this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2023
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[–] Slotos@feddit.nl 23 points 1 year ago (3 children)

“Superpredator” is not a scientific term. It was used as an “overconsumer” in one publication, as far as I can find, but that meaning doesn’t fit the narrative of your copypasta.
And we definitely don’t maintain domestication of other predators through our predatory ability. On the contrary, domestication and cultivation of other species is what allows us to domesticate carnivores.

We are omnivorous vindictive social apes. Don’t take that description lightly.

We also have two real superpowers:

  • We’re the only animal on the planet that can scale stable social groups into millions while being individually complex. Some glitch of ours broke cranial limitations of the group size that other primates adhere to.
  • We are the only animal to have developed languages with complex grammars. While other animals can exhibit complex signaling systems, and possibly learn grammars we develop, we effortlessly develop and learn grammars that allow us to express novel thoughts without waiting for evolution. Hell, our children develop throwaway languages as a side-effect of playing with each other.

Everything else is a consequence.

PS: Blue-green algae would like a word about that “extinction event” claim. PPS: Leave hydrogen unattended for long enough, and it will start arguing on the internet.

[–] AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

We are omnivorous vindictive social apes. Don’t take that description lightly.

That could also easily describe Chimpanzees. I realize they are one of our closest cousins, but still. The vindictive part especially. Those guys will literally tear your face and limbs off.

[–] emergencyfood@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

As people like Jared Diamond have pointed out, we are chimpanzees.

[–] AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

As I understand it, we are closer to Orangutans than Chimps. Probably a good thing, since Orangutans are far less angry than Chimps AFAIK

[–] emergencyfood@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago

Chimps are our closest (living) relatives. We both evolved in central/east Africa, while orangutans live in Southeast Asia. Also, chimps are actually two species - the large, aggressive common chimpanzee and the smaller, much less aggressive pygmy chimpanzee. Humans and chimps together form the group Hominini.

[–] elephantium@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

What does algae have to do with extinction events? It seems like you're using that as a sort of "gotcha!" line, but I don't see the connection.

[–] hrimfaxi_work@midwest.social 1 points 1 year ago

Sorry I wasn't scientific enough