Why is it that humans have such a superiority complex? *RANT*

[Descartes]

Defining a level of superiority is extremely relative. Lets consider hungrypete's statement...

What if the definition of superiority is to resist imposing our existence on all else? Simply because we choose to destroy the environments inhabited by many indigenous species, does that make us superior? If we were to get religious, what if the true "test" was to see if we would use our advantage to create such torment for others (this includes other humans)?

Just a thought.

 

[TheAvenger]

I just helped my fiancee's son with this the last semester of school and he got an A.

i don't disagree edit(with what you say)

that was nice of you but always remeber it was heresy to say the world was flat, what we teach is often used to make make people feel secure, that we know what's going on, when the truth is merely unknown. Hence evolution, a belief that is unsubsatiated and treated as fact, I'm not saying I know it's not true, but we just don't know.

 

[Isla]

Some of the best friends I ever had have been dogs and cats, and I tend to prefer their company over the company of humans.

Not only do humans think they are superior to other creatures, but they love to set up heirarchies in which some humans are 'better' than others. Anytime I start thinking I might be superior, I get a sick feeling in my stomach because I remember that what I am is blessed, not 'better' or 'more worthy'.

 

[GasX]

Inteligence is about the only measure of superiority that humans win. Is it any surprise that we focus on it?

Population? talk to an ant

Length of stay on earth? talk to an alligator

Ability to breed? talk to a fruit fly or a rabbit

Strength? Talk to a gorilla or an elephant

Size? talk to a Blue Whale

Speed? talk to a tuna or a cheetah or an eagle

Ability to fly? depends on how you look at this one...

Ability to breath water?

Ability to withstand cold?

and so on...

 

[TheAvenger]

Mwilding: intellegence over comes all those other obsacles, that makes us superior in all aspects

the age thing, we have come along way: life expectancy 1000yrs ago like 35 now like 80, and were still advancing.

 

[RedFox1]

I think we've got a pretty good edge. Having written languages lets us pass along knowledge very effectively.

Depending on how you look at it, some animals might have an edge on us. Bees are very efficient -- each member of the community is born with the tools it needs to bring the maximum utility to the community, and nothing more or less. Even the hive is built from pre-drawn plans that have been tweaked to make the most effective use of space and resources. They don't waste anything. On the other hand, I don't think any of us would want to live like that.

We've managed to put together a civilization where less than 4% of the population can raise enough food to more than feed the rest. Our biggest concerns revolve around how to spend our leisure time. As a species, we've done pretty well for ourselves.

-RedFox1

 

[Amused]

<< Some of the best friends I ever had have been dogs and cats, and I tend to prefer their company over the company of humans.

Not only do humans think they are superior to other creatures, but they love to set up heirarchies in which some humans are 'better' than others. Anytime I start thinking I might be superior, I get a sick feeling in my stomach because I remember that what I am is blessed, not 'better' or 'more worthy'. >>



Isla, the very cats and dogs you claim to prefer the company of set up the VERY SAME hierarchies among others in their species. In fact, I know of no mammal that does not have a social caste system based upon brute strength and force.

 

[Amused]

<< Inteligence is about the only measure of superiority that humans win. Is it any surprise that we focus on it?

Population? talk to an ant

Length of stay on earth? talk to an alligator

Ability to breed? talk to a fruit fly or a rabbit

Strength? Talk to a gorilla or an elephant

Size? talk to a Blue Whale

Speed? talk to a tuna or a cheetah or an eagle

Ability to fly? depends on how you look at this one...

Ability to breath water?

Ability to withstand cold?

and so on... >>



Yep, and intelligence alone beat out all those, making us the dominant species on earth.

 

[Moonbeam]

On the contrary, amused, bonobo chimp society is run by the girls. Among naturally functioning human societies, of which there are badically now almost none, it is the mutually recognized presence of wisdom and life experience in certain individuals that make for leaders.

edit: ie not brute force if that clarifies.

 

[Tauren]

<<Perhaps, but using the fact that you helped a kid with a report for school as a basis for an expert opinion is asking for smart-@ss remarks.

I didn't realize your skin was so thin...>>

#1. I didn't say I was an expert, nor do I feel that my post had that tone.
#2. I was using it as a reference to state that I had just recently looked it the subject of food chains.
#3. The reason I stated HE got an A, was to dissuade anyone from commenting: &quot;so what, that doen't make you an expert!&quot; (on the contrary, the opposite happened), and to show he obviously understood the material at hand, hopefully lending some credence to my statement.
#4. I hardly call that making a smart-@ss comment.
#5. You are obviously young.

