Regarding the April 10, 2008 quote (in the "pavid" word email), I have some thoughts about how it relates directly to an earlier distributed word (speciesism; March 18, 2008). Thoughts below-->
"Nothing is more humbling than to look with a strong magnifying glass at an insect so tiny that the naked eye sees only the barest speck and to discover that nevertheless it is sculpted and articulated and striped with the same care and imagination as a zebra. Apparently it does not occur to nature whether or not a creature is within our range of vision, and the suspicion arises that even the zebra was not designed for our benefit."
-Rudolf Arnheim, psychologist and author (1904-2007)
Arnheim's thoughts dovetail especially well with the definition of speciesism:
speciesism (SPEE-shee-ziz-uhm, -see-ziz-uhm) noun
The assumption of superiority of humans over other animal species,
especially to justify their exploitation.
I do believe that people generally feel as if this place (Earth) were "put" here for them and that everything residing here is for their pleasure or at their mercy. Behaving as well-mannered guests would be more suitable….and, sustainable.
