Ladas wrote:
Talya wrote:
I believe Diamondeye's argument is "in comparison to what?" Since humans are the only species that engages in any long range planning, one could make an argument that we are the best species at long range planning! However, that still doesn't mean we're good enough at it.
In my opinion, we don't need a comparison species to create an evaluation of ability... we need look no further than the historical and current evidence of poor resource management and long term vision.
Additionally, as I mentioned a few posts back, there have been some individual humans or small groups of humans who have been good at it, so you have some basis of measurement there.
It should be noted, that I'm not at all advocating some of the rabid measures that some eco nuts advocate. I understand the realities of the real world. But one thing that I'm continually amazed by is garbage day. Now admittedly it's just me and my wife, but when I see similarly sized families and every week they toss out full to overflowing garbage bins, and my wife and I will sometimes go 2-3 weeks between actually rolling out the garbage can because it's not anywhere even near being full. It just boggles my mind.