Trouble is we have invented capitalism and that won't go away now. Death, destruction and greed equals profit, for some at least. If you look at history, mankind has always coveted what his neigbour has. I also think, that is the way nature has created us to be. I believe that people that really care are not 'normal'. Sadly, I know that makes me really cynical, but I'm afraid that's the way we are, period. I'd like to add that I'm always looking at myself, and that I'm not proud most of the time. I am materialistic, I could do more, much more, to protect my world and fight for what is right. Most of the time however, it's too much bother. Sometimes though, when the mood takes me, I will challenge somebody for throwing litter down or, as happened the other day, I really ripped into some bloke for trying to kick a pidgeon. I just find it really difficult to do it tackfully. The point that I'm trying to make, in a very long winded way, is, I moan about things every day, but I'm only pro-active once in a blue moon. And that makes me feel pathetic. I'm on a right downer now lol - where's me bottle of Merlot? hic!

Ps...hope you get yer fiver back before that 150 foot tidal wave hits!!

Wizzo

[wizzo]

I've reflected for a while now and I've decided to be more positive in the future. So....please disregard the above!