Assume you were a deity and....

shana · Post by **shana** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:42 am

@Chim, just stay home--its not worth leaving if you have to sweat in your car. Of course, I would sell a kidney to pay for the repairs, but that's just me!!

TheAmazingOopah · Post by **TheAmazingOopah** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:44 am

[QUOTE=fable]Considering the wholesale changes to the planet that have been caused by humanity over the relatatively short period of its existence, I'm inclined to opt for its removal. Some change is understandable, but the rapacity for resources combined with the perceived need to reproduce frequently has led to destruction on a scale any other species would admire--if it knew how to.

Barring that, I suppose I could settle for the removal of spiders. Nasty things, especially the hairy, fast-moving ones. Though I have to say, the aggressive, large red ants of semi-tropical and tropical zones may not look as bad, but for attitude they easily surpass spiders in sheer nuisance value.[/QUOTE]
Ah crap, I wanted to note the same thing as Fable this morning, but after I wrote the message, my computer crashed and I couldn't post it. I agree that if I would be a lovingly, kind deity with extermination on My agenda for today, the human race could be dead very soon. It's just that they polute the enviroment, kill nature and beasts more than is nessicary and for stupid reasons too, and they even create chaos and organized fighting on a big schale among their own species. Humans are just too smart to be a benifit to the world. Even if we would behave as best as possible, we still would be a bother because we're quite invincible. We can fight off many animals and nature disasters by organized actions and in technical ways, so it's very hard to make us die without blowing up the whole world.
Yes, we produce great art, and the big irony of it all is that we humans are the only ones who can actually appreciate and love the world, while animals tend to just eat, sleep, run, mate and poop in it, but if I were a deity that's loving His most beautiful creation, the world, humans would have to go bye-bye.

Apart from those cynical thoughts, I agree with Ik that jellyfish aren't too great. They make swimming in the ocean a lot less fun than it could be, though they can be nice to look at it in nature video's. And then again, the same could be said about sharks. They look cool, though freakish too, and can make a swimming trip a pain in the ass. Literally. I liked 'Jaws' though.

No, I think I will settle for the common housefly. Once you're sweaty on a hot summer day, they can be all over you like, well, flies on a turd. Jogging on the country side with flowers on the sides of the road can be really very annoying with those annoying bugs on you. Though I must say that it keeps you running.

Darzog · Post by **Darzog** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:41 am

DW,

I would fully support any activity to eradicate snakes from the face of the planet. Unless I had to see or touch one of course. Then I'd just go hide under my bed.

shana · Post by **shana** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:42 am

Dar, don't go under the bed, that's where the snakes hide!!

Chimaera182 · Post by **Chimaera182** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:57 am

[QUOTE=TheAmazingOopah]Apart from those cynical thoughts, I agree with Ik that jellyfish aren't too great. They make swimming in the ocean a lot less fun than it could be, though they can be nice to look at it in nature video's. And then again, the same could be said about sharks. They look cool, though freakish too, and can make a swimming trip a pain in the ass. Literally. I liked 'Jaws' though.[/QUOTE]
That's not cynicism; that's misanthropy, the pinnacle achievement of a cynic (imo). But it's fun.

Yeah, I don't mind jellyfish much, but I love love love sharks. Which is ironic, because I saw Jaws too much and also fear swimming in the ocean.

Darzog · Post by **Darzog** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:59 am

No, they try to hide under the blankets. :speech:

JonIrenicus · Post by **JonIrenicus** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 10:24 am

I suppose I would get rid of parasites (tapeworms, leeches, ticks, ect). Don't need those life suckers around.

And you guys already want to give up on humans? That's sad. We haven't been around that long and already are the brightest animal that ever walked this planet. Granted we have been a little mean to mother earth but I am sure one day we will be able to repair it, and if we don't we will die.

TheAmazingOopah · Post by **TheAmazingOopah** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:16 am

[QUOTE=Chimaera182]That's not cynicism; that's misanthropy, the pinnacle achievement of a cynic (imo). But it's fun.

