Don't Ever Think That Atheism/Rationalism Can't Be Surpassed

[cronus]

What, that there is no value in seeing the biosphere as a single entity?

It's a dogs breakfast out there I can tell you. Always has been and always will be.

[JimC]

What, that there is no value in seeing the biosphere as a single entity?

The Gaia hypothesis goes beyond that, it postulates a form of homeostasis that always acts to prevent various measurable quantities from diverging too far from the planetary norms which allow a rich and flourishing biota. The NewScientist article was reporting that the evidence suggests that such a homeostasis is limited.

[Blind groper]

Just a comment on the balance of nature. On a smaller scale than the Gaea hypothesis deals with, this balance is actually quite robust. You will get numerous tree hugging greenies who will argue it is delicate. But, in fact, it stands up to a hell of a lot of abuse.

Sure, human activity can and does create changes, often very harmful. But before the ecologies change drastically, humans have to apply massive damage. If the damage is small, the ecology adapts.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Just a comment on the balance of nature. On a smaller scale than the Gaea hypothesis deals with, this balance is actually quite robust. You will get numerous tree hugging greenies who will argue it is delicate. But, in fact, it stands up to a hell of a lot of abuse.

Sure, human activity can and does create changes, often very harmful. But before the ecologies change drastically, humans have to apply massive damage. If the damage is small, the ecology adapts.

It managed to adapt to being hit by comets and asteroids a few times. I think it can cope with a few greedy, ignorant masters of industry. Of course, whether they figure in the adapted world is another matter - but I can't see us scrumpling all that soon.