Species ranking

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LogicFTW's picture
@Thread

@Thread

Define the ranking system and it is easy.

- Ability to create? (one measure of intelligence) Humans
- Ability to dominate life? Humans (arguably, especially if we cause nuclear armageddon/climate change etc)
- Most biomass? - probably need to break this down to further detail... Plants dominate here, but a single specific "animal" species? Maybe a type of plankton.
- Most effective killers? Viruses
- Most destructive? In the last million years or so, humans by a mile.
- longest lived? Some plants and animals in the right conditions can live forever barring "violence"
- oldest species? Certainly not humans not even close. Probably some bacteria if I had to guess.

Sapporo's picture
I prefer pork, personally.

I prefer pork, personally.

Alchemy's picture
When I say rank, it is

When I say rank, it is directly connected to intelligence, and importance of the life.
For example it doesn't bother anyone to kill a fly.
The worst thing to kill being a human.
And of course even the law and government recognize this.

Sapporo's picture
Alchemy: When I say rank, it

Alchemy: When I say rank, it is directly connected to intelligence, and importance of the life.
For example it doesn't bother anyone to kill a fly.
The worst thing to kill being a human.
And of course even the law and government recognize this.

There are many millions of humans who would be bothered by the killing of a fly. Are you really unaware of that?

If the worst thing is to kill a human, why are you a Christian?

You are entitled to your opinion.

Alchemy's picture
As they would say in the

As they would say in the streets "now your talking out your neck bro" you know my exact meaning of that.. does anyone receive the death penalty for killing a fly across the entire earth... these type of things I should not have to even say...
I'm actually labeled as a Messianic Gentile which would fall under Christianity. But I learn from no congregations or churches.

I know I personally.I have the ability to kill anything, but I know how.much more meaning comes with each kill, Its no meaning to kill a fly, even tho still I don't go on fly king sprees myself lol I'll throw a spider outside bc I understand it wants to live.
If I killed a possum or any animal and did not fully make use of its entire body, I'd feel ashamed of the kill.
If I killed a man, it would always be in self defence but always hold the highest meaning in my life of all the kills.

Sheldon's picture
"As they would say in the

"As they would say in the streets "now your (sic) talking out your neck bro"

Do those "on the streets" not know how to abbreviate you are either then? It also seems you entirely missed the point Sapporo was making, unsurprisingly. You also ignored his question.

"If the worst thing is to kill a human, why are you a Christian?"

CyberLN's picture
“For example it doesn't

“For example it doesn't bother anyone to kill a fly.”

Where’s a Jain when you need ‘em?

Alchemy's picture
This is my point of over

This is my point of over education lowering natural intelligence and common sence. No offence at all, but both of these two comments, we're ridiculous and frankly down right stupid to say honestly..

Pretend Ill.hold a gun to your head in real life, im a thug who don't Bs i.will kill you if you don't choose between a human or a lady bug to kill.

What wld everyone choose lol I hate being taken down in intelligence of the conversation like this.
And having to.actually give this type of examples for well known life.facts.

Bc ppl wanna be childish and say things that have no meaning and depth in the words.
Lol damn.

Sapporo's picture
Alchemy: This is my point of

Alchemy: This is my point of over education lowering natural intelligence and common sence. No offence at all, but both of these two comments, we're ridiculous and frankly down right stupid to say honestly..

Pretend Ill.hold a gun to your head in real life, im a thug who don't Bs i.will kill you if you don't choose between a human or a lady bug to kill.

What wld everyone choose lol I hate being taken down in intelligence of the conversation like this.
And having to.actually give this type of examples for well known life.facts.

Bc ppl wanna be childish and say things that have no meaning and depth in the words.
Lol damn.

Being forced is contrary to an ability to make a choice. Ideally, I don't do things I think are immoral. I certainly do not trust a thug to respect anything I say.

Alchemy's picture
On the contrary you can be

On the contrary you can be forced to make a choice, and it's funny that in that forced situation, you will make the choice of a bug, a matter a fact I know you have killed bugs before bro, so don't be a liar or in denial. Its not a constructive way to mentaly advance.
You don't goto sleep at night worrying about the 60 bugs you've smashed in your life and even more you accidentally swallowed, be real and cut that fake talk brother.

CyberLN's picture
Alchemy, in response to my

Alchemy, in response to my post you wrote, “This is my point of over education lowering natural intelligence and common sence (sic).”

What, do you suppose, is my level of education?

