Mother Nature? Oh, please......

[Andy BB]

You've confused me now Andy. The human body is a self regulating super organism (think of all the bacteria we depend on to digest food) subject to both internal and external influences - but it doesn't mean it was designed that way.

Entropy doesn't imply design. But you ranked Gaia theory up there with lizard overlords. Which seemed a little harsh.

Ah - ok. So anything with more than one cell is therefore a "self-regulating super-organism"? Not sure exactly where that gets us! How do you go from there to a justification that all the various elements are working together in a co-operative basis? Fact is that the humans who developed a more effective use of intestinal bacteria lived to spread their genes more effectively than those who did not. The concept of the Earth as a self-regulating super-organism doesn't seem to be worknig at the moment though, seeing as the most effective way to protect 99.9999999999% of life on Earth would be to destroy humans!

Entropy certainly doesn't imply design - by its very definition it implies decay. However, in one area you're definitely right - I apologise profusely to those who believe most passionately, honestly and sincerely in Lizard Kings

 

[Bushwhacker]

If anybody doesn't know what anthropomorphism is, just find a woman who owns a horse.

 

[mountainm]

Ah - ok. So anything with more than one cell is therefore a "self-regulating super-organism"?

Potentially yes - why not? We have a very narrow viewpoint as far as the universe was concerned. If I was a being of galactic proportions a planet would resemble more of a single living thing than a collection of living things.

How do you go from there to a justification that all the various elements are working together in a co-operative basis? Fact is that the humans who developed a more effective use of intestinal bacteria lived to spread their genes more effectively than those who did not. The concept of the Earth as a self-regulating super-organism doesn't seem to be worknig at the moment though, seeing as the most effective way to protect 99.9999999999% of life on Earth would be to destroy humans!

Entropy certainly doesn't imply design - by its very definition it implies decay. However, in one area you're definitely right - I apologise profusely to those who believe most passionately, honestly and sincerely in Lizard Kings

Where have I ever implied cooperation between organisms happened? Co-existance and co-dependance isn't necessarily co-operation. Although nature is full of such relationships.

We're batting for the same team here Andy (Go team Lizard!) - just think it's good to be open minded about other peoples opinions.

Oh and I meant Extropy before - dang it.

 

[santaman2000]

Ah - ok. So anything with more than one cell is therefore a "self-regulating super-organism"? Not sure exactly where that gets us! How do you go from there to a justification that all the various elements are working together in a co-operative basis? Fact is that the humans who developed a more effective use of intestinal bacteria lived to spread their genes more effectively than those who did not. The concept of the Earth as a self-regulating super-organism doesn't seem to be worknig at the moment though, seeing as the most effective way to protect 99.9999999999% of life on Earth would be to destroy humans!....

So then the planets themselves are evolving? Perhaps humanity is just one of the particular organisms that will be destroyed (just as anti-bodies in our own body destroys harmful bacteria)

 

[santaman2000]

? Interesting twist of logic there bt! From disliking anthropomorphism to denial of responsibility for treating our fellow animals? Nice one.

So tell us - in the same vein - when did you stop beating your wife?

Like any wife beater they stop when the wife buys a gun.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

So what is the difference between an organism & a super organism.?...........................apart from a red cape & X-ray vision that is

 

[mountainm]

So what is the difference between an organism & a super organism.?...........................apart from a red cape & X-ray vision that is

Number of sub organisms therein? I dunno - I only made up the term a few posts ago...

 

[MartinK9]

From bambi to thumper in one short hop...

I see what you did there.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

What are your opinions on Pandas Andy ?

 

[mountainm]

What are your opinions on Pandas Andy ?

Pandas are the best animal to beat up....

 

[blacktimberwolf]

I dunno - I only made up the term a few posts ago...

..........................................

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Pandas are the best animal to beat up....

That will explain the black eyes

 

[mountainm]

That will explain the black eyes

... I'm here all night!...

 

[Andy BB]

So then the planets themselves are evolving? Perhaps humanity is just one of the particular organisms that will be destroyed (just as anti-bodies in our own body destroys harmful bacteria)

Thats actually an interesting proposition. However, evolutionary theory specifically states that it applies solely to individual species, and not in any "co-operative" manner with other species (and potentially even its own). To the extent that if a predator suddenly evolved into a super-predator through a particular successful mutation in the evolutionary arms race, it could ultimately destroy its own species through starvation if its prey species did not evolve quickly enough and were hunted to extinction. THe rule is to be better than its peers, so that its genes survive to the next generation.

 

[Andy BB]

What are your opinions on Pandas Andy ?

Supposed to be quite tasty!

Apart from that, a bit of an evolutionary dead-end. evolved to survive very successfully on a limited diet, but in doing so lost the ability to survive if anything changed in their environment. Which it has.

 

[woodspirits]

so whats all this got to do with wrapping a bone up for your dog at christmas? i said this would turn nasty...

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Apart from that, a bit of an evolutionary dead-end. evolved to survive very successfully on a limited diet, but in doing so lost the ability to survive if anything changed in their environment. Which it has.

Thought you'd say that.....see post 57................so if a species becomes endangered through human activity, it's the fault of evolution.?........Pandas have already 'evolved ' & adapted to an enviromental change when they turned from being carnivores into Bamboo eaters which is pretty impressive in evolutionary terms but no species can survive the rapid destruction of it's habitat..........not even man.
I'm sure the millions of people who have died & will continue to die of famine because they couldn't adapt quick enough to the change in their enviroment , will be comforted to learn that have come to an evolutionary dead-end.

 

[Karl82]

Zzzzzzz sorry got board reading this thread ill get my coat. Zzzzzzz


Sent from my Baobab Tree.

 

[Squidders]

What an amazing thread... I am glad I am not part of it...

Oh noes, too late!

 

[blacktimberwolf]

so whats all this got to do with wrapping a bone up for your dog at christmas? ..

Everything,............if you wrap it up in christmas paper then you're just an over emotional Anthropomorphist but if you use plain brown paper then you're one of the chosen few who realises that your dog is nothing more than a biological entity made from stardust.