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polymathwannabe comments on Crazy Ideas Thread - Less Wrong Discussion

22 Post author: Gunnar_Zarncke 07 July 2015 09:40PM

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Comment author: polymathwannabe 08 July 2015 02:47:20PM 0 points [-]

You're committing the naturalistic fallacy. There's a difference between dumb nature acting blindly and rational people making choices they know they'll be held accountable for.

However, I know I may be accused of naturalistic fallacy because I'm arguing in favor of leaving current ecosystems the way they are. While is it true that not all introduced species have been harmful, this is very difficult to predict, the specific examples being discussed are more likely to end up terribly, and historical experience with introduced species has leaned toward it being a bad idea. Humans are the ultimate invasive species, and we've been great at killing everything in our path.

Comment author: Thomas 08 July 2015 03:25:44PM *  0 points [-]

About 20000 species invaded British isles after the last ice age. Mostly with no human intervention, some with human help.

It is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Isn't it?

But this is only a thread about crazy ideas. That's all. Thought provoking, not necessary politically and/or environmentally correct thinking, for Christ sake!

Comment author: polymathwannabe 08 July 2015 03:49:02PM 3 points [-]

The record on species introduced to the British Isles is rather mixed.

The European rabbit, introduced to Britain in the 12th century, eats and therefore damages a wide variety of crops and cost the UK £263 million.

Japanese knotweed, introduced as an ornamental garden plant in the late 19th century, the roots of which spread by underground rhizomes, can undermine and damage buildings, pavements and roads, cost £179 million.

The grey squirrel is a carrier of the squirrel pox virus which kills red squirrels but not grey squirrels.

The European crayfish is susceptible to crayfish plague which is spread by the introduced signal crayfish.

Of course it looks peaceful; dead squirrels tell no tales.

Comment author: Thomas 08 July 2015 06:39:58PM 2 points [-]

dead squirrels tell no tales

Of course, it's biology. Something we should transcend. But that's another topic.

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