Delusions of bipedal mammals known as humans...

[Picard]

There are a lot of things about us that confuse me. These confusions tend to have bad influence on my social life. I'll try to recall some of them, and I'll put them down in no particular order.

~Humanity~
When you say that a deed is human, you usually mean noble, good, caring, etc. That would mean that to be human is to have those attributes, right? So, knowing that 90% of world population are selfish and arrogant, and none have all the attributes of 'humanity', where does that leave us? Either no human on earth is human, or humanity was defined wrongly. We define ourselves as something none of us are, and I find that stupid and confusing. No matter how hard I try, I still react badly when I hear the 'humanity' bulls*it...
PS : How come that the good guys in movies are never ugly? Are ugly people bad? Or do people need to have 'good genes' in order for us to "feel for them" (in lack of a better term)... How 'human' is that?

~Save the planet/nature~
You DO mean "save out own asses", right? Right! Why didn't you just say so? Don't worry, the planet will be fine if we happen to destroy ourselves. So will nature. Maybe there won't be any humans/polar bears/seagulls, but who cares? Even if bacteria are all that remains, it's still nature. I don't mind saving my own ass from global warming (or anything of the kind), but I won't pretend I'm doing it for the penguins. I'm doing it for my own selfish human ass, as are you.

~We're the only intelligent life on Earth~
And you happen to know that how, genius? Because we can speak, build and have opposing thumbs? How can you say that giraffes don't speak? Or that they haven't been to space, got bored, and decided to live a spiritual life on this planet?

~We're the only intelligent life in space (heard it yesterday on National Geographic)~
Same as above. We have sent a probe to Mars, and suddenly, we know it all. Not to mention the "life support" phenomena. They say a planet doesn't support life because we couldn't live on it, and all the while, we have bacteria that live in volcanoes on or own planet... I wouldn't be surprised if we missed life forms on the Moon, because we were to narrow minded to see them.

~Human mating rituals~
To be able to procreate, or just have sex with a female/male, you have to go through a painful and lengthy process of flirting/seduction, etc. How is that any different from what animals do, to win mates? If we're so superior, shouldn't I be able to find a girl I like, and say "Hey, female, can I have sex with you?" ?

Anyway, hope this makes at least some sense to you. English is not my native language so I wasn't able to express myself as I would in my language...
What do you think? Am I right, or wrong, and why?

[Origami]

I agree 110% with you especially on the topics of the definition of humanity and Earth conservation.

Topics like this tend to show the ignorance of man. Man as well "The most intelligent" is also the weakest. What is brain's without strength? All animals have both, except for humans. I mean fleas can jump up to 100 times there body length, can humans do that, no! Ants can lift so many times their own body weights, but poor man had to create something to do it such as forklifts and cranes.
Animals have built strutures considered FAR greater than any creation man has been able to create.

I may have got a lil off, not sure lol. Anyways, yeah I agree absolutely.

[ThatDude93]

humans are so weak compared to most animals (lb 4 lb)

[ThatDude93]

~Save the planet/nature~
You DO mean "save out own asses", right? Right! Why didn't you just say so? Don't worry, the planet will be fine if we happen to destroy ourselves. So will nature. Maybe there won't be any humans/polar bears/seagulls, but who cares? Even if bacteria are all that remains, it's still nature. I don't mind saving my own ass from global warming (or anything of the kind), but I won't pretend I'm doing it for the penguins. I'm doing it for my own selfish human ass, as are you.

My opinon on this is: I hate humanity...the world would be so much better off w/o us. I always say that we are God's only mistake.

Yes global warming is natural...climate change has happened a lot over the years that earth has been in existence.

I don't believe in Global Warming though....some parts are getting cooler....it is just basic climate change...but I think that our human actions are speeding it up...past its natural speed.

[Sapphire]

You are forgetting the idiom "to err is human" Hatred, greed, loneliness, anger, self-pity and selfishness are all human qualities as well. Human nature is a very diverse phenomenon.

