Eyes on or hands on? A discussion of human interference

[peter]

Debates about abstract things like conservation and species are not that interesting for many, PC. Maybe some in the west think so, but in most parts of the world people (have to) focus on the basics. Like surviving a day without (too much) hunger. In spite of their poverty, many care about the world they live in. But not at the cost of a life. Many thought T-24 had become a dangerous tiger and villagers were included, as he didn't only kill forests guards. T-24 visited a nearby village and didn't care too much about humans being present or not. Watch the video again. The villagers were afraid and angry for a good reason.

As to your remark on the value of human life and that of animals. What I think, I keep to myself. As co-owner of a forum, I have to consider responsability. Apart from that, I want to connect to people. Same for Sanjay. The fact is we live in a human-dominated world. Our domination is of such dimensions, that overpopulation and pollution have become very real problems threatening not only other creatures. It's in our best interest to respond and one way to get there is changing our outlook and attitude. 

This forum could contribute a bit. Not by discussing values and things like that, but by debating things connected to the issues at hand. Not by entering philosophy and politics, but by posting about those without a voice in general and big carnivores in particular. It is known they kill humans at times, but it doesn't happen often and it can be prevented in many cases. A lot depends on decisions and attitude. The debate, however, shouldn't focus on the dark side of humans and predators. 

Apex predators are forest officers, scientists, hunters and game keepers in one. If they are able to survive, it means the system is ok. If they disappear, it will collapse sooner or later. If it collapses, we too will pay. This means it's in our interest to keep 'm there. By debating their (way of) life, we learn. What we learn can be used in what has to develop into a new outlook. As we know a bit about big predators, we contribute by posting good information.

Responsability is not something forum-owners only should care about. Posters benefit from a good forum and so do readers. If we do things right, that is. The thing to remember foremost is many people consider humans as a failed experiment. They see others (as well as themselves) as greedy, shortsighted and destructive aliens completely uninterested in the destruction unfolding before our eyes. As they have no clue as how to change what they see, they flee at an ever increasing rate. Many have lost hope, that is.

We have to change our outlook and we have to do it now. Every attempt to get there, no matter how futile, could make a difference. Our forum can be regarded as an attempt to flee reality, but it also can be seen as a contribution to a new outlook. It's a glimpe into a lost world, but it also is a glimpse into the future. It depends on the intention. What I saw so far says we're on the right track. Quite many readers apparently agree. 

I propose to focus on the things we're interested in and forget about the usual things that happen when people communicate. The key words are respect and passion.  Reply