Inside The Worlds Most Unusual Fossil Site - The La Brea Tar Pits

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

I wouldn't have thought so either... but who won, in the end?

To be fair, that's a very long-winded thing that could go back and forth between us on whether we hold to either just humans being the cause for extinction, or that it was the environmental changes post Last Glacial Period.
Personally, I see it as always a mix of both. Nothing that big and dangerous goes down JUST because of humans. Though the ancients very likely did help tip if over the edge.

 

[Chesterton]

I normally find the extinction of animals due to human action deeply sad...

Why?

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

Why?

Because more often than not, it's for wholly pointless and unnecessary reasons, especially when the extinctions are purely caused by man.

But that's me.

 

[Ophiolite]

Why?

Why is it deeply sad that when humans are responsible for the extinction of animals? Is that a serious question? Were you the sort of young lad who ripped the wings off butterflys and threw stones at cats?

It is sad because the richness of life lies in its diversity.
It is sad because when that diversity is lessened all life is diminished.
It should be especially sad for Christians, since apparently humans have been appointed stewards of the planet. Eliminating a species is definitely not on the job description.

 

[Chesterton]

Because more often than not, it's for wholly pointless and unnecessary reasons, especially when the extinctions are purely caused by man.

But that's me.

That's not really an answer. Playing the game of basketball could be described as pointless and unnecessary, but it doesn't make me sad.

 

[Chesterton]

Why is it deeply sad that when humans are responsible for the extinction of animals? Is that a serious question? Were you the sort of young lad who ripped the wings off butterflys and threw stones at cats?

I once threw a stone at a butterfly, but I was just in a bad mood.

It is sad because the richness of life lies in its diversity.
It is sad because when that diversity is lessened all life is diminished.
It should be especially sad for Christians, since apparently humans have been appointed stewards of the planet. Eliminating a species is definitely not on the job description.

These value judgments have no place in a science forum.

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

That's not really an answer. Playing the game of basketball could be described as pointless and unnecessary, but it doesn't make me sad.

... it really is an answer though. Your commentary is unnecessary for sure.

These value judgments have no place in a science forum.

I'm also going to say that this is a cop-out answer since this isn't a hard and fast, die-hard science forum. It is a very informal site, hence such value judgements have a place, especially when you ask the question of 'why' to the comment of 'I normally find the extinction of animals due to human action deeply sad...' which is directly talking about value judgments.

 

[Shemjaza]

Why?

It's a loss of something special to the world... and often there's run on consequences as well.

 

[Shemjaza]

To be fair, that's a very long-winded thing that could go back and forth between us on whether we hold to either just humans being the cause for extinction, or that it was the environmental changes post Last Glacial Period.
Personally, I see it as always a mix of both. Nothing that big and dangerous goes down JUST because of humans. Though the ancients very likely did help tip if over the edge.

At that technology level human migration is also basically a consequence of the environmental changes.

 

[Ophiolite]

These value judgments have no place in a science forum.

Environmental destruction is a topic that very much has a place on a science forum. a history forum and a political forum.

Science without passion is somewhat pointless.

Which research projects recieve funding are often dependent upon value judgements.

Which topics attract the interest of researchers are generally dependent upon value judgements.

My objective, provisional conclusion is that you seem not to know much about science.

 

[AV1611VET]

Environmental destruction is a topic that very much has a place on a science forum. a history forum and a political forum.

Science without passion is somewhat pointless.

Which research projects recieve funding are often dependent upon value judgements.

Which topics attract the interest of researchers are generally dependent upon value judgements.

My objective, provisional conclusion is that you seem not to know much about science.

 

[Chesterton]

It's a loss of something special to the world... and often there's run on consequences as well.

But scientists tell us that 99% of all species that have existed have gone extinct, and I'm sorry, but there's just not enough time in my day to feel sad for all of them. I'm not totally heartless though. I'd be very sad if cows and pigs went extinct because I love a good bacon cheeseburger.

 

[BCP1928]

But scientists tell us that 99% of all species that have existed have gone extinct, and I'm sorry, but there's just not enough time in my day to feel sad for all of them. I'm not totally heartless though. I'd be very sad if cows and pigs went extinct because I love a good bacon cheeseburger.