Films are a form of entertainment. They very rarely reflect reality. To base views on humans and human nature on what you see in films leaves you with an immature and very inaccurate outlook.

Just because you view global warming and climate change with a very narrow and selfish attitude, doesn't mean that everyone else does. Animal conservation is important.

No-strings sex is ok for one night stands. But if you are looking for a relationship then it shouldn't be initiated by "Hey, have sex with me" there has to be a basis of love and respect for a relationship to actually work. If we "advanced" in accordance with your view, we would all be single/divorced with loads of STDs.

[dyslexiaa]

~Humanity~

I've always identified humanity to imperfection, error, and cruelty. Morality is treasured, but it isn't necessary. Our freedom stands on the graves of Indians and Brits.

Someone has to suffer for someone else to gain.


~Save the planet/nature~

Due to sheer numbers and adaptability, it's likely that humanity will never be extinct. The Earth can heat up, cool, suffer storms, whatever; humans can adapt through it. It's likely we can even stop an asteroid, so I doubt we'll be off Earth for a while.

~We're the only intelligent life on Earth~
As far as I know, we are. The definition of intelligent can be argued, but no other animals can communicate as well as we do, none of them have dominated us, they don't form permanent societies and they live nomadically.

There's little evidence of conscious thought in animals.

~We're the only intelligent life in space (heard it yesterday on National Geographic)~
There's an equation floating out there that 10 intelligent species are formed every year in the universe, but the universe is so large that we can't find them.

You figure that the Earth has been around for a couple billion years and no other species has arrived here. I'd like to see other intelligent life arrive here. It doesn't matter that there is other intelligent life if they can't reach us, to be honest.

~Human mating rituals~

There biggest difference between human mating and animal mating is love. Humans have sex for the sake of having sex as well as have sex because we care. Animals have sex to reproduce and assert power. While we have sex for the same reasons, there is another dimension to it. We're 'superior' because we have the capacity to care for others. Whether love is a weakness or a strength is left to whomever views it.

Mating rituals are essentially the same, but you can win a mate through love and compassion as well as strength and beauty. The love part is what makes us difference.

[CaptainObvious]

My opinon on this is: I hate humanity...the world would be so much better off w/o us. I always say that we are God's only mistake.

Yes global warming is natural...climate change has happened a lot over the years that earth has been in existence.

I don't believe in Global Warming though....some parts are getting cooler....it is just basic climate change...but I think that our human actions are speeding it up...past its natural speed.

The overall warming trend of the planet will bring with it some localized cooling. If you knew anything about climate change, you'd know that.

~We're the only intelligent life on Earth~
And you happen to know that how, genius? Because we can speak, build and have opposing thumbs? How can you say that giraffes don't speak? Or that they haven't been to space, got bored, and decided to live a spiritual life on this planet?

That's just dumb. If giraffes speak, or have been to space, show me some proof. Otherwise I'll treat that possibility with the same amount of credibility I treat others with absolutely no proof - which is to say, none.

~We're the only intelligent life in space (heard it yesterday on National Geographic)~
Same as above. We have sent a probe to Mars, and suddenly, we know it all. Not to mention the "life support" phenomena. They say a planet doesn't support life because we couldn't live on it, and all the while, we have bacteria that live in volcanoes on or own planet... I wouldn't be surprised if we missed life forms on the Moon, because we were to narrow minded to see them.

To say we are the only intelligent life in space is an oversight. On the other hand, if you think there was no searching for microbial life on the moon, you again obviously have no idea what you're talking about.

~Human mating rituals~
To be able to procreate, or just have sex with a female/male, you have to go through a painful and lengthy process of flirting/seduction, etc. How is that any different from what animals do, to win mates? If we're so superior, shouldn't I be able to find a girl I like, and say "Hey, female, can I have sex with you?" ?

This makes absolutely no sense. Use your brain. Just because we are sentient doesn't mean we must bear no similarity to animals. Among other things, we are still products of evolution, and evolution strongly predisposes at least females to develop mating rituals, for reasons that are obvious if you think about them.