Alchemy's picture
With access to the internet I

With access to the internet I'm sure it's equal to most collage grads. With a mindset to listen and conform to anything that the men labeled by the system as scientist have to say. Even tho the majority don't look into their practises which are not nearly up to par to ever be called true science.

Sheldon's picture
Alchemy "This is my point of

Alchemy "This is my point of over education lowering natural intelligence and common sence. (sic) No offence at all, but both of these two comments, we're (sic) ridiculous and frankly down right stupid to say honestly."

Oh the sheer unadulterated irony. Anyone else picturing men in white coats with restraints when they read this clown's posts?

MinutiaeAccreted's picture
@Alchemy-

@Alchemy-

For example it doesn't bother anyone to kill a fly.
The worst thing to kill being a human.
And of course even the law and government recognize this.

How quaintly naive of you. You don't even seem to realize that the ONLY reason you have this perspective is because YOU ARE A HUMAN. Governments are also comprised of humans.

How about see it from the fly's perspective? The fly would much rather that you were dead. In fact, it would love to lay babies in your dead flesh and see them eat you down to bare bones. And so, this easily proves that there is no objective way to determine the "most important" species - because otherwise, if there were something so intrinsically "special" about a human being in this universe, then wouldn't the fly also need to adhere to this idea of revering human life and respecting it above all?

Humans will protect their own... that's the only reason we prize one another over other animals. That is ENTIRELY subjective, because, by default, we see everything from the perspective of being human. But ours is not the only perspective, and as soon as you realize that, you understand that there is no intrinsic "worth" to any given organism.

Alchemy's picture
The fly has no inner thoughts

The fly has no inner thoughts lol they only feel and act as a computer program, along with the rest of nature, they're programmed as part of nature, wolves hunt, cows chew cud, none go outside there program.... plz no1 bring up some million to one odds case of a cow eating a bird or some shit lol

No other species even knows it will die. They have no perspective cuz.
So invalid comment @AccretedMinutiae

MinutiaeAccreted's picture
The fly has no inner thoughts

The fly has no inner thoughts lol they only feel and act as a computer program, along with the rest of nature, they're programmed as part of nature, wolves hunt, cows chew cud, none go outside there program.... plz no1 bring up some million to one odds case of a cow eating a bird or some shit lol

No other species even knows it will die. They have no perspective cuz.
So invalid comment @AccretedMinutiae

You don't know very much about animals. There are millions of cases of animals doing all sorts of "unexpected" things. A grown puma saving an abandoned baby chimp. Hippos working to chase or fight off crocodiles from other species being attacked. Chimps being taught sign language. Parrots being taught to speak, and even comprehend words and use them in the correct context. Crows constructing, using, and saving tools for later use. Foxes recognizing traps, and doing all sorts of crazy maneuvers and avoiding direct routes to the "bait" in order to stay safe but still win the prize. Our minds may be attuned to abstract thought, and quicker to the punch when presented with problems that require it, but by no means are animals all adhering to some "programming" that they cannot deviate from. They're just like us - their brains and personalities demonstrating the predecessors of human-level processing capabilities. If you cant see it you're blind... or an idiot.

And do you honestly think that you can simply state "They have no perspective cuz." and that this is anything nearing a comment to be taken seriously? You're the one spouting nonsense. You seem to know nothing about these things you keep speaking on as if you are some authority. I will admit I don't know much... but I know a damn sight more than you, apparently.

Alchemy's picture
In only had to read into a

In only had to read into a few sentences or less before I seen you said exactly what I said not to bring up.... ignorant shit. Talking about tiny individual cases when I'm communicating on a world scale, the minority that goes out side of natures plan has no meaning in this situation.
Like I said plz no one bring up some dumb shit like a cow eating a bird. We all know they ALL EAT GRASSS FUCK WHERE IS YOUR BRAIN. Lol
Damn no joke, hypnotized and delusional.

Sheldon's picture
Alchemy "In only had to read

Alchemy "In only had to read into a few sentences or less before I seen you said exactly what I said not to bring up.... ignorant shit. Talking about tiny individual cases when I'm communicating on a world scale, the minority that goes out side of natures plan has no meaning in this situation.
Like I said plz no one bring up some dumb shit like a cow eating a bird. We all know they ALL EAT GRASSS FUCK WHERE IS YOUR BRAIN. Lol
Damn no joke, hypnotized and delusional."

Your post is based on a no true Scotsman fallacy. Not that this will mean anything to you of course, but others will understand. You seem to absolutely revel in your ignorance, as if it's a source of prodigious pride for you. Your first sentence is a gem, comedy gold.

