A little something about being Human...

My Inference: HUMAN BEING = PARASITE.

(criticisms, suggestions, improvements and other opinions and thoughts appreciated)

par·a·site  (pr-st)n.

1. Biology An organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a different organism while contributing nothing to the survival of its host.

a. One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.

Being a student from life-sciences background and having a profound affinity towards the subject, I thought I'd pen down some opinions about our ecosystem, its components and the vital role of various entities who in-turn aid in its functioning and sustainability..As we know - An apex predator forms the crown of the food chain. Now by Apex predator I mean a Lion in the forest or a Shark in the Sea, who are meant to be what they are. Their body and internal systems well engineered to do what they are meant to do. "Hunt their prey..Kill and Eat".But a lion would never hunt a gazelle when not hungry or neither will it kill a zebra today and store it for tomorrow..A shark wouldn't bite every boat that goes its way (like in the Jaws series) despite its ill temper if it had just finished a good load of salmons or some other assorted tasty sea-food platter that came along!

                    In fact all these predators have a very disciplined pattern of behavior and establish a near perfect order in the food chain. The plants do their work of synthesizing O2 and deriving its functional energy from the sun (primary source), a gazelle eats the plant - derives energy, the lion eats the gazelle - derives energy, all of them (put together) die one day. They all decay. The scavengers take their turn and derive energy. They all become manure to the same plants one day and the cycle goes on undisturbed. Throughout the chain we find that the energy level declines as they advance.

                  Now that I'm seriously exploring my thoughts on this 5th Grade Science topic that I've jotted elaborately above, I realized that we were missing someone. Someone who is very special to this planet and has done a lot of changes and still not found a safe enough place in the food chain. A person who can neither fit among the gazelles, nor the sharks, neither the vultures. There is a confusing person with a certain disturbing behavioral pattern who has successfully amended the food chain over the years and continues to do so with least contribution but complete exploitation in every way possible...If you have guessed that person right - I think you are the chosen one with a sense that made you guess too..Yes, We - HUMAN BEING - Homosapien.

                     Now comes my question. Where do I fit myself (human) in a food chain. I do not kill a gazelle for food. But I do it for the thrill. I decorate my dwelling with the horns of the gazelles I've hunted!

I can tame a lion to perform tricks in a circus, wherein I earn money and entertain my own kind. I know I can even kill the "King of the Forest" for I have a double barrel aimed at its head. I destroy forests and the entire plant kingdom, not for eating them, but for making fancy articles that would please me...Comfort me!

                 Human being is a mammalian without doubt. We behave and exhibit all the traits that will certify us to be called so.  Over the years we've faced a lot of change anatomically and psychologically. We've lost the tail, Gained the brains, Lost our balls (survival instincts) , yet again learnt to kill & harm, gained supremacy to spread fear. We would still qualify to be a mammal and call our-selves to be descended from the chimps, but how often do we co-exist with other mammals - Our very own ancestors? Can we establish a symbiotic relationship with plants and other animals? If yes, Why do we have separate homes? Why do we stay away from the forest? Why do we still remain insecure even among our own kind? Forget the lions and tigers...

 These thoughts were filling my head when I was just thinking about how we have evolved over so many years to be what we are now and moreover what we might become tomorrow. Now this thought struck one serious question - Where do we fit ourselves? We are an Omnivore as we are categorized (One that takes in everything available, as with the mind). We eat both plants and animals. Today, we are in the highest possible level in the food chain (above Apex Predators), without actively participating anywhere, but suppressing all the predators, life givers and preys. Given a chance we would hunt a lion and eat, if need be. Not being cynical. The below data gives the list of food that a human being has/can consume or can practically have if no choice left for survival. The below images or pictures could be disturbing. Parental Discretion Advised!

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

http://hypenc.com/2010/2010/09/22/japans-new-food-craze-human-fetus/

http://www.dailytech.com/Japanese+Make+Delicious+Nourishing+Steaks+From+Human+Feces/article21932.htm

http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/stories/steak-made-from-human-poop-passes-taste-test

http://www.canadiansealhunt.com/

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

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=680428n

Apart from all the above data comes another question- Do we really need to involve in such ridiculousness. Is it really necessary that we need to do all the above, if we still have an option of restraining ourselves, without hampering the food chain much? Do we need to experiment on everything around us? Do we need to show that we rule this planet? Who gave us this right to kill someone when we don't have rights to take our own life - which is a criminal offence in most countries? Give it a thought!

Now, to justify my lines that I had mentioned in Italics (1st para)...We do not kill an animal only when we are hungry...So we do not have a purpose to be served in the food chain, until unless we do it for our basic survival, like the lions or sharks who would starve if they don't hunt. But would we starve if we don't hunt? But we still hunt, store, preserve and what not. I am not promoting vegetarianism here if I am conveying such ideas. Most certainly NO...I myself have consumed meat. But I am just trying to ascertain as to where exactly I am applying myself in this world as an animal. Am I a Life giver...A Predator...A Scavenger...What Am I to this world, which itself is an ecosystem. The world sustains life. The earth has life. What is my role in this ecosystem?. What have I done to benefit the ecosystem? What is my stability level in the ecosystem? What have I done to sustain its balance? Nothing. In-turn I (human) have disturbed my own perimeters where I have threatened my own kind.

I have dumped enough chemicals disturbing sea life. I have come out of the forest where I once lived. I have drilled holes on my planet, on the ozone, trying to drill the moon...Have created Cancer/ AIDS and artificial organisms and threatened this world with the fear of Bio-War. Drained nuclear waste. I've Tested and dropped nuclear bombs not caring my own kind or the other. Experimented on apes and cows. I've destroyed the essence and nutrition that the rich 'flora' of my planet gives by using pesticides, altering the genes - which isn't the only option of cure left. Why do we burn fossil fuels when we know that we can take energy from the sun and water? Whom are we feeding - The Petrochemical companies? Why do so many "Environment Cautious Automobile Companies" who speak of recycling paper look at "Fuel Cell Cars" as their future and promote it right away by shunning the production of Gasoline or petrol engines? When can innovations benefiting the environment rightly and smartly be encouraged? Would it be when we our future generation can no longer survive the planet's living condition without sun-blocks and artificial suits around them to just move out? Would we wait that long?

Just THINK.....

I (human) have done enough devastation already to both mankind and plants by altering their natural growth process. I have stunted a plant for decorative reasons. Affected an entire generation of innocent souls due to my own mistakes of the past. Can we justify ourselves for the behavior that we have exhibited as the most supreme of all beings?

 

Can we proudly call ourselves Human anymore after realizing how deeply our very existence has impacted this planet and other life-forms around us. Have we known all this?

Are we better than a Pig, which is doing only one job coherently without disturbing anyone?Are we any close to the Dog, faithful and caring? Are we an elephant - Mighty and strong? Are we like a dolphin - swimming merrily in the sea? Are we the lion taking ownership of the pride?

Who are WE in the End. We are no more than a PARASITE which can be of no use to anyone but itself and sometimes not...

Define a parasite?

"a. One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return."

Just contemplate on my thoughts and redefine yourselves. I know I may have not made sense to a lot of you. But if I am making it to some, then it is by realizing what I have done as a human being like you all and by rediscovering my own-kind with shame and regret.

                                                                                                                   Naveen Parayil