A-L

Okay, while watching a television show about biodiversity I was suddenly struck by a question. First off I found it interesting that all life species depend on one another, and that to eliminate one species ultimately would only play against the rest. Now for my question: If we (humans) were to simply die out, what effect would we have on the earth? Or on our other species? Because it seems that every other species plays a necessary role in nature-but where do humans fit into that role? Are we even important? And if not then why are we here? (please, refrain from making this a religious debate). It seems that all life forms are there for a specific reason, but I cannot see where humans fit in. I mean it seems (suddenly) that we as humans are completely unnecessary.

Neo

If the human race suddenly vanished, in about 10,000 years, there would be no trace left of human civilization. We only damage the vast majority of life, not contribute to it.

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Non Serviam

Relative to what?

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The Voodoo Shaman

Oh FFS! Am I going to have to smash your shit up with the cluebat?

Can you not understand that by living a seemingly pointless existence we automatically gain complete freedom and independence from the rules and regulations that other species are seemingly under by way of the forces of nature?

Why in the f-cuk would anyone want to live any other way if they didn't need to? And anyway, it's not just humans. Most primates and herbivores that are far too large for carnivores are not exactly food fodder for others and also have no purpose when it comes to natural social systems. We're just here because we are.

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Malone

Didn't History Channel or Discovery or one of those just do a lengthy special detailing this very question?

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velo

We are extremely important, and not important at all.

On one hand, our big brains and opposable thumbs have given us the power to modify our environment in significant and unalterable ways. We have already changed the evolutionary course of so many species and biomes that our influence will be felt for dozens of millenia, if not longer, even should we disappear tonight.

But we are also unimportant. Were we all to disappear in a great puff of smoke natural selection would instantly begin it's long, slow work again. The remaining creatures would find a balance and niche to live in. Some would die out, some would flourish.

No matter what, we are temporary. The human race will end at some point. We will either die out or be replaced. Whether tomorrow or in 100,000 years really doesn't matter.

The planet will find a balance. There is no guarantee that that balance will be good for us or even for life, but it will eventually settle into a place of relative stability. Well, that is until the next big change.

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JosephB

I know I'm important.

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A-L

Sure you are Joe The reason I posted it was because I saw that most other species contributed in some way or another and I didn't see how humans contributed, thus the question: If we don't contribute than why are we here? Saying that we are here because we are doesn't answer my question at all. Velo, I see what you are saying. Thanks.

Writ-with-Hand

In my opinion I would say Velo and Non make good points. I think from a biological stand point it is enough to say humans are without doubt a Keynote species because we have tremendous impact on our biomes. (Keep in mind humans because of our great intellects can and have contributed in positive ways to our natural environments - we even keep endangered species lists)

Asking anything to much further as to all the "whys" we are here, will inevitably lead to philosophical query if you ask me, which leads to various religious philosophies called theology.

Non Serviam

"Important" is one of those words that vary by context, like "large" or "old". (Large, old man -v- small, young star -- which is bigger and older?)

The question needs context before it can be answered, which is why I asked "relative to what?"

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The Backward OX

And we help to keep public lavatory walls clean by creating writing forums where all the dickwads can gather.

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Originally Posted by Wildcard
I view with distaste the excretions polluting this site, suffering when I read another by-product of the boredom of one with access to a computer and the internet. As I read I feel I am being defecated on, and cling to an idea that one day I may find solace in the words of one who takes pride in their work.

The Backward OX

Is that a W.C.Fields -v- Shirley Temple type of thing?

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Originally Posted by Wildcard
I view with distaste the excretions polluting this site, suffering when I read another by-product of the boredom of one with access to a computer and the internet. As I read I feel I am being defecated on, and cling to an idea that one day I may find solace in the words of one who takes pride in their work.

mi is happy

There would be disruption in the earths ecosystem I believe. Cows would rule the world, because their would be no more people to eat beef.

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Straylight

'Important' is a human concept. Not merely the word, but the concept as you're using it requires a higher consciousness to grasp and apply. For reference, observe the semantic debates occuring here as to the definition and relativity of the very word 'important'. Basically, by asking if we're important, you've just made us important, as without humanity the very concept of importance would be moot.

We don't have a 'place' within nature because we've practically submitted it to our will, we're the only species in the history of species to take ourselves completely out of the food chain. Other than other men, a non-primitive man in the modern age has nothing to fear from any other macroscopic animal life unless he chooses to disarm himself of the trappings of modern society.

Our big forebrain is our only survival mechanism, and without it we're the most pathetic species to grace mother Earth -- we have no natural armor, no natural weapons, shit-for-senses and we walk in an ungainly, upright fashion, exposing all our important bits to one simple swipe. We've transformed the world into our image by virtue of our brains -- which are by the way completely unique in the animal kingdom. That we even have leisure to postulate as to our own 'importance' in the grand order of things is all the proof you need of our importance. Neither deer nor dolphins nor white-backed gorillas have sufficient wherewithall (not to mention time of day) to sit around and ponder their own significance or lack thereof. That we do makes us unique, and that we are unique makes us important.

We could all die tomorrow and blink ten millenia into the future. All that we've created would be dust and remnants (although saying we'd leave no traces as did a poster above is underestimating us. Even the dinosaurs left fossils, and as a chemistry/metallurgy-enabled, tool-using species, a great deal more would survive us than our bones). That would not reduce our importance, as we were the first and probably only species that ever evolved to a point as to be able to have a concept of 'important/not important'.

That in itself makes us important. Cogito ergo sum, or something like that.

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JosephB

You are a very strange little man.

__________________
"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
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"I am really only interested in a fiction of miracles."
-- Flannery O'Connor