:: Um... I believe it was you who brought up the subject of dictionary definitions, not me. I wanted to know (way, way back) how exactly you perceived humans to be superior to all other species. You told me to look in a dictionary. I did.Yeah, I did too. Man is superior to animals by dictionary definition. Man makes up the word so he ends superior by definition and by example. The example is that he makes up words and animals don't.
:: My issue with you is your unqualified assumption that humans are superior IN AN OVERALL SENSE to all other species. I don't see how you can assert that, how can you come to that conclusion?
I'm not surprised that you can't see this. Your hatred of your own species is clouding the facts in this case.
:: I mean, I get it when someone says a seal is a superior swimmer, or that a spider is a superior web-spinner. By that token, I'll grant that humans have superior manual dexterity, and that they have superior motor vehicle operating skills. I won't say humans are superior because they can adapt to various environmental situations (your and Red's example) for two reasons:
:: 1) I personally (and most other humans, I'll wager) am incapable of adapting to these environments using only my own skills.
Unwilling perhaps. Humans have a superior ability to aquire skills quickly if pressed to do so. Their superior communication skills facilitate this effort. It's called literacy. I'm not aware of scorpian libraries.
:: I rely on others to pump heat into my home. I rely on others to design and manufacture my thermal underwear. I rely on others to provide me with electricity and tools to prepare my food, and furthermore I rely on others to grow and ship me the food I must consume.
That's called specialization. You'll note that terms such as thermal, electricity, prepare, and ship are not generally thrown about in the animal kingdom. Human specialization is quite superior to anything demonstrated by the animal kingdom - of which we are king.
:: MOST PEOPLE are not superior in the sense of being independently adaptable. MOST PEOPLE cannot grow their own food or provide sufficient heat and cooking power, or raw materials for clothing etc... A scorpion is a superior dessert survivor, not an arctic survivor.
Not if I step out of my air conditioned Caddy and squash him he's not.
Think about that before you assume it is only a snide retort. I didn't say I wanted to squash him, only that I can. The Caddy, the airconditioning, my authority, and the possible stain on the bottom of my beautifully crafted shoe all testify to man's superiority.
:: I'm neither. (Does this make me superior in an ALL-ENCOMPASSING sense? No. Does the scorpion get that title? No. Does any species? Not in my books. It's a ridiculous argument to make, and it wreaks of conceit and arrogance.
How 'bout your position wreaks of shame and guilt.
:: 2) Humans adapt well to many environments (because of accumulated, transferred technique, not because of individual adaptability) which they then promptly proced to destroy. Is it superiority that allows us to pollute our cities so that the air we breathe and the water we drink are poisonous? Is it superiority that allows us to destroy ecosystems and species all over the planet? Is it our superiority that makes us spray toxic chemicals on our foods to eliminate "pests", such that even conservative agriculture boards (interested in selling food, not eliminating poisons) publicly admits that 10% of our fresh produce contains harmful levels of pesticides? These are all environmental concerns that have been recognized by among the most conservative of organizations. I have left out those nightmares such as global warming and ozone depletion, since I know, despite thousands of studies and hundreds of scientists
What do we have here? 100 studies for every 1 scientist? I'm not trying to poke fun of you if you made a simple mistake. I'm only pointing out the exaggeration and misrepresentation tactics that the left employs in this arena. Thousands of studies, Kevin? Are you telling me there is no conflict within the scientific community regarding these issues. Your lying or are ignorant to suggest there is not.
:: representing the UN which concluded many years ago that the problems are all too real, you think it is hogwash.
I think the U.N. is hogwash and I wouldn't bet a plugged nickle on the veracity of their altruistic claims. If you want a better example of the capicity for depravity of a large administrative system, look no further than the U.N.
:: If proliferation and adaptability are signs of OVERALL SUPERIORITY, rats, zebra mussels, rabbits, cockroaches, and purple loosestrife have humans beat hands down.
Actually, you have to take a few million more things into account to determine overall superiority. When you do, you'll then have the proof you need.
:: You can laugh all you want Stuart, but you still haven't backed up your argument.
What else do you need?
Stuart Gort
