Homo Sapiens: Most imperious of them all
Human beings are fascinating. We have some great abilities. In the little time, that modern man had to evolve, we have altered the course of the world like no one else before. Perhaps this is why we have an inflated image of self. For all our achievements, the accompanying arrogance is also second to none.
It is on display at all levels - individual, community, and our species as a whole. A group of human beings, if left to themselves, will soon find themselves at the center of the universe.
Let's talk about our property rights. While the Intellectual Property Rights have only recently come to the fore, they are still contested. However, we have somehow accepted the proposition that "land" can be owned. A piece of Earth, which has existed for over 4.5 billion years, is being owned by an organism from a species whose average lifespan is 79 years! A kid claiming the ownership of an ocean is less absurd. This sense of ownership comes from the collective arrogance we share - a worldview where human beings are at the center.
Another brilliant exhibit of anthropocentric thinking comes from the best of our lot - those fighting against environmental degradation. The important concerns are protecting earth from pollution, protecting earth from ozone depletion, protecting earth from global warming and so on. The common theme is apparent. It's protecting earth from anthropogenic disasters. Very well!
Here's the problem though. Planet Earth formed 4.6 billion years ago. Homo sapiens appeared 200,000 years ago. So we have been a part of Earth for 0.00004% of its existence. At least five major mass extinction events have taken place on Earth. There have been at least five major ice ages in the Earth's history. Mighty species have come and gone. But the earth has remained. If we believe that we are protecting the planet earth, it's honestly a laughable proposition. Under the arrogant garb of protecting the earth, our motive is to protect ourselves. Earth would do just fine even after another mass extinction event.
There's a lot more to the universe than us. Perhaps not letting spotlight effect take over would help us do better; both individually, and as a whole.
It is on display at all levels - individual, community, and our species as a whole. A group of human beings, if left to themselves, will soon find themselves at the center of the universe.
Let's talk about our property rights. While the Intellectual Property Rights have only recently come to the fore, they are still contested. However, we have somehow accepted the proposition that "land" can be owned. A piece of Earth, which has existed for over 4.5 billion years, is being owned by an organism from a species whose average lifespan is 79 years! A kid claiming the ownership of an ocean is less absurd. This sense of ownership comes from the collective arrogance we share - a worldview where human beings are at the center.
Another brilliant exhibit of anthropocentric thinking comes from the best of our lot - those fighting against environmental degradation. The important concerns are protecting earth from pollution, protecting earth from ozone depletion, protecting earth from global warming and so on. The common theme is apparent. It's protecting earth from anthropogenic disasters. Very well!
Here's the problem though. Planet Earth formed 4.6 billion years ago. Homo sapiens appeared 200,000 years ago. So we have been a part of Earth for 0.00004% of its existence. At least five major mass extinction events have taken place on Earth. There have been at least five major ice ages in the Earth's history. Mighty species have come and gone. But the earth has remained. If we believe that we are protecting the planet earth, it's honestly a laughable proposition. Under the arrogant garb of protecting the earth, our motive is to protect ourselves. Earth would do just fine even after another mass extinction event.
There's a lot more to the universe than us. Perhaps not letting spotlight effect take over would help us do better; both individually, and as a whole.
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