[Oblivion]

~Save the planet/nature~
You DO mean "save out own asses", right? Right! Why didn't you just say so? Don't worry, the planet will be fine if we happen to destroy ourselves. So will nature. Maybe there won't be any humans/polar bears/seagulls, but who cares? Even if bacteria are all that remains, it's still nature. I don't mind saving my own ass from global warming (or anything of the kind), but I won't pretend I'm doing it for the penguins. I'm doing it for my own selfish human ass, as are you.


This is the only one I strongly disagree with...
I want to stop global warming because not only do I care about humans, I actually do care about animals, and the earth. And as of now, what humans have done can't be reversed. As we keep going we are literally destroying nature and the earth. To answer the question midway through, if polar bear, or seagulls went extinct I would care a great deal for one. If humans went extinct, then well, obviously I would be dead. When people say they want to save nature they aren't talking about micro bacteria, that is 'nature', but rain forests, mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, water, plants in general, and the atmosphere.

You can't generalize everyone being so selfish- even if you admit you are.

[Picard]

As far as I know, we are. The definition of intelligent can be argued, but no other animals can communicate as well as we do
I assume you can prove that? They very well could, and we likely wouldn't even know it. As for the giraffes, I was joking, of course. Still, you can't prove me wrong. I was merely trying to point out how little we really know, and how much we think we know. A few centuries ago, people thought that the Earth was flat. They knew it. We make these claims based on what we 'know' (rather what we assume) and take them as facts. I think that's wrong. Let me demonstrate : I claim that elephants can communicate telepathically. Go on, prove otherwise. My assumption is as valid as yours, since neither of us can prove them.

There biggest difference between human mating and animal mating is love. Humans have sex for the sake of having sex as well as have sex because we care. Animals have sex to reproduce and assert power. While we have sex for the same reasons, there is another dimension to it. We're 'superior' because we have the capacity to care for others. Whether love is a weakness or a strength is left to whomever views it.

Mating rituals are essentially the same, but you can win a mate through love and compassion as well as strength and beauty. The love part is what makes us difference.
I disagree. Animals DO care for their young/mates. Simply observe them and you'll see.


You can't generalize everyone being so selfish- even if you admit you are.

And why would you possibly care about animals or the Earth? (I'm really asking for an explanation, I'm not taunting, or anything...

[Sapphire]

And why would you possibly care about animals or the Earth? (I'm really asking for an explanation, I'm not taunting, or anything...
How can you genuinely not care about animals?
If you are so devoid of emotion that you can't even comprehend that people really care for them, I pity you.

[ThatDude93]

The overall warming trend of the planet will bring with it some localized cooling. If you knew anything about climate change, you'd know that.


Yeah I do know that...it is as you said Climate Change.......the entire world isn't getting hotter. People are taking "global warming" too seriously.

The earth has endured many climate changes over its years.

[ThatDude93]

This is the only one I strongly disagree with...
I want to stop global warming because not only do I care about humans, I actually do care about animals, and the earth. And as of now, what humans have done can't be reversed. As we keep going we are literally destroying nature and the earth. To answer the question midway through, if polar bear, or seagulls went extinct I would care a great deal for one. If humans went extinct, then well, obviously I would be dead. When people say they want to save nature they aren't talking about micro bacteria, that is 'nature', but rain forests, mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, water, plants in general, and the atmosphere.

You can't generalize everyone being so selfish- even if you admit you are.

I know...double post

anyway I definitely agree with Cobalt here

[Oblivion]

And why would you possibly care about animals or the Earth? (I'm really asking for an explanation, I'm not taunting, or anything...
Are you honestly wondering why I would care about a living, breathing, animal that has a beating heart that is part of making this world work?
Are you sincerely lacking the human emotion that clicks in your mind, telling you when to love something other than yourself, and other humans?

