Why do we mess with nature

[Tin Pot]

Some of us evolved

Were you genetically engineered by astronauts from the ninth planet?

 

[MontyVeda]

It's a bit weird that you consider humans as unnatural, and different in some way from the rest of nature.

We evolved just as everything else did.

don't you mean... we're evolving, just like everything else is.

 

[Tin Pot]

don't you mean... we're evolving, just like everything else is.

Although there is some discussion over genetic change with an organisms lifetime, I'm pretty sure it's fair to say that you, and I, are not evolving. Except on Sundays.

 

[MichaelW2]

Buddlia is the right plant in the wrong place. It is bee crack cocaine, one snort and they prefer it to the wimpy indigenous options. It is also highly invasive on patches of rough ground that could support a wider variety of plant and insect life.

 

[bancrobba]

We've picked a fight with mother nature, sucking the goodness from the planet and spewing out toxins. Bad plan. Nature will whip our ass and restore the balance.

 

[Globalti]

What I can't understand is, if we evolved and Mother Nature endowed us with the brains to invent, build and ride bicycles, why do some so-called "joggers" still insist on running around?

 

[Jody]

Buddlia is the right plant in the wrong place. It is bee crack cocaine, one snort and they prefer it to the wimpy indigenous options. It is also highly invasive on patches of rough ground that could support a wider variety of plant and insect life.

Ceanothus and Cotoneaster are other crack plants for bees. The whole plants literally hum when in flower.

I have some Buddleia in our garden which bring in huge quantites of butterflies when flowering but considering removing them after finding out how invasive they are. A patch of wasteland near where I work has been completely taken over by them to the detriment of most other plants.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Because nature is red and tooth and claw and would eat a million shaved monkies for breakfast without a second thought.

Humankind has no choice but to alter the environment around it or face extinction.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

What I can't understand is, if we evolved and Mother Nature endowed us with the brains to invent, build and ride bicycles, why do some so-called "joggers" still insist on running around?

I like running
I like riding
I like sitting on my 'arris
I like lying down
I'm ok with kneeling

Not about either/or

Standing up, especially standing up straight can do one though,

 

[GrumpyGregry]

When nature produces such wonderful things like flowers why do we mess with it so much.

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And yes I know we can't feed the world with plants but it makes you think

Oil based paints and plastic seals on the windows? You're messing with nature!

 

[tyred]

don't you mean... we're evolving, just like everything else is.

Perhaps in time we will evolve so that fish and chips and chocolate cake and ice cream are actually good for us

 

[Dave the Smeghead]

And no doubt you are happy to lap it all up just like the rest if us. I'm sure you eat meat and cattle thus contributing to the huge pollution causing animal farming industry, plus the massive suffering of the animals. I'm sure you own a vehicle, I'm sure your clothes aren't made of leaves or your fruit and veg hand grown and picked yourself?

The only people who have a right to complain about the human race are those who live outside the norm and don't participate in the destruction.

A fair point but you don't know that I don't live in harmony with our planet.

My main point was about the short term profit at what expense, and despite our inventiveness I feel we have it wrong if we destroy everything in pursuit of money.

The OP has opened quite a debate, for which I am grateful, and others have extended that debate quite wonderfully.

As it happens I would love to live much more in tune with nature, do cycle whenever possible, do grow my own veggies, and have hunted and killed for food, and if I had more space would keep livestock for food.
I despise the current fad for celebrity and the rampant consumerism that seems to pervade all including most people's common sense.

I do live apart from all that as much as I can. However, being a parent I do engage in whatever I need to ensure my children have what they need and a few luxuries.

I concede that I cannot live outside the modern world, I do try to minimise my impact on it, and take vast pleasure from many of the simple things - flowers, birds, trees, and even most of the insects.

House flies can just do one though!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I concede that I cannot live outside the modern world, I do try to minimise my impact on it, and take vast pleasure from many of the simple things - flowers, birds, trees, and even most of the insects.

House flies can just do one though!

You can live outside the modern world if you choose. I doubt many of us would thrive under the adaptations necessary. And I am a big fan of vaccinations, modern antibiotics, public sewerage systems and water purification plants.

But why not make a start by getting shot of the most unnatural part of any modern person's lifestyle, your motor car (assuming you drive one)

 

[Saluki]

Because as a species we are wasteful, destructive and absolutely stupid.

Use up and / or destroy all the resources on the planet - exploit every single thing we can in the name of profit and don't worry about our planet as tomorrow never comes.....

It will....one day. And on that day we may (as a species) discover the true value and worth of what we have destroyed.

Sorry - turned into a bit of a rant there. Sorry.

I was just listening to my Hotel California LP and was thinking the same thing as The Last Resort was playing.

 

[PK99]

The OP has opened quite a debate, for which I am grateful, and others have extended that debate quite wonderfully.

!

He opened the debate with a false premise: When nature produces such wonderful things like flowers why do we mess with it so much?

Of the 3 plants he showed ALL are unnatural - two being the product of selective breeding and the other being a Chinese native naturalised garden escapee in Britain having been brought over from China.