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Humanity = parasitism
are we really nothing but parasites?

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Humanity = parasitism

WW_III_ANGRY
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Posted 05/07/08 - 12:40 PM:	#26
Toe wrote: –noun 1. an organism that lives on or in an organism of another species, known as the host, from the body of which it obtains nutriment. we arn't harming it we're only harming ourselves. What is the earths origin? Was it born or made? We started with the formation of our planet, so in a certain sense we are the end product of our planet. How are you angry towards. Are you angry towards peolpe or the planet. Whos fault is it? Is it not our own. Organisms are alive. The earth isn't alive.

Kreius
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Posted 05/07/08 - 12:55 PM:	#27
WW_III_ANGRY wrote: The earth isn't a species, nor are we harming it. Humans are not parasites nor do we partake in parasitism. Fetus' are not parasites either, for that matter. Sayyy, haven't we met before? Regardless, the main point of parasitism is attachment, attachment to the host, which provides nutrient and a place to survive. Doesn't this sound a bit like us on Earth? However, I think the real problem here is the connotation of the word parasite; true parasites are pretty nasty (tapeworms are viewed as disgusting and some can get pretty big) or are just very hard to take care if (viruses). Ergo, there's going to be some negative connotation. However, we are left with the question; is parasitism 'wrong'? Of course not, it is a naturally process, and is actually a better ideal to producing everything without the Earth via some terrible synthetic means.
_____________________ "Challenge your professors, even when you agree with them." -Herr Iosity

Cjwalker
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Posted 05/07/08 - 01:11 PM:	#28
Toe wrote: What is the practical use of the human species? All animals have a place within the world and most have a utility. But what is our use? I think this fact is very interesting, and I'm glad you brought it up Toe. Ive thought about this for a bit now, and I can only come to one conclusion. Not taking spirituality into consideration, I think our utility was once identical to any other earthly species and in some ways, are still identical. We once played a seemingly different role in the food chain, and were more likely to become prey then to be a predator of every other species -as we are now. I don't think every species has a important aspect or Utility. Lets use for example, the mosquito – Annoying little pests that carry diseases and seem to have no important role in an ecosystem. Maybe we have a similar fate to all animals of this world, in the sense that all specie have - including us, a want to survive. Maybe that is there so called utility? Concerning the main topic at hand, I hope we can all pretty much agree by now, that the word Parasitism, by DEFINITION, is impossible for humanity to be part of because it requires 2 organisms which here isn't the case. But I think we can all also agree that Humanity has in some way similar attributes to a parasite, and these attributes not only jeopardize our own well-being, but every other living organisms well-being as well. Now it seems the question we now have to address is, is parasitism “wrong”? And if it is, is it a more ideal way of doing things, then that of ours? Respectfully, Cjwalker
_____________________ “I have reached inner tranquility now that I have developed introversion within myself. No matter were I end up in life, and no matter what the circumstance of my confine, I will always have an infinite mind to look upon for my own amusement”. --Me

WW_III_ANGRY
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1 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 05/07/08 - 01:15 PM:	#29
Kreius wrote: Sayyy, haven't we met before? Regardless, the main point of parasitism is attachment, attachment to the host, which provides nutrient and a place to survive. Doesn't this sound a bit like us on Earth? However, I think the real problem here is the connotation of the word parasite; true parasites are pretty nasty (tapeworms are viewed as disgusting and some can get pretty big) or are just very hard to take care if (viruses). Ergo, there's going to be some negative connotation. However, we are left with the question; is parasitism 'wrong'? Of course not, it is a naturally process, and is actually a better ideal to producing everything without the Earth via some terrible synthetic means. Indeed we have.. and importance is subjective of course, so we should not chop the definition to make it something its not. Yes, I see how the similarities are sold, but when analyzed, it doesn't apply. If so, the earth is a parasite to space, space is a parasite to matter and matter is a parasite to space, trees are a parasite to the ground, the cells that consist of my hand are a parasite to my hand. Everythings a parasite when words don't mean what they mean. Edited by WW_III_ANGRY on 05/07/08 - 01:26 PM