Humans are born with a sense of sympathy when they see a hurt animal, or happiness when they see a newly flying bird fly out of a nest. its just natural human emotion. That is my explanation.
Yeah I do know that...it is as you said Climate Change.......the entire world isn't getting hotter. People are taking "global warming" too seriously.

The earth has endured many climate changes over its years.

Yes, the earth has endured many climate changes, but this one is happening much quicker than the natural world is intended to change.

Evidence to prove that Global Warming even exists is hard to find. The good news is that there is a good way to show Global Warming needs to end now; through scientific prediction. Scientists predict that by 2100, the average global temperature will rise 3.2-7.2° F, and the sea level will rise 7-23 in. This doesn't sound like much, but to put it into perspective, the last Ice Age was only about 9 degrees cooler. That means that by our life time, or maybe our children's lifetime, it could be as hot as it was cold in the depth of the last Ice Age. They also believe some gases, High Global Warming Potential Gases (sulfur hexafluoride, hyrdofluorocarbons, and perfluorocarbons), are on the rise. Also, since the Industrial Revolution, more common, but still dangerous gases have increased in the atmosphere; carbon dioxide has increased 36%, nitrous oxide has increased 18%, and methane has increased 148%. As these gases become more abundant in the atmosphere, the green house effect will become stronger, and the temperatures will rise even higher. A more obvious effect of Global Warming is the glacier population. For example, in 1910 there were 150 glaciers in Montana’s Glacier National Park, but since then, 123 of them have melted, leaving 27.

Disbelievers of Global Warming believe that it’s the normal temperature cycle, or even a government hoax. The small population of people who believe that Global Warming is a trick put on by the government are obviously delusional. They don’t trust the government, and choose to blame it on them, as a tactic to control and scare American citizens. A more compelling argument on their side is that Global Warming is simply a cycle of the world’s temperature. This, however, is also incorrect because the temperature is rising much faster than the regular cycle. The glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising much quicker than they have in the past, and many people don’t realize that.

[ThatDude93]

Are you honestly wondering why I would care about a living, breathing, animal that has a beating heart that is part of making this world work?
Are you sincerely lacking the human emotion that clicks in your mind, telling you when to love something other than yourself, and other humans?

Humans are born with a sense of sympathy when they see a hurt animal, or happiness when they see a newly flying bird fly out of a nest. its just natural human emotion. That is my explanation.


Yes, the earth has endured many climate changes, but this one is happening much quicker than the natural world is intended to change.

Evidence to prove that Global Warming even exists is hard to find. The good news is that there is a good way to show Global Warming needs to end now; through scientific prediction. Scientists predict that by 2100, the average global temperature will rise 3.2-7.2° F, and the sea level will rise 7-23 in. This doesn't sound like much, but to put it into perspective, the last Ice Age was only about 9 degrees cooler. That means that by our life time, or maybe our children's lifetime, it could be as hot as it was cold in the depth of the last Ice Age. They also believe some gases, High Global Warming Potential Gases (sulfur hexafluoride, hyrdofluorocarbons, and perfluorocarbons), are on the rise. Also, since the Industrial Revolution, more common, but still dangerous gases have increased in the atmosphere; carbon dioxide has increased 36%, nitrous oxide has increased 18%, and methane has increased 148%. As these gases become more abundant in the atmosphere, the green house effect will become stronger, and the temperatures will rise even higher. A more obvious effect of Global Warming is the glacier population. For example, in 1910 there were 150 glaciers in Montana’s Glacier National Park, but since then, 123 of them have melted, leaving 27.

Disbelievers of Global Warming believe that it’s the normal temperature cycle, or even a government hoax. The small population of people who believe that Global Warming is a trick put on by the government are obviously delusional. They don’t trust the government, and choose to blame it on them, as a tactic to control and scare American citizens. A more compelling argument on their side is that Global Warming is simply a cycle of the world’s temperature. This, however, is also incorrect because the temperature is rising much faster than the regular cycle. The glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising much quicker than they have in the past, and many people don’t realize that.


I guess when it all comes down too it..I believe in Global Warming...but I just prefer to call it Climate change. And yes this change is happening faster cause of human activity.

