BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?

Subject: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 05:03 PM

As folks were having fun and being downright silly, as some mudcatters are apt to be, on the Men as the Dominant Species thread, it occurred to m that a more interesting question might be this one. So I shall be waiting with bated breath to see what sort of interesting comments or utter nonsense our erudite, and not so erudite persons, can make of this.

To a plea this morning about raccoons in a friend's garbage, my response was that raccoons are the ascendant species and if humans are not clever enough to keep them out of their garbage....

There is also some belief that dolphins may be the next dominant species - if we do not kill them off along with ourselves. They communicate over the miles, care for one another and mind their own business unless they are threatened - then they join together to protect the family group.

Well, that is my take on it anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Bobert
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 05:10 PM

Yeah, we got guns...

B;~)

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 05:11 PM

Well, I have two members of the 'ascendant species' who are about to get transported to an area many miles from here. I don't think they're all that ascendant though, not wearing those outta date Daniel Boone/Davy Crockett hats.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 05:40 PM

I won't credit for making this up. I heard a comedian point out this one thing.

Look at dogs and people. Which species follows the other around with a plastic and picks up fresh turds?

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 05:59 PM

Here in Lower Coke, a case can be made that the Dornier Mosquitos are dominant. I think they'd even give the Maple Leaf Moosequitos a run for their money.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 06:47 PM

Which species follows the other around with a plastic BAG and picks up fresh turds?

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Janie
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 07:49 PM

For the present, perhaps, and of course depending on what one means by dominant.

Apparently, so were the dinosaurs.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 08:15 PM

Dominant?

"Humans are the only animal that blushes ... or needs to."

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Ed T
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 08:20 PM

Bacteria is everywhere and will likely be around beyond humans.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: olddude
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 08:22 PM

Chongo is, he is fer gun carrying, I going over to the dark side Bobster

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Don Firth
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 08:26 PM

I think I have to go along with Douglas Adams (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy). Human beans think they're the dominant, most intelligent species. And dolphins thing they are, because they didn't invent war, digital watches, cell phones, or politics.

But they're both wrong. It's mice.

Mice are conducting all kinds of experiments on human beings in laboratories all over the world, but they have the humans convinced that they are the ones who are conducting the experiments!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: gnu
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 08:44 PM

Of course. The proof is in front of your eyes at this very instant.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 10:26 PM

One rat to another in a lab cage... "I've got him trained. Every time I ring this bell, he gives me something to eat!"

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 12:11 AM

Humans could not survive without insects...
but insects would do just fine without humans.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 03:29 AM

It's insects, cockroaches in particular.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Stu
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 03:59 AM

No.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 04:14 AM

And cockroaches don't play banjos!

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 04:48 AM

David C, thanks for that, just goes to prove there's good in everything if only you look hard enough :-)


As for humans being a dominant species, don't fancy anyones chances with a tiger/rhino/hippo/bull etc unless their armed with something quite powerful and even then it's not guaranteed.

Dominance therefore has to be qualified.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Will Fly
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 04:54 AM

And cockroaches don't play banjos!

Huh - thing again...

Cockroach playing banjo...

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: gnu
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 05:20 AM

"Dominance therefore has to be qualified."

I am qualified. My old man qualified me when I was five years old. No bull. Besides, if tigers were dominant, there would be more of them.

Insects? There ain't none in my house (for long) that I don't allow. I didn't make the boron but one of my fellow humans did.

Germs? I understand they outnumber us in multiples of billions. They haven't knocked us off yet so what are they, just lazy?

Next, someone will say sharks. Shark steaks are $4.99 a pound at Sobeys.

Are humans dominant? Just ask Granny Dom.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 06:20 AM

Humans are having a dominant, and often detrimental, effect on the biosphere at this point in the history of Planet Earth. Some humans call this "progress" - but there's a strong element of greed involved.

In about 1 million years time it should be possible to answer the question: "How progressive was the species H. sapiens and how could it have interacted with the biosphere in a more constructive manner?"

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 06:30 AM

My poem "A Good Life" - http://walkaboutsverse.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/walkaboutsverse-95-of-230.html

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 07:16 AM

In my view, the most dominant species would be that which is most able to adapt/evolve to thrive as the environment changes. This probably counts humans out now as we are over-reliant on technology (in the widest sense of the word, including medicine) to change the environment in order to thrive/survive. Take away the technology, we are left with what is a weak specias.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: gnu
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 08:36 AM

"Take away the technology, we are left with what is a weak specias."

Ahhh... we've been here for a long time, adapted and evolved far above and beyond any others and we ain't goin nowhere... not ALL of us, anyway.

Seems there are a lot of us that just ain't "team players".

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 08:56 AM

So what's so great about this "dominance" crap?????

Shouldn't the question be "what species (note the plural) play best together?"

Are we (humans) in the right game, or are some other species (another plural) winning a different game that really matters more than the crapshoot we seem so obsessed with?

