Global Warming

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by Blake


Indeed. I really can't see a problem with human genocide so long as we support genocide of other species.

I would tend to say that the genocide should be done towards certain ends, for example we do genocide other species for a reason (even if it's apathy) not JUST for the sheer joy of genocide.

For example it'd be a lot smarter to genocide the population which is most wasteful, we'd want to do it efficiently and this would mean targeting the areas which maximize population density x polluting density.

It'd be dumb to say, start by genociding Iceland, when Iceland isn't really doing much harm - genociding the population of Iceland doesn't really help solve any problems. So I'm not talking about token genocide as an appeasement-to-the-gods strategy, but really good wholesome genocide which solves real problems.

We'd do well by starting by eliminating many of the major population centers in USA and China, maybe India (the population density is high even if they aren't too bad overall), pretty much all western countries could stand to genocide some of their major cities, to be fair. Maybe in New Zealand we could do Auckland, that wipes out a 3rd of the population and the city wouldn't really be missed that much by the rest of the country, it'd solve a lot of traffic problems too.

[Krill]

There is nothing 'good' about nature, btw. It's a bloody struggle of self-interest.

Indeed. And in many aspects it would be a better course of action to not continue to wipe out species left right and centre.

[Krill]

Originally posted by LordShiva

I'm like that with most of his posts TBH.

[Lorizael]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Global Warming

Originally posted by Cort Haus
Only humans have any concept of philanthropy or ethics. That's what makes us special (one of the things).

Hey, what about that story about the monkey and the dog?

[Blake]

I'm not interesting in making people agree or disagree with me. I'm interested in provoking thought.

For instance I'm comfortable with saying "good wholesome genocide which solves real problems." because I'm awesome like that. I'm a person who will literally not harm a fly (at least not with malicious intent), but I am willing to acknowledge that genocide can solve some kinds of problems - it really can.

If it's unthinkable to use human genocide to solve problems, then why is it thinkable to genocide other species to solve problems?

If an advanced alien species comes along and is being bothered by our radio pollution (it's a problem to them), would it be just as thinkable for them to genocide humanity to solve this problem, using the same logic of "We're smarter and better builders and it's the quickest and cheapest solution"?

[Lorizael]

And yet you viciously destroy any virus or bacteria that enters your body. You monster.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by Blake
If an advanced alien species comes along and is being bothered by our radio pollution (it's a problem to them), would it be just as thinkable for them to genocide humanity to solve this problem, using the same logic of "We're smarter and better builders and it's the quickest and cheapest solution"?

As far as they're concerned, yes.

[Blake]

There are many more bacterial cells in my body than there are human cells. I have to take into consideration the welfare of that colony of gut microbes.
Life is a compromise, some harm is necessary, some harm is unnecessary.

[Blake]

Originally posted by LordShiva


As far as they're concerned, yes.

Now if the alien species came along and picked up a random human and used that human to determine what human morality is and decide to use OUR morality (not theirs) to decide the correct thing to do...

Would you rather they pick me, or you?

[Krill]

Originally posted by Blake
There are many more bacterial cells in my body than there are human cells. I have to take into consideration the welfare of that colony of gut microbes.
Life is a compromise, some harm is necessary, some harm is unnecessary.

Actually, I still think there are more human cells than bacteria, considering the size of the intestinal tract and comparative size of bacteria...

[Krill]

I'd rather they pick the Dalai Lama but then if they get the Chinese one...

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by Blake
There are many more bacterial cells in my body than there are human cells. I have to take into consideration the welfare of that colony of gut microbes.
Life is a compromise, some harm is necessary, some harm is unnecessary.

All compromise means is that you limit the value of certain things. When others eat animals and such, it's just another way of limiting value. Just a way you don't happen to agree with.

[Blake]

Originally posted by Krill


Actually, I still think there are more human cells than bacteria, considering the size of the intestinal tract and comparative size of bacteria...

Wikipedia
It is estimated that 500 to 100000 different species of bacteria live in the human body (Sears, 2005). Bacterial cells are much smaller than human cells, and there are about ten times as many bacteria as human cells in the body (1000 trillion (1015) versus 100 trillion (1014); Sears, 2005). Though normal flora are found on all surfaces exposed to the environment (on the skin and eyes, in the mouth, nose, small intestine, and colon), the vast majority of bacteria live in the large intestine.

[Krill]

Wow. Learn something new everyday.

[Blake]

Originally posted by Lorizael


All compromise means is that you limit the value of certain things. When others eat animals and such, it's just another way of limiting value. Just a way you don't happen to agree with.

The question is one of motivations. Are you concerned for the welfare of your body? Or are you motivated by the pleasure derived from the taste of the food?

I fully condone cannibalism, in such a case where it allows one person to survive where otherwise both will die. I am willing to allow myself to be eaten in such a situation, where the survival of another truly depends on me being eaten, and their survival is more justified in some way than mine, perhaps I have a broken leg or something so my survival will be less likely.

I would bitterly protest being eaten by someone who merely enjoys the taste of human flesh.

That is the root of my veganism. Under which circumstances would I willingly allow myself to be ate.