 

[Marty]

Humans are superior because they are so adaptable. What other large species can exist on every continent on earth? Now you might argue that humans don't directly deal with their surrounding environment, by building homes and so forth. However, this is no different than a rabbit digging a burrow, etc. Basically it comes down to the fact that no species is capable of molding the environment to such a great extent to further their existence.

That, and the fact that humans have consciousness.

Marty

 

[Athanasius]

<< Why is it that humans have such a superiority complex? *RANT* >>



Because we emphasize intellectual knowledge, and &quot;intelligentsia&quot; generates pride in our species.

The one who truly knows, knows he is nothing, and uses that knowledge to serve. Individuals have strength for a time to see if they can learn how to serve/love. It is our abuse of the stewardship of gifts with which our particular species has been blessed that will cause our own downfall, and the downfall of those less domineering species that are at our mercy. I pity those species, since we lack mercy even to our own kind.

What do we have that we have not received? And what have we done with what we have received? We are nothing but stewards.

No good steward considers his own worth; rather, he seeks to be faithful over that with which he has been entrusted.

 

[Amused]

<< On the contrary, amused, bonobo chimp society is run by the girls. Among naturally functioning human societies, of which there are badically now almost none, it is the mutually recognized presence of wisdom and life experience in certain individuals that make for leaders.

edit: ie not brute force if that clarifies. >>



Yet, they have a hierarchy. My point remains valid.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

So are you saying that you are better than me?!

 

[Moonbeam]

Such a beautiful post Athanasius.

AmusedOne Your point read that you knew of no mammal that does not have a social caste system based upon brute strength and force. Now you do. And I hate to remind you that all hierarcical systems are elitist which you seem to say is at once unavoidable and undesirable. Which is it. I have said that those at the top of the pyramid where we have that dollar bill eye that sees, see and act from that vision without thought or theory. Vision is love and love is vision. No seer destroys his nest. Through the heart is a door that leads to communnion with the infinite universe. Oh God help us to find that door. Look at all the dead things at our feet.

 

[GasX]

<< #1. I didn't say I was an expert, nor do I feel that my post had that tone.
#2. I was using it as a reference to state that I had just recently looked it the subject of food chains.
#3. The reason I stated HE got an A, was to dissuade anyone from commenting: &quot;so what, that doen't make you an expert!&quot; (on the contrary, the opposite happened), and to show he obviously understood the material at hand, hopefully lending some credence to my statement.
#4. I hardly call that making a smart-@ss comment.
#5. You are obviously young. >>



#1 - I agree
#2 - that was obvious
#3 - good for him, I hope he continues to excel
#4. No, but it was asking for one.
#5 - No, I am 32. I like to make wise ass remarks. Your failure to take it as a joke makes you either thick headed or thin skinned.

I'll put a next to my post next time so you don't take offense - that seems to be the universal symbol for &quot;Please note, the previous remark was intended as a humorous comment. This disclaimer is being used just in case you can't pick up on subtleties of language...&quot;

 

[raven82]

God wanted it that way.

 

[GasX]

Moonbeam - you scare me...

I don't know sometimes whether or not you are a comedian or a cult member.

 

[thebestMAX]

Its hard to be humble when you are me.

 

[Moonbeam]

That I scare you doesn't bother me. That I scare me is what I find worrisome.

 

[Amused]

<< Moonbeam - you scare me...

I don't know sometimes whether or not you are a comedian or a cult member.

>>



Hey now, you're selling Moonie short there!

Why can't he be both???

 

[shiner]

When pigs or any other &quot;smart&quot; animal can build something like the Pyramids, Panama Canal, or even a measly skyscraper THEN I will be impressed. Until then...me human....evenything else = food.

 

[Belegost]

We maintain superiority by being unreasonable. We refuse to die in our time, so we find ways to extend life. We refuse to be cold, so we find ways to stay warm. Humans are adaptable, and while some animals (rats, coyotes) may be more adaptable, they adapt to the enviroment. Humans, in all our arrogance, make the enviroment adapt to us. For so long as we continue to force our will upon our surroundings, we will be superior.

 

[Moonbeam]

Exactly, Amused, sometimes the cult of the eye on the pyramid is just called we fools on the hill.

 

[Fardringle]

It's pretty simple, really. Humans and dolphins are the only animals that have sex for pleasure. How can we NOT feel superior with a fact like that?