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Wednesday, April 05, 2006
University professor declares Earth would be better off with 90 percent of humans dead; just another day on campus But a University of Texas professor, Eric Pianka, has aimed to outdo them all by declaring that the Earth would be better off with 90 percent of the human population dead. If you’re looking for a surefire attention-getter, it’s pretty hard to beat that kind of subject matter. It’s all part of a presentation he makes that he calls his “doomsday talk,” during which he outlines humanity’s ecological misdeeds and makes predictions about how nature, or humans themselves, will exterminate all but a fraction of civilization. “We’ve grown fat, apathetic and miserable,” he said recently during a presentation at St. Edwards University in Austin. In his estimation, the earth’s 6.5 billion humans, who are turning the planet into “fat human biomass,” is way too many and he believes civilization is on the brink of its downfall. “The biggest enemy we face is anthropocentrism,” he said, describing the belief system in which humans are the central element of the universe. Apparently the good professor doesn’t personally buy into that concept, but if humans aren’t the central element of the universe, then, in Pianka’s mind, what is? Presumably, some idealized ecological balance of perfect nature, minus the presence and the immoral depredations of humans. Pianka maintains he’s not campaigning for a 90 percent reduction of mankind, he just thinks it’s inevitable and perhaps deserved. How will it occur? “Disease will control the scourge of humanity,” he said. “We’re looking forward to a huge collapse.” Nonetheless, Pianka said at his presentation that “this is really an exciting time.” Well, sure, who doesn’t look forward to a massive civilizational collapse that could take what’s left of humanity back to the Stone Age? Pianka likens mankind’s story to an unbridled party on a luxury cruise liner. The fun’s going strong on the upper deck, but as the crowds unconcernedly engage in their festivities, they fail to notice the ship is sinking. Yep, that’s the story of mankind, alright. Maybe you thought it had been an epochs-long struggle for survival and advancement? Forget about it. It’s just been one long uninterrupted hedonistic party from beginning to end — Homo sapiens gone wild. But the party’s soon coming to an end and Pianka urges humanity to heed his call to be prepared, saying “we’re going to be hunters and gatherers again real soon.” Really? Hunters and gatherers? Let’s face it. Doomsday scenarios are a dime a dozen. Remember Y2K? Did the lights go out, did planes fall out of the sky, did civilization grind to a halt? Call me crazy, but I’m going to take my chances and not spend the upcoming years in training to become Paleolithic man. Greg Strange provides conservative commentary with plenty of acerbic wit on the people, politics, events and absurdities of our time. See more at his website: http://www.greg-strange.com/ Blogger News Network is advertiser-supported, and your visits to our advertisers help BNN to meet its expenses. Help keep us afloat! posted by Greg Strange at 6:51 AM |
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2 Comments:
Several years ago, I concluded that a 95% reduction in human population would return it to a sustainable and enjoyable level. I think 90% is insuffient. For decades, I have fantasized about this process at least beginning in my lifetime, and would love to see a non-human environment re-establish areas currently blighted by humanity.
Sounds great, solongago. You first.
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