RE: Human Nature
April 27, 2025 at 11:40 am
(This post was last modified: April 27, 2025 at 11:44 am by The Grand Nudger.)
(April 27, 2025 at 6:23 am)Alan V Wrote: Climate change is different from other problems in that we have to anticipate it to deal with it effectively. We can't wait until it is all too obvious because by then natural feedback will have kicked in, making it impossible for humans to stop. That's what the 1.5C to 2.0C goals were supposed to be about.
So perhaps my biggest problem with humanity is why, no matter how well-intentioned we are, we so often have to learn the hard way.
I agree, I was pointing out that we often arrive at the solution to past problems in the then future - and when we do, we feel like our past selves or predecessors were straight dum dums for not seeing it or doing it in a timely way. That we play catch up, that we remediate. That we suffer, in the absence of our ability to do either thing. That ability to be introspective, retrospect, self critical, inventive, and corrective is part of the mix of human nature that really is something in this world. Capable of producing things which were not there before, of manifesting behaviors that have no real analogs. That we were handed this baton and if we manage to hand it off that's not the worst outcome for us or the planet.
Learning the hard way, I think, comes down to biology. We can be hurt, and we experience pain. It's a hell of a motivator. Something that might actually qualify for behavioral gravity. We're hurting right now, and trying all the wrong things first. We'll either learn or die..and the planet we'll be fine either way. Like the prophet, George Carlin, said. The planet is fine. Humans are a surface infestation. A temporary nuisance. Another name on the future list of also rans.
However, if our biggest complaint is that we have to learn the hard way and we think that's unfortunate..we're probably not talking misanthropy. That, to me, sounds like it comes from a place of caring and foresight which we could, imo, use alot more of. It's not like you're over there saying "humans have to learn the hard way, and that's great, because I would like to hit em even harder..and all the time..the filthy fucking fucks!"
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