Yeah, I don't mind jellyfish much, but I love love love sharks. Which is ironic, because I saw Jaws too much and also fear swimming in the ocean.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I also thought that cynicism wasn't the most fitting word, but I couldn't think of anything else at the moment. But what excactly is misanthropy? I mean, how would you define it?

[QUOTE=JonIrenicus]
And you guys already want to give up on humans? That's sad. We haven't been around that long and already are the brightest animal that ever walked this planet. Granted we have been a little mean to mother earth but I am sure one day we will be able to repair it, and if we don't we will die.[/QUOTE]Mainly in the past years we have started doing massive damage to the enviroment, burning up fossile fuels, and we will continue that for at least 15 years, I think. Even if switch to alternative fuels like hydrogen power and windmills, there still have been done some heavy damage that wouldn't have brought to nature that fast by nature itself, and I think it's a bit naive to think that we will be in the future able to fix something like the ozon layer. And even if we would be able to fix it, we still would be a problem, just as the human race. With the growing population, we only take in more land, cutting down more forests and decreasion the territory of animals. And I don't think that we will just die like that, the human race is a very sturdy race, and always finds a way to survive somehow, at least as a race. The thing that would kill us permanently, would probably destroy the world too, being not really a solution.

Now I don't go living my life with this kind of philosophy, because it's no way of living. I try to make the best out of life, because depressed or dead, I wouldn't be an asset to the world either. But still, if I'd be a God, I'd probably end the human race, just for the sake of the world, because I don't think that intelligence is really that great. To say it in the words of Orson Welles: "With mankind, I think God overestimated his abilities"

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:25 am

Speaking of jellyfish...

I had always thought they looked quite lovely in aquariums and on documentaries. When I played Morrowind for the first time, I figured netches were basically just giant airborne jellyfish and found them attractive additions to the game. A couple of years ago I was stung on the foot by a jellyfish while wading through the waves of a Cuban beach.... Good God that was painful! My only consolation was the thought that the location of the sting could have been *much,* *much* worse :speech:
When I got back home I went on a netch killing rampage

For those who do not know Morrowind, here are a couple of images:
http://misterwind.free.fr/images/morrowind/netch.jpg
http://www.seoman-mondkalb.org/assets/images/ENetch.jpg

Fiona · Post by **Fiona** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:52 am

I like jelly fish. I watched one swim across the harbour in Port William recently and it was truly beautiful. But I may be biased. I can't swim

Gotta go for the Highland Midge for extermination. It is not dangerous; does not carry disease; and I am not phobic about them. But they are the most ubiquitous nuisance in this county, and like every other small thing that eats people they believe me to be the tastiest food on the planet

JonIrenicus · Post by **JonIrenicus** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:11 pm

[QUOTE=TheAmazingOopah]But still, if I'd be a God, I'd probably end the human race, just for the sake of the world, because I don't think that intelligence is really that great.[/QUOTE]

Good thing you aren't a god otherwise you would have made a huge mistake. It is so rare, even in the universe, that there is such intelligence like humans. Sure we make mistakes because we are human, it happens. You can not judge us. Even if you got rid of humans, all it would take is another animal to evolve and start things over again. Granted it may take a while or never happen again. Either way it is a shame. There is other great intelligence in the galaxy but with us gone, it'll just make the universe a little more lonely.

The way I see it, getting rid of humans is NOT a solution -- just like getting rid of jews was not a solution

It was a great mistake.

Anyways if you think humans are the bane on this world, go shoot yourself or do something about it

Luis Antonio · Post by **Luis Antonio** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:22 pm

I'd go for Bananas. (nobody told about fruit, so ha). Bananas are bad to eat, they smell bad and make me sick. So go to hell, Bananas!