[Perseus]

(I think this going off topic, but oh well) People that say there is gw, say that hurricanes would get stronger after katrina but yet they havent really and the sun is getting hotter.

[Oblivion]

I dont think its getting off topic. Global Warming was one of the issues he wants discussed.

And its not the sun thats getting hotter-
The layer of greenhouse gases, that keep warmth in is getting thicker.
http://maps.grida.no/library/files/storage/greenhouse_effect.png
See? The heat goes into the earth's atmosphere, and doesnt radiate back out, like its supposed to. The earth traps the heat, and it warms up the earths average temperature quicker than normal climate change would.

[Perseus]

I cant see your pic because im on a psp lol so ill look at it later but i remmember hearing, "the sun is getting warmer because of increased sun spot activity."

[Antares]

Humanity
Halleljuah! (eventhough i still cant spell that :P)
Save the planet
Thats why I think we should colonize Mars asap! So then we can leave this sorry, resource poor piece of crap, Earth lol
Intelligence
Yea, this is annoying to me too. We have no way of knowing how many animals truly communicate. I understand why/how some people may think what they think but apart from Primates, there are super intelligent animals (in their interactions with humans)
The space one is rediculous too.
I would love to see how many people realistically believe that.
We must be OH so intelligent when we don't even know how big the frickin universe is and will never find out unless the speed of light is broken.
Mating
Well not all animals get to screw eachother. They have to compete and stuff just like we do. However, they don't screw for fun...they do it for a purpose...we should get back to our roots...

[alsoknownas]

wow thats one way of looking at thing.

Man we messed up so bad.

Well Britain has to go energy saving lightbulbs in 2010 or something.

god am I dreading that, they'll probably kill people, the bad light damages your eues they flicker and when they break mercury gass goes into the air which is poisonous.

then you look at China who are digging a hole in the ozone and do nothing.

Here come the energy saving light buld squad to show the world that Britain has the light (or lack of it due to mega weak bulbs)

[QUOTE=Saturn;421761][Intelligence
Yea, this is annoying to me too. We have no way of knowing how many animals truly communicate. I understand why/how some people may think what they think but apart from Primates, there are super intelligent animals (in their interactions with humans)
QUOTE]


Birds migrate south dont they.

Yea we do too, good old Sat-Nav:rolleyes:

[Hyper]

Hmm I think your views as of the moment are simply narrow minded themselves and just pessimistical

What you said is pretty much true and I liked the part about the giraffes but in reality its only partially so everything has a good and a bad side.. The same applies to people

[Jean Poutine]

~Human mating rituals~

Mating rituals originate from the need for the females to find the male that is most likely to bear offspring that will survive/make something of themselves.

It is still like that today. Mating rituals obviously need to stay, even notwithstanding love, but taking into account the basest level of instincts.

[CaptainObvious]

Mating rituals originate from the need for the females to find the male that is most likely to bear offspring that will survive/make something of themselves.

It is still like that today. Mating rituals obviously need to stay, even notwithstanding love, but taking into account the basest level of instincts.

Not just about survival, but also about continued companionship. In an antagonistic evolutionary sense, a female needs to ensure that a male she allows to mate with her will not just up and leave right afterwards. Thus mating rituals - to show commitment to a more stable relationship, which is a goal of females in an evolutionary sense.

[Jean Poutine]

Not just about survival, but also about continued companionship. In an antagonistic evolutionary sense, a female needs to ensure that a male she allows to mate with her will not just up and leave right afterwards. Thus mating rituals - to show commitment to a more stable relationship, which is a goal of females in an evolutionary sense.
Good point. I hadn't thought of that one.

With the divorce/break-up rates we have now, it doesn't seem like our rituals are working very well :<

[Sapphire]

With the divorce/break-up rates we have now, it doesn't seem like our rituals are working very well :<
That's because people are more inclined to base a relationship on sex, deceit, greed and/or stupidity rather than friendship and love.