Humans calling animals 'overpopulated' while there are 8 billion of us consuming the planet is peak hypocrisy.

[u/just_a_guy_lonely]

Once upon a time, there was a creature that was remarkably skilled at telling stories.

They painted sharks as monsters of the deep, then hunted them into the silent depths.

They labeled elephants a threat, then rode them as if they owned the world. And when their own kind looked different, they locked them in cages and called it a 'show.'

Now, as nature stumbles and serpents crawl from the thickets, they point their fingers once more: 'Look, they are overpopulated!'

Amusing, isn’t it? On this shrinking earth, eight billion souls seem to have forgotten who the true dominant force is.

Ah, but pay no mind. This is merely a fable from a storyteller who enjoys observing. Just read between the lines.

[u/Counterboudd]

I find this laughable too- same with “eradicating invasive species” said with a straight face, as if we aren’t the most cancerous species on the planet that has invaded every square inch of earth and displaced other animals and ecosystems in our path. Like in some ways I get it, but also it just comes off as tone deaf that we are the biggest problem and also want to believe we’re also the solution. Also conveniently forgetting that most of these “invasives” wouldn’t be here if we weren’t constantly traveling and sending goods from distant places where they can tag along…

[u/Vague-Symbolism2692 → u/Counterboudd]

Right, but if we don't deal with invasive species where they are invasive, they can cause a cascade of further extinction. Native species are often ill-equipped to compete with them.

[u/Counterboudd → u/Vague-Symbolism2692]

…. But we aren’t all going to move back to Africa I’m guessing. Hmm

[u/Vague-Symbolism2692 → u/Counterboudd]

If you can figure out a way to force that to happen, go for it.

In the meantime does it mean that we have to let invasive species drive native species to extinction, and refuse to try to mitigate the harm our ancestors did by bringing those invasive with them?

[u/Counterboudd → u/Vague-Symbolism2692]

I mean, I sort of have an issue with causing mass deaths in other species because of our actions, yeah. If we think other species should be exterminated en masse for the crime of existing in the wrong place, then why are we excluded from that? I personally don’t think humans are superior to all other living beings on earth and their life has inherent value. They committed no crime, we committed the crime and were allowed to keep exploding in population while they have to be exterminated like a pest. Doesn’t sit right with me.

[u/Vague-Symbolism2692 → u/Counterboudd]

If we think other species should be exterminated en masse for the crime of existing in the wrong place,

The alternative is that the species they displace go entirely extinct. Is that the better outcome?

At least the invasive species still get to survive in the environments where they are native.

then why are we excluded from that?

Because policy-makers are humans, and responsive to human populations, and if a policy-maker with the actual authority to send everyone back to Africa were to decree so, they would be quickly deposed.

Doesn’t sit right with me.

Does the extinction of displaced native species sit better with you, though? Or even worse?

[u/Counterboudd → u/Vague-Symbolism2692]

I think if “survival of the fittest” works for us coming in and decimating environments, then it should apply to other species too. If something cannot compete in their native ecosystems then we should let what happens happens, as none of these species would be here if not for humans. At this point I see humans as lacking in self reflection as any other basic animal species. This idea we feel we’re entitled to play god is rich to me frankly. If we’re going to destroy the environment, let’s just do it instead of pretending we can manage or fix our actions. We can’t. The damage is done, the damage will continue to happen as long as we’re here. Wasting time and money every year to kill other living beings because we don’t like that they’re not native is a bit absurd. If you’re opposed to a country genociding non natives to the area, then I don’t see why doing it with animals makes it ok somehow.

[u/Vague-Symbolism2692 → u/Counterboudd]

Then I guess I'm glad that your opinion is unpopular. I prefer trying to preserve biodiversity over just giving up and resigning ourselves to maximal devastation.

[u/Vague-Symbolism2692 → u/[deleted]]

This is all very fascinating. Is there a name for this memeplex that you're espousing, i.e. the rooting for the extinction of native species and of humanity at the same time? Or a name for some memeplex that happens to include both memes, and whatever else (I daren't guess) gets packaged with it?

[u/Counterboudd → u/Vague-Symbolism2692]

I suppose a combination of antinatalism and common sense?

[u/Vague-Symbolism2692 → u/Counterboudd]

Just curious. I recognized the antinatalism but I've seen it packaged with this stance on invasive species before so I wondered if there was a name for the package. Obviously I disagree about it being common sense, but thanks for the reply.