Alchemy's picture
In only had to read into a

In only had to read into a few sentences or less before I seen you said exactly what I said not to bring up.... ignorant shit. Talking about tiny individual cases when I'm communicating on a world scale, the minority that goes out side of natures plan has no meaning in this situation.
Like I said plz no one bring up some dumb shit like a cow eating a bird. We all know they ALL EAT GRASSS WHERE IS YOUR BRAIN. Lol
Damn no joke, its getting to the level delusional.

MinutiaeAccreted's picture
In only had to read into a

In only had to read into a few sentences or less before I seen you said exactly what I said not to bring up.... ignorant shit. Talking about tiny individual cases when I'm communicating on a world scale, the minority that goes out side of natures plan has no meaning in this situation.
Like I said plz no one bring up some dumb shit like a cow eating a bird. We all know they ALL EAT GRASSS WHERE IS YOUR BRAIN. Lol
Damn no joke, its getting to the level delusional.

Thanks for posting this crap twice so I could "Dislike" it twice. Seriously - all I could picture was that you were getting so apoplectically furious after reading my replies that you hit the submit button on your post a few too many times while your hand was vibrating in rage. Hilarious.

At any rate, you're out of your damn mind. "ignorant shit?" What the hell are you talking about? I'm talking about the FACT that animals are capable of empathy, abstract thought, show problem solving skills, etc., and display these attributes so damn often that YOU would have to be delusional to say that such things are an aberration..We're not talking about a "minority" of actions - any animal who shows the capacity utilizes these mental skills to some degree all the time. Their minds are constantly processing all variables in play at a given moment and working on the fly to adapt and overcome. Whether its running from a predator and deciding whether to jump over or duck under a log, and which of those options buys them the fastest getaway or the more chance that it stops the predator when they can't fit through or follow, or a woodpecker examining and knocking at various trees to find out which one is in the most prime condition to find a meal of bugs within... their minds do the same things you seem to want to prize so much about humans. Improvisation, problem solving, making "moral" judgments.

And let's face it... you know you didn't invent or come up with the 30.06 you say you'd use against a bear to "win." You're relying on the ingenuity of others to mete out your existence as a human. Alone and without human implements, my guess is you would DIE a slow, horrible death in the wild as you found yourself unable to hunt or provide for yourself to any level of sufficiency. Your writing style, apparent level of comprehension and the depth of thinking you've displayed in this thread inform me that you're basically "running on empty." I doubt you employ problem solving very well, you're probably not very imaginative or inventive, you sit there and do nothing but take advantage of the products of everyone else's minds and sit back thinking you're so damn smart. At least I admit and understand that I rely heavily on the work of my predecessors and ancestors, and I have a commensurate level of reverence and humility due to that fact. You apparently just pick up a gun and think it suddenly makes you a bad-ass.

LogicFTW's picture
The human brain is amazingly

The human brain is amazingly complex. Possibly the most complex thing under ~5 pounds we have ever seen. As we slowly learn more about the brain, (human or any other animal) the best analogy we can probably come up with is comparing it to a computer.

Just know that as a tool for survival in a harsh unforgiving competitive environment we call earth, computers, even super computer server farms, still lag behind even the pin size brain of an ant. But computers far exceed the human brain (in speed) when it comes to basic math. And just about all math can be simplified down to basic math. Ever wonder how a calculator calculates?

Species have been shown to have awareness of death, probably not to the level fully functioning adult humans do, but they are aware. Some animals can mourn loss of family etc.

If you want to say all animals follow a program, that's fine, I agree with you. But you must add humans to that list. We too have "computers" following program. And humans can and have been programed already in rudimentary ways by other humans. Hypnosis is one example.

Alchemy's picture
A calculator calculates in

A calculator calculates in the manner humans should be, we have only been taught the worst ways possible in school is why it seems so hard to calculate.
Counting starting at zero and ending in 9, 10 doesn't exist.
Therefore were.taught to remember things like multiplication, instead to calculate pretty bad teaching method. Leaving most people with a lack of true understanding of numbers.
Are brains are capable of blowing out a calculator in speed of math, proven by the Human calculator. He's got videos on YouTube as well. Teaching people how they should be doing math, and if you practise you to can become faster than a calculator, I've alredy done it with 11X any number with a very simple system taught by him.

Nyarlathotep's picture
Alchemy - [Our] brains are

Alchemy - [Our] brains are capable of blowing out a calculator in speed of math...