Yes, destruction of the biosphere by our exploitation of its resources is not a problem so long as the right people are exploiting them, and so objections to that exploitation are really an attack directed at those right people. Isn't that how it goes?

 

[Chesterton]

Yes, destruction of the biosphere by our exploitation of its resources is not a problem so long as the right people are exploiting them, and so objections to that exploitation are really an attack directed at those right people. Isn't that how it goes?

"Something to be exploited" is almost the dictionary definition of a resource.

 

[Ophiolite]

But scientists tell us that 99% of all species that have existed have gone extinct, and I'm sorry, but there's just not enough time in my day to feel sad for all of them. I'm not totally heartless though. I'd be very sad if cows and pigs went extinct because I love a good bacon cheeseburger.

The current extinction rate is substantially above the norm. Many specialists assert that it is equivalent to a mass extinction. The evidence points very strongly to this being a product of human behaviour. Thus we have established ourselves as the equivalent of asteroidal impacts, gamma ray bursters, etc. in terms of our ability to destroy life on the planet. If you don't feel sorry for them, perhaps feel sorry for the generations ahead who will suffer the consequences. If you cannot feel sorry for those generations then I feel extremely sorry for you.

I think we're done.

 

[Chesterton]

The current extinction rate is substantially above the norm. Many specialists assert that it is equivalent to a mass extinction. The evidence points very strongly to this being a product of human behaviour. Thus we have established ourselves as the equivalent of asteroidal impacts, gamma ray bursters, etc. in terms of our ability to destroy life on the planet. If you don't feel sorry for them, perhaps feel sorry for the generations ahead who will suffer the consequences. If you cannot feel sorry for those generations then I feel extremely sorry for you.

I think we're done.

Alright, you're right. You've made me very sad for all the extinct species. I'm very sad. You've ruined my day. I'm considering becoming an alcoholic, and it will be your fault.

 

[Tuur]

Science without passion is somewhat pointless.

The passion, though is, or should be, over the process itself in the field of study, best summed up by "That's way cool."

 

[Lost4words]

'Fossils' were created during the great flood..this is my belief and one attested by many a scientist too.

Still, fascinating video non the less...

 

[Tuur]

The current extinction rate is substantially above the norm. Many specialists assert that it is equivalent to a mass extinction. The evidence points very strongly to this being a product of human behaviour. Thus we have established ourselves as the equivalent of asteroidal impacts, gamma ray bursters, etc. in terms of our ability to destroy life on the planet. If you don't feel sorry for them, perhaps feel sorry for the generations ahead who will suffer the consequences. If you cannot feel sorry for those generations then I feel extremely sorry for you.

Given that the worst mass extinctions have topped out at about 96% of species, with the one at the end of the Cretaceous at around 76%, equating the current extinctions with the Chicxulub impact is serious hyperbole.

Does it make me sad? Well, now, that depends. When, like most young children, I had a fascination with dinosaurs, a well meaning adult expressed sympathy that the T-Rex is extinct, I remember expressing great joy that a meat eater that size was no longer with us. I don't have much sadness at the demise of the Rocky Mountain Locust or the Saber Toothed Tiger. Now, the Passenger Pigeon is different, as humans hunted it to extinction. The Carolina Parakeet is another. Really, any species hunted to extinction, though when it comes to some North American megafauna, that sentiment starts to falter.

Due to habitat competition is more problematic. Species are displaces or destroyed as humans expand habitats, but what of habitat that beavers destroy? If some species prosper from beaver ponds, some also prosper from increased human habitat. The Norway Rat, to be sure, not something cute and cuddly, but it does seem to get along well in human habitats. So do various other wild animals. Its it bad that some species suffer and others prosper when humans alter the environment by expanding habitat, but good when done by an animal like the beaver? If so, why the bias against humans?

 

[Hans Blaster]

'Fossils' were created during the great flood..this is my belief and one attested by many a scientist too.

Still, fascinating video non the less...

How does a flood create tar?