And do we even know what the game is that we're in?

Does someone (or if you like, some thing) else really have to lose for us to win "our game?"

John

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 09:11 AM

It was only a joke!

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 10:05 AM

You mean they didn't have a banjo in the band?

John

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Musket
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 10:14 AM

Whatever the dominant species actually is, the REAL dominant species will be the predominant bacteria that use the "dominant" species for a host, allowing them to live...

Possibly belly button fluff...

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 10:36 AM

We humans I guess see ourselves as the domininant species... but we are only that if we are allowed to be!... If you don't believe me.. climb in the cage with a lion/Tiger/Leopard/Hyena etc etc and tell it not to attack you! Dominance is an illusion we believe in.... Yes, as a whole our species can control most things eventually, because we have the capacity to.... but IMHO the world is changing, the temperatures are changing, nature is rapidly changing, food is diminishing slowly....and there are other species fitter than we are to survive the changes.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 10:38 AM

Are human beings the only species that cares whether they are the dominant species?

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 10:51 AM

Yeah humans right, so dominant we've fucked up the planet, we won't survive, but the cockroaches will.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: olddude
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 10:52 AM

earth worms I mean ever see that movie about the "spice" and giant sand worms whatever it was called ..

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 10:55 AM

And David C Carter, your paragon of dominance is the ability to play the banjo ?

[ and if I say Albert Einstein and Jesus didn't play the banjo, some clever twat will come up with a picture to prove me wrong ]

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 10:56 AM

Dune.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 10:59 AM

Close.

Dune's for Dan and dats for Dave.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 11:05 AM

Well played 999

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Stu
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 11:35 AM

"adapted and evolved far above and beyond any others"

Simply not true. In fact, we are the last surviving representatives of what was once a tree with far more branches as there were quite a few species of humans. Take it back to the great apes, and there are only four extant genera left (humans, chimps inc.bonobos, gorillas, orang-utans); hardly an evolutionary success story.

We're not even old as a species, and in the time we've existed have managed to fuck the planet up with our arrogance and inability to curb our destructive instincts. Heck, even though we know we're doing it we still can't help ourselves, which is deeply pathetic. We're an evolutionary blip, as evolution is about equilibrium and when the equilibrium is upset, the big guys go first (as they are already doing). We're equilibrium-fuckers writ large, probably the only thing as a species we're good at.

So what is dominant? You can't single out a solitary species, but bacteria and fungi pretty much rule the roost, so show some respect and bow down to their utter superiority!

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 11:52 AM

It's not like we ain't been told.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Amos
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 11:57 AM

People climb into cages with lions and tigers and tell them not to attack all the time. They're called circus acts.

Dominant means we can round up other species and put them where we want them -- cattle pens, Sea World, research laboratories. It also means we can eat them if we choose and can avoid being eaten by them. I doubt you've ever seen a grizzly wearing a human-skin hat, eh?

This does not mean we are doing the best job of it--someone once said that if Gaia is a single organism, and humans are its thinking organ, the organism is neurotic at best. But dominant, absolutely we are. Just check theprice of swordfish at your local supermarket.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: GUEST,Sugarfoot jack
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 12:49 PM

But dominance implies control, and we're not in control. We can't stop ourselves consuming and destroying, we are incapable. Just because we can kill something does't make us dominant, if we ignore the consequences as they are understood it makes us dickheads.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 01:49 PM

I'd put my money on the viruses. They use the DNA of the host, so 'become' part of the cell itself. They mutate alarmingly fast, and are hard to combat simply because they're actually part of the cell. Anything which 'kills' them kills the host too. Immunity/vaccination become useless if a new or changed virus appears. In certain conditions, a 'new' virus could quite literally wipe out almost all humanity. There will always be some survivors, but what sort of life will they have, with the entire infrastructure of civilisation non-functioning?

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 01:57 PM

They'll have to speak with the lions and tigers about that.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 03:19 PM

As far as I know, the worst virus has a kill rate of less than 30%. Spanish Flu was in the low 20's. the black plague below 30%. Wouldn't that make antibodies and the bodies that produce them more dominant?

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 03:21 PM

But looking at the definition of the word dominant... Ya gotta go with people, since people are the only species to domesticate or cage any other critter larger than an aphid.

dom·i·nant
   [dom-uh-nuhnt] Show IPA
adjective
1.
ruling, governing, or controlling; having or exerting authority or influence: dominant in the chain of command.
2.
occupying or being in a commanding or elevated position.
3.
predominant; main; major; chief: Corn is the dominant crop of Iowa.
4.
Genetics . of or pertaining to a dominant.
5.
Music . pertaining to or based on the dominant: the dominant chord.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 03:35 PM

"As far as I know, the worst virus has a kill rate of less than 30%."