I'm skeptical that any human is capable of outperforming a Hello Kitty 4 function calculator (those shitty calculators you can find at a discount store for $1); at any of the 4 functions that calculator is designed to preform.

LogicFTW's picture
@Alchemy

@Alchemy
I actually know exactly which video you speak of. It is actually one of my favorite videos and helped awaken a renewed interest in math for me.

You are right, this guy can perform many calculations faster than a human punching numbers into a calculator. However if you free the calculator from the very slow input of humans, say, you wrote a program that told it to multiply numbers by 11, (something even a freshman in their first programing class could easily write, it could give me the first 1000 multiples in less then a second or even 10,000 in less then 1 second. And soon as we step away from simple arithmetic, the calculator crushes us. Especially when the answer needs to be expressed in a graph.

 
 

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Nyarlathotep's picture
Right; there are all sorts of

Right; there are all sorts of calculations I can do faster than some goober can punch into a calculator. That does not mean I'm faster than a calculator, it means I'm faster than the goober; and that isn't really anything to brag about.

I'm sure anyone here could do it with a specifically designed problem. Consider the problem 284532.2331 * 0.
Or 10 * 10.

Everyone here should be able to do those faster than some random person can put it into a calculator.

LostLocke's picture
For example it doesn't bother

For example it doesn't bother anyone to kill a fly.
The worst thing to kill being a human.

I disagree.
If I'm walking along and I see a random person snatch a random dog or cat and start beating and torturing it, I would come to the defense of that animal. If that requires me to cause major, maybe even life threatening, wounds to that person, so be it.

Alchemy's picture
That's 3 in a row.

That's 3 in a row.
And even you just admitted that a cats life was more important than the flys
. Bc you didn't come to the defence of a fly..
@lostLocke.
And I too.would help any animal being severely mis treated.

Alchemy's picture
Bc there was nothing you all

Bc there was nothing you all actually had to say against my "rank system" you instead lowered the intelligence level of the conversation, with foolish comments I should not hear from grown men and women who have lived past age 5. Seriously 5 year olds know better than killing people to bugs haha. C'mon y'all. I like having a good conversation, but those type comments really urke me, bc they are so foolish and you are actually lying to yourselves by not admitting what I said.
Every law around the world backs me on this. Nothing to argue when it comes to ranks/importance of life ifso yell at the government.

MinutiaeAccreted's picture
And just WHO makes those laws

And just WHO makes those laws? What creature, of what species makes those laws? So OF COURSE the laws that we make apply mostly to humans and prize ourselves above other things. Just as a deer would make laws that comprised what was best for deer if they were capable of that level of communication, abstract thought and organization. You're the one with the 5 year old's perspective, and it amazes me that you are so oblivious to the fact. People with views like yours are the ones who ruin my occasional forays into thoughts like "You know... we could probably all get along at some point, I think." Nope. Not possible when there are people as daft, obstinate and unwilling to actually think as you are. You're not "winning" anything in this thread. If anything you're embarrassing yourself with your completely sophomoric modes of thought and your atrocious writing and grammatical skills. It really "URKES" [sic] me. Dang.

MinutiaeAccreted's picture
I don't believe there is an

I don't believe there is an objective way to rank, until you establish a criteria by which to rank. For example, "intrinsically fastest", "intrinsically strongest", etc. Once the criteria is determined, then you might start to get somewhere.

Just starting out of the gate believing capacity for intelligence, or level of sentience is "the best" characteristic is terribly myopic, and because a human has pretty good reason to consider themselves operating at a high level in those characteristics, it is also terribly arrogant and conceited to name those things you know you possess as "the best." That's right - as a human, you claiming that level of "consciousness" or "intelligence" is "the best" attribute of all makes you an arrogant, conceited prick.

For let's not forget - as a human being, "you" are a giant colony of 23 trillion+ cells, the VAST MAJORITY of which operates COMPLETELY INDEPENDENTLY of the "consciousness." To put it bluntly, you aren't in control of 90+% of what goes on with your body. You get to control what you imbibe, eat and where you are at positionally... AND THAT'S ABOUT IT. Other lives within your overall body take care of everything else, and what you consider "you" (your consciousness and memories) has been given the grand privilege of getting to steer such a ship. Otherwise, your consciousness cannot be objectively shown to be more important than any other vital part of your body. No heart? Dead. No bones? Dead. No skin? Dead. No consciousness? Dead. Modern medicine can overcome some of these things to keep you alive artificially - including loss of consciousness, oddly enough. So no... you don't get to just state that "consciousness is best" or "intelligence is best." You simply can't prove this to be the case.

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