Ageism from Attenborough

Baggs no opinion either way, but just wanted to say that I appreciated your well thought out responses to some posts.

Refreshing to see how some deal with posts that contradict/oppose/challenge the views expressed.

Humans “are a plague on the earth” and “behind every threat [to wildlife] is the frightening explosion in human numbers.”—Sir David Attenborough, documentary filmmaker behind Life on Earth and many more, senior manager at BBC, environmentalist
I am not sure that I disagree totally with that sentiment. Future generations may look back with horror at our exploitation of the earth, our inability to share limited resources with our neighbours, the pollution we cause through greed, our reluctance to control populations by gentle means in order to share what resources we have and the disregard we have for other species which share our planet.

Sorry, but that's how I feel and I will go back in the corner again now. And no, I'm not virtuous, I am probably as guilty as the next person of the march towards the destruction of the planet although I do my best not to but my best is just not good enough.

I'm in the same corner as you*Jalima*.

Thank goodness, I thought I may be 'virtue signalling'

Budge over, Jamila and Dumpling, let me in.

I promise not to slobber although I may put my feet up and snore.

I'm with you Jalima

Some people think because you reach a certain age you should act that age, even if it means depriving yourself of the joy of living. Of course dementia and other illnesses take over. Thinking I'm too old for this and I'm too old for that is the choice too many people make.

Jalima we've been to several places in the USA & Canada where the environment has been trashed by industry in the 19th & 20th centuries, but it has been reclaimed and restored. It's possible.
The same is true in Britain - to give just one example, Salford, the archetypal dirty old town, will be home to the new RHS Bridgewater Garden which will bring jobs and money as well as literally breathing new life into the area.
I don't mean to sound complacent and of course we must reduce pollution to a minimum, but it's about sustainability and it's not all doom and gloom.

Brilliant man, talks a great deal of sense

That's a good quote, jalima. My feeling is that if it hadn't been humans who dominated it would have been another or several other species. We did not set about trying to destroy the planet, we set about trying to survive in the most comfortable way possible, as all living things do. Our particular evolution (I recommend a read of Yuval Noah Harari's book, Sapiens for a very readable overview) has meant that we have developed an astonishing array of capabilities that no other animal has yet approached. We are now beginning to really understand the power of our own capabilities, both to create and to destroy, and we are also beginning to deal with destruction and to try to limit it and restore what we have damaged.

Meanwhile, there are a still a lot of people living in abject poverty, from hand to mouth, off rubbish tips. We have to deal with that too. And we will. We are doing. Two hundred years ago nearly everyone lived in abject poverty. The percentage of human population now living in abject poverty is now tiny by comparison.

Homo sapiens, as a species, is no more evil than any other. Nor, I would add, any worse for the planet and for life on the planet than any other. Life will continue whatever we do. What adapts survives. That has always been true even before there were any human species. It's still true now.

Cheers, phoenix. Your comment is appreciated. I do try!

Brilliantly put Baggs & Jalima , agree wholeheartedly.

The main features of humans that animals don't have is their ability to record data and experience for others to consult, to make long-term plans for the future using past records for reference, and to co-operate with others all over the globe to carry out those plans. They can use those abilities for good or for exploitation.

They also have the use of technology that can magnify each person's abilities manyfold, from powered vehicles for transporting stuff by land, sea and air and excavating deep under the sea to tiny portable communications devices.

A swarm of locusts can together devastate a huge area, but one locust on its own doesn't do much damage (and a swarm of locusts is a free restaurant for flocks of hungry birds).

A single human being using tools to extend his own power can do far more than a locust. Multiply that to billions of humans and you have a vast capacity for unthinking destruction (and the only animal predator keeping down human numbers is man).

Thankfully, it has dawned on most people that along with the power to use all the resources on earth, there is also the responsibility to look after them.

It hasn't dawned on everyone, of course, even among the most powerful world leaders. That is why people like David Attenburgh who see so much of the natural world keep plugging how much responsibility humans have.

Always appreciate your posts logi-baggs. You say so eloquently what I think but don't have the facility to put as clearly as you do. Thanks.

I don't know about David Attenborough...but having watched the Newsbeat political debate last night specifically aimed at young people's views. Not once did any of the young people consider the wider population, it was all about them. The general consensus that their generation is the most important on the planet and the rest of us are insignificant and a drain on resources! Oh how foolish they are! They wouldn't be where they are had it not been for us and past generations!

Yes I agree W11girl, I think each generation brings up the next generation differently than their own, there are some amazing young people around, but sad to say with today's media & focus on me,me me a lot have been brought up to be pretty clueless about the wider world, & live in a bubble of hair , make up, clothes , implants, nose jobs , amazing sex!!? etc etc wonderful homes full of gadgets , nothing wrong with wanting that , but it comes at a price & is pretty near dammed impossible. I actually feel sorry for them, at least we weren't disappointed we didn't expect the impossible & we knew we had to work for it, oh dear I am getting old & turning into my mother!!!

Take encouragement from beginning to sound like your mother, norose; it means it has all happened before and will again

I don't mind sounding like my mother but I do worry when DH begins to sound like his (although I was very fond of her she was proud of being just plain awkward!).

Thanks Baggs you are absolutely right, think I will take a glass of ,ohhps meant cup of tea into the garden ?

don't slop it down yourself norose4

I might do on the 2nd or 3rd lol !!

It's too cold here to sit outside

PS TY, gaga ?

Nice & sunny here today so I will make it a bottle, & hope it warms up in your neck of the woods, (depending on everyone's views some of of us could be feeling chilly by tomorrow night !!!?