A couple things come to mind, as immediate thoughts, not well-considered responses, I'm afraid.

One is that -- assuming you are a man, as your name suggests -- you are either not a father or, if you are, are oddly detached from your kids: you don't seem to care about the quality of life of any offspring you may have.

Another is that, while the attitude you give voice to (as "devil's advocates"?) seems unfortunately too common, it strikes me as unwise and undignified for a modern, informed human being. Actually, it seems like the viewpoint of a cranky, unhappy adolescent. (Please understand, I don't like people attacking one another on this or any other forum; I'm addressing an attitude of a 'part of you' that you put forward for comment -- take it in that spirit.)

The modern studies of cultural anthropology and human prehistory indicate that human groups, and generally individuals within them, have normally striven for survival. So it strikes me as literally pathetic if some contemporary people arrive at an attitude such as you describe. It would reflect a real disconnection from other people.

The great forester, ecologist, and writer Aldo Leopold made the case that a concern for the fabric of life in ecosystems and on Earth in general is an extension of (not a turning away from) ethical attitudes that we develop toward our fellow humans.

Joel

and Hay, suppose you are reincarnated ;o)
Perhaps it is those who think that way that are the ones who are reincarnated, what a hoot huh.

I have a daughter, but I doubt that any degrading of this planet that I do will have an impact on her ability to enjoy a full life.

If, down the geneology tree, life becomes so unbearable on this planet, then people will just stop having kids and we'll go the path of dinosaurs. But, meanwhile, we could have a great last fling.

I care about my fellow human beings. I don't want to see them suffer any more than any of you do. But look at all the suffering man has had to endure over the last 2000 years. Millions and millions of people have suffering horribly from war, pestilence, famine, whatever. The more hospitalble you make this planet, the more suffering you'll see.

Wouldn't you rather just have one last big party and be done with it all.

Hay.

And if I come back in a reincarnated lower realm being, then the earth without all these humans will probably be a better place for me to come back to.

Hay wrote: "Wouldn't you rather just have one last big party and be done with it all."

Quite honestly, no.

J.

P.S. I like a party, just like most everyone. But I don't have to look at life - my life - that way. To me there is more to life than sumptuous food, cakes, loud voices, beer... and even dancing. Odd, huh?

Don't any of you let me get to you.

I certainly don't live my life with this attitude, but I do indeed have this part of me that can't really understand why I don't live my life with this attitude.

Hay.

hello hay; well I'm not so thick-headed to see that you are just attempting to stir some debate, but I do have a variety of concerns... I think it would be advantageous not to be in a drunken state or think we can just garden (not having the right data:see the references and links to perchlorates under the "John Stossel"thread for just one example)during this critical time of upcoming elections...If you find that there is a need to change the helmsman,there is also a requirement at the state level to elect politicians who can work with a new leader and to help ensure that we are obtaining the right information and analysis from various institutions...