Edit - it is a being as well

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:54 pm

[QUOTE=Fiona]I like jelly fish. I watched one swim across the harbour in Port William recently and it was truly beautiful. But I may be biased. I can't swim

Gotta go for the Highland Midge for extermination. It is not dangerous; does not carry disease; and I am not phobic about them. But they are the most ubiquitous nuisance in this county, and like every other small thing that eats people they believe me to be the tastiest food on the planet

[/QUOTE]

Indeed yes, jellyfish really are beautiful, I wholeheartedly agree, and for me personally, they wouldn't be on my eliminate list. Getting stung still *really* hurt though! I actually had to hop about on one foot for about a day before I could put any weight on it

I agree regarding the midge! I've experienced them myself, and they are right up there with mosquitos. We have a similar insect here called the [url="http://pelotes.jea.com/AnimalFact/Arthropod/NOSEEUM.htm"]"No-see-um".[/url] Nasty little beggers....

Darzog · Post by **Darzog** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:07 pm

Jellyfish may be beautiful, but they are still very deadly. Box Jelly Fish, dangers on the great barrier reef

For divers or even casual swimmers in parts of the world (like Australia) they are very dangerous.

I was watching a documentary on this new tiny jellyfish they found... during one dive the two scientists were observing the jellyfish with full skins and gear. One got stung in his moustache and the other got stung when she brushed against one that was on her suit. They raced back to the hospital; he spent a few days in agony, she spent 2 weeks in the same state. Vomiting, every muscle in their bodies spasming and no amount of pain killers helped. All from a slight touch with the best first aid conditions possible.

They are very nasty. Tiny Box Jellyfish (or- why Frog's never going in warm ocean waters again.) - DiscussAnything.com -

JonIrenicus · Post by **JonIrenicus** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:18 pm

Yeah I watched that show on them too, I believe it was discovery but it could have been NGC.

Those box jellyfish and their electro stingers, scary stuff.

Demortis · Post by **Demortis** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:32 pm

[QUOTE=Chimaera182]I love love love sharks.[/QUOTE]

I love sharks too, they taste good with sake!

No um,

I hope everyone knows Im kiddin, right?! *looks around paranoid* Dont look at me like that! You wont take me alive you stupid fish people! Fishy fishy fishy wont get me! Ill eat him before he eats me!

Im not sure what I would remove if I could. Im pretty sure it would be humanity, but even then, there are times when its good.

Chimaera182 · Post by **Chimaera182** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:39 pm

I have also seen some program recently on the Box Jellyfish, but I have to agree with DW and Fiona. They are kind of beautiful. Anyone who steps into the water is taking a risk regardless, be it eel or sea snake (Darzog

) or sea lice (just like fleas, Damnu

), sharks, jellyfish... The sea is a vertiable gaggle of dangers. But this is only an opinion thread, and I can sod off I'm sure.

Oopah: "Misanthropy is a hatred or distrust of the human race, or a disposition to dislike and mistrust other people. The word comes from the Greek words μίσος ("hatred") + άνθρωπος ("man, human being"). A misanthrope is a person who hates or distrusts mankind and in most cases their own humanity.

Misanthropy does not necessarily imply an inhumane, antisocial, or sociopathic attitude towards humanity." Wikipedia's definition.

Misanthropy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I can't imagine any other species I'd do away with, were I to have that power. And while it's not a species, I would love to get rid of Chiuahauas. Nasty little rat dogs.

JonIrenicus · Post by **JonIrenicus** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:10 pm

I would get rid of locust as well, now that I think. Those bugs are devesating.

Chimaera182 · Post by **Chimaera182** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:15 pm

I would get rid of everyone who liked Napoleon Dynamite. I think that would be sweet.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:21 pm

[QUOTE=Chimaera182]I would get rid of everyone who liked Napoleon Dynamite. I think that would be sweet.[/QUOTE]

Now *that* I truly agree with.... I don't think I have ever seen a more inane and irritating movie.
I was forced to watch it a year or so back while visiting a friend, her 16-year-old son was a fan. My son was too young to "appreciate" it, while my friend and I were too old. Even worse... it brought back some very unpleasant highschool memories.

Then there is the acting, "plot"..... and...and...and

*shudders*

About the only thing I'll say in its favour is that the kid who played Napolean Dynamite was a decent dancer.