This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
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!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Jumping Into the Limelight?
Jumping spiders don't make webs. As their name suggests, they leap on their prey. A current total of 17 non-native jumping spiders, hav...
-
The UK government continue their quest to turn England's rivers back into sewers. They first facilitated the privatised water companies...
-
Garden plants in France, The Netherlands, The UK and Sikkim (NE India).
No comments:
Post a Comment