Sunday 10 July 2022

Homo distractiensis?

I have always had issues with the scientific name for our human species. Homo sapiens literally translates as 'wise man'. The label seems profoundly arrogant, as well as being more than a touch sexist. We humans are clearly aware that we have created an existentional problem with anthropogenic (human caused) global heating/ climate change. August organisations periodically have meetings to pontificate about the issues. Politicians pledge to do this and that. The media go wild about the issues. Shortly afterwards, however, our attention is distracted as we focus on war; the cost of living crisis; company profits; the costs of fuel; political psychodramas; medical emergencies; sporting events; pop concerts; travel et cetera, et cetera. Perhaps a better scientific name for the human species would be Homo distractiensis? (Easily) 'distracted man'. It's one thing to know that we have a problem. It's clearly next to impossible, in the long term, to focus human attention on doing anything meaningful about it!

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