Perspective

The Absurdity of Anthropocentrism

Man Vs. Wild: A Satirical Tale of Human Greed 

In the grand scheme of existence, who would you label as the most selfish and greedy creature? If your answer is humans, take a moment and pat yourself on the back. Yes, the same species capable of creating wonders like the pyramids, moon landings, and quantum physics also take the cake for their spectacular talent in short-sighted selfishness and unabashed greed.

Just think about it. Humans possess an uncanny knack for squeezing profit out of anything and everything, and by 'everything,' we mean even the helpless creatures around them. You see, we are masters of selective affection. We pamper what profits us and dismiss what doesn’t. It's all about the bottom line, and in this case, the literal 'line' that separates the domesticated and the wild, the profitable and the dispensable.

Take our relationship with dogs and cows as a case in point. Man’s best friend, the humble dog, is often seen as a liability unless it is a pedigree breed serving as a status symbol. Stray dogs are neutered without a second thought to control their numbers. On the other hand, cows, a goldmine of milk and meat, are artfully bred to boost their population and, in turn, our profits. The bitter irony is palpable.

Then there are our feathered 'friends' – the hens. We play puppeteers, dictating their reproductive cycles to increase egg production. It's like running a poultry assembly line where chickens are born for the sole purpose of landing on our plates, wrapped in the disguise of a 'happy meal.' Oh, the travesty!

Isn't it odd that we, the supposed apex species, conveniently ignore the terror we inflict on these creatures? How would we react if a more dominant species decided to control our population for their convenience, or forced us into strenuous reproduction for their profit? Would we appreciate such dominance? Food for thought, isn't it?

Sometimes, one cannot help but wonder whether natural disasters are nature's way of balancing the scales, of showing us who's truly in charge. Tsunamis, earthquakes, cyclones – they are the proverbial slap in the face of human arrogance, the cosmic reminder that we are not invincible. Much like our man-made missiles, they strike us, reminding us of our mortality and the respect that Mother Earth commands.

Then there's the reckless pillage of natural resources – sand, minerals, fossil fuels – our incessant urge to extract profit from the planet's entrails. It’s as if we are resolute on sawing off the branch we’re perched on, ignorant of the catastrophic fall that awaits us.

With all this laid bare, one cannot help but shake their head at the ridiculous paradox that is the human species. Blessed with unmatched intelligence, yet cursed with an insatiable greed that compels us to exploit, dominate, and harm the world we call home.

But before you tuck into that chicken dinner tonight or cheer for that new dam in your town, take a moment to ponder. What if, one day, the tables turn? What if the hens decide they’ve had enough? Or the earthquakes decide to teach us a lesson we won't forget? Would we still be so nonchalant about our actions then?

And here's the real kicker. What if the day arrives when we realize that we are not the masters of this planet, but merely guests? What then, dear reader, would become of our insatiable greed and reckless dominance?

Remember, the Earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the Earth. The choice, however, remains ours – to continue our dance of dominance or to finally learn the steps of coexistence. Choose wisely!
 

Image (c) istock.com

10-Dec-2023

More by :  P. Mohan Chandran

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