What could Redeem Humans?

[abaris]

Although - - humans are scum.

We aren't more or less scummy than our closest living relatives - the chimps. The problem is our access to advanced technology, which allows us to destruct more of our environment and fellow humans. Basically we're still apes, but nuclear ones.

But, as it is with every species, earth will shrug us off, when things get too dire.

I remember finding and reading an, at it's time, ground breaking book in my parent's library. Called The naked Ape by Desmond Morris. Published in 1967, which more or less pointed out the similarities between us and them. To find this book at my parental home also gives you an impression that I was never surrounded by creatards.

[Thumpalumpacus]

To me we are worse, due to our ability to completely destroy the habitat of other animals and to cause them to go extinct overnight, relatively speaking. That's unique to us.

No, it isn't. Elephants routinely destroy entire swathes of forest in their dining; the only reason why they haven't caused more desertification (and concomitant extinction) is because 1) they tend to roam, allowing some recovery time for the stands they've ruined, and 2) we've hunted them to near-extinction.

A major reason the Great Barrier Reef is shrinking and dying is the crown-of-thorns starfish, which feeds on coral polyps. Once the reef is gone, say goodbye to an entire ecosystem.

Invasive species destroy the habitat of native species regularly.

It's true that we have more power to effect more destruction more efficiently -- but it's also true that we have the foresight to see when our behavior will be destructive, and in the memo from the Better-Late-Than-Never Department, we're finally starting to think of the environmental consequences of our actions. But the power to alter habitat is not at all unique to us.

[robvalue]

Yes, I was referring to the speed and efficiency in which we can destroy or alter habitat. With nuclear weapons we can do so at the touch of a button.

[Neo-Scholastic]

Do we ask what could redeem the bear? Or the lion? We're animals. Redemption is just the wish that we're more than that.

...and this line of reasoning leads to various Final Solutions as we deny the humanity of others by purging it from ourselves.

[abaris]

...and this line of reasoning leads to various Final Solutions as we deny the humanity of others by purging it from ourselves.

Which is bullshit. It only prevents us from riding the high horse and to make us a little more humble. To take some time to reflect if what we're doing to our environment can go on for eternity.

Your reply is a perfect example of that. By putting humans on a pedestal, you more or less make our fellow creatures fair game - in the literal sense. Without stopping to consider what it is we are doing. And no, I'm not talking about eating, since I'm not a vegetarian. I'm talking of destroying their natural habitats for economical gain. Thereby also destroying our own environment as climate change deniers gladly do. Sometimes, but certainly not always, by thumping their bibles.

[bennyboy]

Redeem them?  In whose eyes do we need to be redeemed?  That's God talk you have there, except instead of Jehovah you are hinting at Gaia.

Um, in the eyes of Humanity. 
Damn humans are assholes for humans to consider themselves assholes.

I think you are a Dan Brown villain.  Do I have to start reading Dante to understand when your Doomsday virus will be released?

[Edwardo Piet]

Do we ask what could redeem the bear?  Or the lion?  We're animals.  Redemption is just the wish that we're more than that.

...and this line of reasoning leads to various Final Solutions as we deny the humanity of others by purging it from ourselves.

Most retarded non-sequitur + strawman ever.

[IATIA]

Say that ten times fast.

that that that that that that that that that that.

[Silver]

What could possibly Redeem Humans?

The elimination of a power construct that relies upon monetary gain.

[Edwardo Piet]

Nothing to redeem that would imply we knew what the fuck we were doing in the first place.