Cjwalker
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Posted 05/07/08 - 02:11 PM:	#30
Well I agree that as humans a parasitic lifestyle is wrong because of the reasons you previously mentioned Toe. But what I meant to say is that parasitism from other animals, is that wrong? I say that it is not morally wrong, for a species to have self-interest. If a parasites way to survive is by leeching, then that does not make it wrong to do so as that parasite. Respectfully, Cjwalker
_____________________ “I have reached inner tranquility now that I have developed introversion within myself. No matter were I end up in life, and no matter what the circumstance of my confine, I will always have an infinite mind to look upon for my own amusement”. --Me

silverback
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Posted 05/14/08 - 02:15 PM:	#31
We can be parasitic to our eco system. But I don't think we could be classed as a parasite as we can also give back. Think about all the eco villages and permaculture folks trying to live off the grid. They are trying to fix the wrongs and convert others to give up their pointless things. Ever see cancer or a parasite start healing its host? I think the human race is ill. Like a giant junkie with loads of addictions. I think its just as possible we die of them as it is that we could quit and be clean. Think how many junkies quit and live without addiction. Won't be easy though , we will all have to quit all our addictions. But when you look at a crack/heroin addict you know they would feel better if they quit. So try telling yourself that once you have identified all your own addictions. And in response to those who say the earth is not alive , well you forget all the nutrients that come from the soil and other things you would see as dead and then become life. Its not all alive at once but life does come from it. If everything on earth died it would become what you say is not alive at the moment, but it would have been alive the same way the stuff that ain't alive now could be. Anyway a month ago I wrote a poem that's pretty much this exact topic so I might as well post it. Are We Cancer? Every Tom Dick and Harry Lime propagating infection of the masses, all races and classes. Not many with a clean bill of mental health, but many do excuse themselves. Evidence abundant of miswired brains when we ourselves the crossfire does claim. Our enviroment polluted and moral banks looted. Many pride themselves on being suited and booted. Not enough concern for air quality but plenty of time for frivolity. Free time wasted instead of individuals self educated. Count yourselves as one of the many or one of the few, regardless this world belongs to me and you. Junkies kick habits every day but we tell human nature to remain in decay. Solutions are simple unless the person next to you states otherwise, their friendly advice "use the demise to capitalize ". True costs are seldom counted but clean living a bird currently grounded. Some say we are a cancer, I guess that’s their choice to be. Cancer doesn’t have a choice but I do you see. Hope that was usefull, Heres a few resources on people healing instead of taking. http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=4S6kTlz6Mk4 http://www.permaculture.org.uk/mm.asp?nolinks=y&m...

-Jove-
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Posted 05/15/08 - 12:44 PM: Subject: that made me smile	#32
silverback wrote: Ever see cancer or a parasite start healing its host? absolutly loved reading that, even after reading through the last two pages. (its been a while since iv visited, hi guys:P) yes such a simple and 'absolute' shattering inquision. Everything is reative, nothing is absolute etc etc fantastic. Time and space also are relative, and in the grand scale of things I suspect that everything is going pretty much as expected. Since we gained consciousness and thus led us to the many ways of living we have and will, it was then inevitable, and as noticed in the universe things though diverse in relation to eachother, are not so to things of a common natue. Our stories and arts are well probable to express similarity to those of a collection of cultures such as our own, from a far galaxy. Remembering the mass diversity of our own peoples creation. Besides, you cannot assign a character trait to the whole of humanity :P

-Jove-
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Posted 05/15/08 - 12:45 PM:	#33
ps sorry, loved your poem

Bambi
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Posted 05/16/08 - 10:40 AM:	#34
I suppose, taking a very general view of things, that humans could be seen as 'parasitic' on the biomass as a whole, but so could every other living thing. We are just better at it than most of them. Additionally, we are the ONLY species that consciously cares for the wellbeing of its 'host.'

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