Quote from: FirstAscent on August 11, 2012, 02:14:56 AM

What is your point about the dodo bird? All I can imagine is, you think concern over species extinction is about aesthetics. Is that correct? Is it safe to assume that you don't understand ecosystem services, trophic cascades, coevolution, nutrient cycling, water quality, flood control, and so on?

Actually, it does go beyond aesthetics, of course that's a given. And no, I don't understand all of the nuances, specifics, and infinite interactions of all species in relation to all other species and their environment. All I'm trying to say is, if you're going to educate people, then do just that. Do not use the law to force it down their throats.

Unfortunately, that is what you appear to do. Your discussions are slanted in the direction of using force and coercion, if not outright violence, imprisonment, and death of another human being, if they don't respect the environment as much as you do. You will never convince anybody of anything good, if you wave a "gun" in their face (or get your disciples to do it for you).

This is what most governments do. They use the "religion" of "environmentalism" and science to manipulate less educated individuals into relinquishing their property. And for what? The elite? The few? The educated minority? The "perfect" ecosystem -which would be what exactly? Even you couldn't possible assume to know this (gives new meaning to hubris, if that's your claim).

It seems humans are being relegated to beasts of the field. Except that the educated aren't beasts, they're our masters. Weird how that happens. Sounds so last millennia. I thought we got over this slavery thing.