The ebola virus is higher as far as I know--that is, 65% of people who get the infection die as a result. However, it doesn't spread as rapidly as things like Spanish Flu and it usually causes death within 10 or so days. Spanish Flu was much faster than that.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Amos
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 03:48 PM

Ebola may have a high kill rate where it infects, but it doesn't dominate us as a species. And we're on the path to a remedy, using brainpower--which is how we rose up the food chain in the first place. I think the question is self-evident.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 03:52 PM

That is still 65% of those infected. What about of those exposed? Resistant people to most viral diseases often have no symptoms.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 04:00 PM

"What about of those exposed?"

Fucked if I know.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Jeri
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 06:57 PM

Having worked in public health for 22 years and watched and read a lot of science fiction, if one species kills their hosts/food source, they die. Virility... er, virulence, is not what makes a species dominant. It's the ability to outlive the competition, and then keep going... except that's not dominance, that's some other "...ance/...ence". Dominance would be the ability to kick other species' asses (or the figurative equivalent of figurative asses) and make them their bitches. Cockroaches are pretty good at that, and while I'm not sure, I don't think they even try very hard.

It's not about intelligence or skill, but resilience, persistence, and the ability have up to 60 offspring per egg-laying session, with three sessions per mating. If we could have 180 kids every time we had sex... Now that I think about it, 1) if we did that, we probably wouldn't last long as a species; 2) talk shows would get really monotonous; 3) wouldn't "The Roach People" make a great horror novel?

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 08:20 PM

Dominance is a short term proposition. Survival of a species is a longterm proposition.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: olddude
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 09:07 PM

OK but what about all the outer space visitors we read about with the gray skin and big eyes and stuff ... Word on the street is they eat humans for desert after they do all their perverted sex experiments...

well that's what I heard anyway ...

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 09:15 PM

The roaches will inherit the earth!

I think I co-authored a song about that some 40 years ago. Anyone care to see the lyrics?

Charley Nobles

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Janie
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 09:25 PM

Well, there are obviously many paths to follow when thinking about dominance and how to define the term.

Short term or long term?

Then have fun defining short term and long term.

Thinking is interesting!

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 12:09 AM

For Olddude

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: olddude
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 09:48 AM

Jack
   LOL outstanding

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 10:32 AM

I play the banjo,5 string.It's awful!My lady love bought it for a birthday.She regrets having done so,poor girl!

To Dave Hanson,Dylan reckons that Einstein played the electric voilin,and went round sniffing drainpipes!As for Jesus,I dunno!

Guest 999,B,What happened to that crazy song you sent me?Did you finish it?

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 10:47 AM

Clever bugger that Einstein, although I think he was a bit early for electric instruments.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 11:46 AM

His hair does look like he's stuck his finger in the light socket.

David

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 01:11 PM

"Clever bugger that Einstein, although I think he was a bit early for electric instruments."

Relativitally speaking I dare say.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Bert
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 06:41 PM

The dominant species came here from outer space many thousands of years ago. They enslaved us and make us feed and house them even though they barely tolerate us.

They are called CATS.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 04:37 PM

So true!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, adrift in Chicago

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: banjoman
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 06:40 AM

The dominant species?
WOMEN - alas for our household

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 08:17 AM

If someone invents a dildo that can buy a round of drinks men will be totally redundant.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 11:41 AM

I believe that Mitt Romney can buy the whole bar.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 04:20 PM

I'm reading at the moment a very interesting book called 'Epidemic' by Dr Robert Baker, a consultant in microbiology at King's College Hospital in London. As I understand it (it's a very 'scientific' book, and I'm not that brainy!)) IF a virus jumped from animal-to-human, as with prions (BSE) and avian flu, it would be an entirely new threat which our immune systems had never encountered before. A second threat is the development of resistant bacteria which no known antibiotic can defeat, eg MRSA. Thirdly, a hostile country could artificially develop a virus or bacterium which had no remedy and caused invariably fatal results. A tiny quantity of Botulinum toxin (from a common bacterium) could wipe out the entire population of the Earth. I realise humans would be the active vectors, but these microscopic beasties really do have the potential to do away with us. Whether that makes them the 'dominant species' is a matter of opinion. It's all very fascinating though.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: gnu
Date: 06 Aug 12 - 05:45 AM

Take THAT cock-a-roaches!

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Bert
Date: 06 Aug 12 - 03:20 PM

Maybe cockroaches are what Curiosity is going to find up there.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 06 Aug 12 - 03:27 PM

A few orders lower than that I dare say.

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 06 Aug 12 - 05:41 PM

Amos said, in part:

if Gaia is a single organism, . . .

Gaia, unfortunately, has a cancer, and may well die of it. It's called h. sapiens [sic].

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Are Humans the dominant Species?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 06 Aug 12 - 05:48 PM

Charley Noble, as to The roaches will inherit the earth!, the roaches were here and figuratively omnipresent LONG before humanity came along, and bid fair to be that way long after!

Dave Oesterreich