Make no mistake; humans will go extinct. All species do and ours will be no different. The only difference is how it will happen. Other species didn’t assist in their own extinction. Will humans go extinct in the near term? With abrupt, cataclysmic climate change entering the fray, there is a better than good chance that we will exist no more, sooner than expected.
My question however is, who the hell cares?
My intent with this question is not to be apathetic. I don’t want humans to go extinct, but I don’t care if we do. I have zero attachment to the inevitable outcome. It’s only a matter of time. Whether that time is near-term or long-term makes no difference. What ultimately matters to me is how we go extinct.
If we continue on our current path of infinite economic growth on a finite resource planet then I say the sooner we go the better. If however, we have a miraculous paradigm shift and dismantle the industrial model then my attitude will change dramatically. I’m not holding my breath. The reason being; most folks can’t even fathom such a shift and therefore will never consider it.
Besides, many of us love this way of life that’s killing us along with everything else.
This leaves most of us in a tizzy. We only know one way to live and unfortunately, that way is going to kill us rather quickly. Again, I don’t care about our extinction. I care about suffering. If we can ease suffering along the roads toward extinction then I’m on board. At this point, human extinction is the quickest route that I can see to ease the suffering of all species. There will be immense suffering on the road to our extinction, but it will be better for everyone and everything in the long term. Fewer species will suffer and more species will survive the sooner we go extinct. The only sadness I have is for those who have lived outside of our deranged living arrangement not contributing to it themselves.
What’s generally ignored is the suffering brought upon non-human species in the name of human comfort and convenience.
What’s also ignored is the alarming rate of species extinction chalked up to human progress. Apparently, we don’t think other species support life; including our own lives.
I care about the extinction of other species because they play a vital role in the living planet. We do not. When we removed ourselves from the circle of life we became linear. Consequently, removed from the symbiotic relationship with other life, we created our own end to that line. I care about life. I don’t care to take life for convenience and comfort. Treason to human progress is loyalty to life. Unfortunately, our loyalty is tragically misplaced.
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I agree with what you are saying. I wish humanity comes to its’ senses very quickly or all the large animals on this planet will to extinct at the cost of mankind. The planet will become so polluted that the streams and lakes will not able to sustain life. I am a realist, and I do agree humanity is not showing the necessary signs of changing. We probably won’t until it’s too late.
I’m with you (and with Guy) Mike. I have a question for you… Let’s just play with the idea that there is still time. I read some time ago that people (singly or collectively) will only change direction either if their current way becomes too painful or if someone shows them a more attractive way. If that is so, has anyone ever tried to articulate a clear vision of a more attractive way? Presumably not, or we would already be following it simply because it is more attractive. In the absence of such a vision, humanity will continue down the… Read more »
You are correct sir…that is our predicament. Thanks for the comment and question.
I think this way, too. It would be helpful if we went extinct sooner rather than later. Though I also feel that it is not our fault. This may be the first extinction to be caused by a thought. Somewhere along the line, one group of humans had the thought that they were above and in control of nature. That group conquered all other cultures over thousands of years, the native Americans being a most recent example. Who knew that a belief that goes against nature could act like a cancer spreading and swallowing everything in its path? Over time,… Read more »
Thanks for the very thoughtful comment. Domestication was a dead end for many of us.
Mike, I think this is a good thought experiment to imagine human extinction. I agree that all species (and all planets for that matter) eventually become extinct. But the questions are how and when and why. Humans lived in reasonably good balance with the other creatures during most of our 200,000 year history until about 6,000 years ago when traumatic climate changes set us on a path of “civilization.” Our mind-set changed from one of trusting our connection to the earth and what it provided (Daniel Quinn called us “Leavers.”) to exploiting the earth and its creatures (We became “Takers.”).… Read more »
Thanks for the thoughtful post Jed. I don’t see enough evidence of a shift in thought within our current situation. That doesn’t mean I support inaction or sitting around or even contributions to our demise. In fact, it’s my belief that acceptance of our current cur stance liberates one to do and try anything. Once one let’s go of “saving” civilization or even civilized humanity it becomes crystal clear what our path requires. Moving towards the exit of a living arrangement that has no actual exit is in fact liberating. Chasing a different carrot is a difficult shift because it… Read more »
Mike, You say, “I don’t see enough evidence of a shift in thought within our current situation.” Its good to remember that no matter how enlightened we are, the majority of the media is owned by corporate interests and what isn’t is often under the sway of their point of view. As a result we don’t generally see all the good that is going on in the world and the people and organizations that are coming together for change. What we saw at Standing Rock may be one of the most hopeful signs, but they have been there all along.… Read more »
I tell people to sit in a mall and just watch people. Most in western cultures are trying to gain status, maintain status or stay above water. I travel a fair amount and those who live in poverty seem most happy with less stress. The way I see it (and I’m not enlightened) is that civilization is the water and we are the fish. A shift in my estimation requires at least a sense of something else. I don’t see or feel that with enough folks. Standing Rock was amazing but it never questioned industrial civ only one tool of… Read more »
I think about the inevitability of human extinction, but I can’t see it. I can only see a future where a few elite of the human race make it to another planet, and leave the rest to try to survive in a dying Earth. The more I hear about today’s ‘though leaders’ and ‘futurists’ the more it sounds like the plan is to look for a way to live on Mars; the moon even. This immediately begs the question: Who gets to leave a dying Earth and join the Human 2.0 frontier civilizations? You can bet it will mostly be… Read more »
Great question. I think there’s a reason we haven’t come across any other “intelligent” life forms. Civilizations tend to become too efficient in our consumption and it eventually out paces our ability to create or develop new frontiers in space. See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons's_paradox
This is the most fatalistic piece I’ve read in a while. Sounds like you’d be full of despair if not for your numb resignation to our current trajectory.
One question though. Let’s say we as a species are pretty well doomed as you say, in your opinion isn’t it possible for the more savvy survivalists to go underground and eke out an existence with air filters, water filters, greenhouse gardens etc, to weather the coming storms and adapt, even learn to thrive in the new normal, come what may?
(My God, even writing that felt bleak and post-apocalyptic…)
If there’s no habitat (indefinitely) from climate change (temperature rise) then holding up in a hole only lasts for so long. Besides, no one (person) will know when we go extinct. In the end if a few are living underground then it’s more or less mission accomplished. Thanks for the question!
Consider the resources that your troglodyte colony would need to sustain itself: manufacturing (someone has to make the air filters, water filters etc and service them; someone has to make textiles for clothing (from what?) for example. And what would be their energy source? “greenhouse gardens” need huge quantities of electricity. No hospitals, no pharmaceuticals, no gas… I think it’s a non-starter!
As for Mike’s “numb resignation to our current trajectory” – nobody, as far as I know, has ever articulated a more attractive alternative. Sad, that. Very sad.
Actually, the majority of people do other species have a right to life. This is just some psychological projection of yours. Except that you, as a progressive, do not believe that humanity has a right to life. Especially if they’re of a certain background. This is clearly apparent in your alignment with social justice, (anti-white) “white privilege” views. Those like yourself have a deep disdain for most people, especially those who can be grouped as low-income whites. Sorry, but in 2017 (and beyond), thinly-veiled (and purposefully divisive) racial politics has no power over the minds of those of all colors… Read more »
I love white folks. I’m a white person. My closest friends are white. My entire family is white. I’ve learned a great deal from white folks. What I don’t like is a dysfunctional loyalty to the power of whiteness. When one can move beyond this dysfunction I like them even more. Most don’t but that doesn’t mean I don’t like or even love them. Criticism comes from a place of love and responsibility. You should try it.