Gaia

[Shpongled]

What are your thoughts on the Gaia hypothesis? Essentially, the idea that Earth is a single living organism. Here's a wiki in case you're unfamiliar with this idea:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_hypothesis

Some bullet points:

• The hypothesis is frequently described as viewing the Earth as a single organism. Lovelock and other supporters of the idea now regard it as a scientific theory, not merely a hypothesis, since they believe it has passed predictive tests.
  
• James Lovelock defined Gaia as "a complex entity involving the Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and soil; the totality constituting a feedback or cybernetic system which seeks an optimal physical and chemical environment for life on this planet."
  
• With his initial hypothesis, Lovelock claimed the existence of a global control system of surface temperature, atmosphere composition and ocean salinity. His arguments were:
  1. The global surface temperature of the Earth has remained constant, despite an increase in the energy provided by the Sun.
  2. Atmospheric composition remains constant, even though it should be unstable.
  3. Ocean salinity is constant.

He's basically implying that as the atmosphere around it changes, Earth as a single organism is able to adjust itself in order to acclimate to the change.

I'm not entirely convinced of this in a scientific fact sort of manner, but it makes sense to me. I can't say whether or not I believe it to be true, because there are so many variables to consider. That's where you guys come in. Discuss

One thing's certain... if Earth spontaneously combusts, we're all going down with it.

 

[Shpongled]

There are certain animals that can only survive by eating other specific organisms, so if that food organism ceased to exist, so would the one that survived off of it. When something dies, it ultimately ends up back in the earth where it came from, whether it was eaten, dismembered, burned, or left in the forest to rot away into nothingness. When a living organism dies, it's material self is returned to the earth in one form or another. It's the way of all flesh (thanks Gojira!). With these things considered, imagine it on a much more grand scale that includes everything on earth and I'm inclined to believe this theory... but where would it all end? If we can prove that Earth is one living organism, is the next step to prove the entire universe is one living organism?

 

[neal]

you forgot the "when im on mushrooms" option

 

[Shpongled]

haha good point. It's amazing how obvious this all is on mushrooms

 

[Cat5Messiah]

I believe it to a certain extent. To give a brief explanation of what I mean, I think of Earth as the same way as human evolution or even the universe pre-Big Bang.

I believe that the Earth may had started out as a single organism but evolved into multiple organisms combined into a single entity, kind of like multiple celled organisms. I don't know, it's kind of hard to explain when you've had as much caffeine as I have had. I suppose you couldn't really compare it with the universe pre-Big Bang when I think about it because it's my understanding that when the Big Bang occured, it was caused by a collision of two entities rather than one.

 

[WhiteBeastofWotan]

When something dies, it ultimately ends up back in the earth where it came from, whether it was eaten, dismembered, burned, or left in the forest to rot away into nothingness. When a living organism dies, it's material self is returned to the earth in one form or another.

Unless its launched into space!!

The national pastime of the future:
Animal Space Launching! Fun for the kids!

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

I think it's relative and just depends how you're looking at it.

 

[vikk]

I believe it to a certain extent, like the dance monkey dance vid says "we love to separate ourself from the animals, without considering that we are animals"
IMO, even if we think we are superior, i think there is some bound with nature

 

[MegadeV]

haha good point. It's amazing how obvious this all is on mushrooms

It's funny and true. Everything seems to be inter-connected when you're frying balls (or it is connected and we just usually can't see it when sober )

If the Gaia theory is true, we (humanity) are her cancer.

 

[Brooks]

Ah! I see you read my post in the other thread.

 

[Battle.Angel]

"we love to separate ourself from the animals, without considering that we are animals"
IMO, even if we think we are superior, i think there is some bound with nature

totally agreed.

I also think, all life on earth is connected with each other in some way. If something dies it will always have some effect on other species, wether that other species is going to suffer from it (because it used to eat the vanished species) or flourish (because it used to be prey for the vanished species) and that again will have an effect on another species and so on...

 

[WhiteBeastofWotan]

This almost makes me want to start a thread about Transhumanism. I find this shit fascinating
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumanism

 

[Altitudes]

If this theory implies the earth is a self regulating system and always reacts to restore its equilibrium, then it can be fully discredited. If you regard Gaia as a biological life form or entity it can be discredited as well (the earth hasn't reproduced, and as silly as that sounds that it is an important function of biological organisms). AND.... if you are implying the earth is conscious, that is fail

Damn, I should get paid for this shit! Keep these threads comin'

 

[Battle.Angel]

God, I fucking love that painting!!

Though... it makes humans look vastly superior to animals and plants.. so.. No, I don't want it!

 

[Battle.Angel]

If this theory implies the earth is a self regulating system and always reacts to restore its equilibrium, then it can be fully discredited. If you regard Gaia as a biological life form or entity it can be discredited as well (the earth hasn't reproduced, and as silly as that sounds that it is an important function of biological organisms). AND.... if you are implying the earth is conscious, that is fail

Yeah, that makes me doubt, too. Earth itself can't be an organism, but it's the entirety of all organisms.

 

[Shpongled]

How can you guys be so sure that Mars and Venus aren't the illegitimate children of Sirius and Earth?!

 

[Battle.Angel]

We have these nice paintings here at the bus stops where I live.. And this one just fits to the thread..

 

[Shpongled]

Ah! I see you read my post in the other thread.

I know what you mean, though. You really just kind of have to see it for yourself to believe it.

 

[neal]

If this theory implies the earth is a self regulating system and always reacts to restore its equilibrium, then it can be fully discredited.

OH NOES GLOBAL WARMING GONNA GIT YA

 

[Altitudes]

I wasn't even referring to Global Warming, but it does fall under that umbrella.