Are human beings a virus?

There was a scene in the first “Matrix” movie in which an “agent”/machine tells one of the main characters that human beings are a virus that destroys everything in an area and then moves on. Is that true? Maybe, maybe not. But given all of the acquired knowledge of history, it would seem that the unintended goal of humanity is self-destruction.

The never-ending constant throughout human history has been war. All wars profit the few and result in death, destruction, poverty and misery for the many. Among the overwhelming emotions of human beings are lust, (often mistaken for love), and greed (often stated as “I want more”). Far too many of those who attain power are motivated by lust and greed. And let’s not forget the intoxicating effect of sheer, raw power.

So take a look at the reality produced over the thousands of years that humans have inhabited this planet. Can anyone doubt that those who lust for absolute power will kill thousands or millions without conscience or regret? And added to that, who can deny that we have fouled our air and water, and that we are well on the way to fouling our food supply?

Before this century ends, we might just make this planet unfit and uninhabitable for human life.

Looking at this bleak picture, here’s what I fail to comprehend. Those with the power to turn things around – the super rich, corporate executives, their bought and paid for politicians, the brain-dead MSM – consist of people. Don’t these people care about their own children and grandchildren? Can they really have a mindset that says “I’m for me, screw my descendents”? Are they really that inhumane or are they blinded by their own lust and greed? And how many of us would behave differently if we held their wealth and power?

So I come back to my original question. Are human beings a virus? And are we doomed to destroy ourselves?

IMO.

I would agree with Agent Smith.

Most people liked the movie for the pretty people and the pretty effects anyway...

"No, we are not a virus".

See, we have a choice.

I may as well go around promoting relationships or abstinence and then boinking everybody I can find... indeed, the number of people who tell me I need to get laid, I shall ring them up first and see if they'll do anything personally about their little complaints... then we'll see who truly is little... :spray:

--Bill Hicks

or real far-reaching effect.

We're destroying the planet, but are too stuck trying to please the powerful few, to do anything substantive about it.

It's hard not to see some kind of evolutionary "correction" for our collective cravenness....

the same fate as the dinosaurs. Then again, perhaps some more enlightened species will arise once we are no longer around to prevent it.

All life forms will tend to expand exponentially until constraints force them back. That isn't just a property of a virus.

We're a "surface nuisance" to planet Earth.

Gawd I miss him.

:evilgrin:

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W33HRc1A6c

Fasten your seatbelts!

:evilgrin:

next question.

There's a certain breed that sees disaster as opportunity. Only if they discover in a very personal way what their greed has led to will they change their ways. Unfortunately -- both for them and for us -- most of them will never get the chance.

I think about some of these people and wonder "How do they sleep at night?" Ironically, the thought keeps me awake while they're probably all sleeping like babies.

Virus: an ultramicroscopic (20 to 300 nm in diameter), metabolically inert, infectious agent that replicates only within the cells of living hosts, mainly bacteria, plants, and animals: composed of an RNA or DNA core, a protein coat, and, in more complex types, a surrounding envelope.

But people love to argue from ignorance.

Viruses need a host to replicate. Humans don't.

My Sustainable Development Prof at UWis used to say that one day Gaia would tire of us like a dogs with fleas, give a great shake and a sigh, and be rid of us.

:hippie:

We exercise sovereignty over our environment in a way other species certainly do not. But this is to the betterment of humanity. It's all a worldview question: is humanity the center of our concern, or not?

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:rofl:

but thanks Queenie!

:evilgrin:

:hi:

All animals increase their population as much as predators and food supply will allow them. And if there is nothing to stop them they will eat all of the food up and cause a famine. They will be starved back down to the available food supply.

Humans are simply smart enough to keep taking more and more resources. Humans are NOT smart enough to stop over breeding. Look at Africa.

I would say the never ending constant of humans throughout history is striving for a better life. Helping each other out. Art, music, science, etc. War is waged by people in power, not humanity.

Humanity is like children, we continue to evolve and evenutally war will not be tolerated unless in defense.
No, we are not a virus.

But we are PART of nature... and our nature is to expand and grow, like all life.


We're just better at it than other species.... and ultimately, that might be our undoing.