Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Michael M who wrote (51764)	8/16/1999 10:52:00 PM
From: E	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

Off the top of my head, I see that since you wrote "important" species, you sort of answered it; or at least suggested an answer. Also, the definition of "extraordinary efforts" is very elastic. So the topic will be hard to discuss concretely. When I read the figure of how many species are disappearing, it makes me feel a sort of horror. So that is my prejudice. But when you talk about a specific repercussion that a specific decision would have, it gets hard again. I think the question would probably elicit more information by asking less. You could ask "How bad do you feel about species disappearing?" And then ask follow up questions about priorities, values, specific examples, that sort of thing. It seems to me.

To: Michael M who wrote (51764)	8/16/1999 11:45:00 PM
From: Jacques Chitte	Respond to of 108807

Yes. It's great PR for treating wild things as perhaps of value.

To: Michael M who wrote (51764)	8/17/1999 12:26:00 AM
From: Dayuhan	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

If a few remaining members of a distinct and important species are discovered, should man intervene with extraordinary efforts to preserve the species? If the question is of interest, you may answer yes, no, maybe or elaborate. As E pointed out, a hard one to answer. Important to whom? In what way? What sort of extraordinary effort? At what direct and indirect cost? With what probability of success? All of these and more would have to be considered before arriving at an opinion on any given case. I am more concerned with the large scale destruction of certain types of habitat (e.g. rainforest, coral reef) than with the loss of individual species, though the latter is often a consequence of the former. Also with the problem of persistent (non-degrading and bioconcentrating) pollutants discharged in ways that make entry to the food chain inevitable. There are very real environmental issues. Unfortunately the movement is very much emotion-driven, and the real issues often take a back seat to more emotionally appealing ones.

To: Michael M who wrote (51764)	8/17/1999 12:29:00 AM
From: Krowbar	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 108807

This sounds like a "trap" question, but I'll go ahead anyway. It would depend on whether the species going extinct was doing so because of man's actions, or not. Since there would probably not be enough time to determine that for sure, I would probably say use reasonable means to save the species. How do you determine if that species is important? BTW, how come we can never make mosquitos, or chiggers extinct? Del

To: Michael M who wrote (51764)	8/18/1999 9:54:00 PM
From: nihil	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

Nature both creates and destroys species. No species is either good or bad except from the point of view of mankind's selfish interest. No species has a purpose or a reason for existence. If mankind cares to keep a few pets from a vanished species (like smallpox) and will pay the bill, that's okay. But most species (like hummingbirds and butterflies) have at most an aesthetic value rather than a moral value to mankind. Would you preserve a biting fly or the last Vermeer with your wealth? One might as well argue that mankind should go to vast expense to save a vanishing culture or a unique human being. Any species or individual so maladaptive that it cannot survive by its own efforts or so attractive that it gains an advocate will probably not be missed. I like wolves, and tigers, and whales and will spend a bit to look at them. I don't give a damn for rats and flies and mosquitoes.