NationStates Jolt Archive


So...would shouting "Human pride!" be discriminatory?

Colodia
21-07-2005, 20:09
Only to PETA, right?

Would I be accused of being a racist if I said I considered the human race superior to all other races on the planet?

Jesus, what kind of world do we live in if we have to ask these questions?
Holyawesomeness
21-07-2005, 20:13
What on earth!?!

If anyone thinks that human beings are inferior or equal to some furry, crap-eating animals they should be shot for the good of the human race.
Animals are not equal, we have no loyalty to them, the only good animals are pets such as Lassie and the like and even they are not worth as much as most humans.
Lord-General Drache
21-07-2005, 20:15
What on earth!?!

If anyone thinks that human beings are inferior or equal to some furry, crap-eating animals they should be shot for the good of the "human race".
Animals are not equal, we have no loyalty to them, the only good animals are pets such as Lassie and the like and even they are not worth as much as most humans.
One could argue that humans are not worth as much as most animals, as well.

Anyways, I don't see it as racism to display pride in a particular species. It's when said pride gets carried away and you think you're vastly superior to some/something for whatever reason, that it becomes racism.

..Colodia...what the hell do you do in your free time besides coming up with NS threads? O.o Edit: For some reason, this thread totally threw meh off, and made me stare at the screen, thinking "wtf" for a bit, while attempting to come up with an intelligible response. Damn you, man! Damn you! *shakes fist*
Kryozerkia
21-07-2005, 20:15
That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard, then again...it's PETA we're talking about here...
Sumamba Buwhan
21-07-2005, 20:19
How in the world could you consider the human animal (the only animal who is bad for nature on planet earth, as far as I know) superior to anything? How does complex thought make one superior? Maybe intellectually superior. Not physically superior to all animals though.
Neo-Anarchists
21-07-2005, 20:20
So...would shouting "Human pride!" be discriminatory?
Depends. Are there other sapient species in existence?
Colodia
21-07-2005, 20:20
One could argue that humans are not worth as much as most animals, as well.

Anyways, I don't see it as racism to display pride in a particular species.

..Colodia...what the hell do you do in your free time besides coming up with NS threads? O.o Edit: For some reason, this thread totally threw meh off, and made me stare at the screen, thinking "wtf" for a bit, while attempting to come up with an intelligible response. Damn you, man! Damn you! *shakes fist*
Well currently I use my free time to play Superpower 2. Currently my United States has taken over the entire western hemisphere, 95% of Europe, 90% of Africa, 99% of Asia, and we still haven't captured those damn Australians and their damn armed kangaroos.

As well as reading, homework, T.V., and thats about it for this summer vacation.

Yeah, the ideas just come naturally.

*pisses into the ocean*
Angry Fruit Salad
21-07-2005, 20:21
PETA eats Soylent Green...


SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!!!
Nimzonia
21-07-2005, 20:22
Would I be accused of being a racist if I said I considered the human race superior to all other races on the planet?

Who is going to be offended by it? Only those misanthropic retards in PETA.
Colodia
21-07-2005, 20:23
How in the world could you consider the human animal (the only animal who is bad for nature on planet earth, as far as I know) superior to anything? How does complex thought make one superior? Maybe intellectually superior. Not physically superior to all animals though.
Intellecutally superior in so many levels.

We conquered the planet.
We've conquered the atmosphere surrounding the planet.
We've conquered the dirt under our feet.
Lord-General Drache
21-07-2005, 20:25
Well currently I use my free time to play Superpower 2. Currently my United States has taken over the entire western hemisphere, 95% of Europe, 90% of Africa, 99% of Asia, and we still haven't captured those damn Australians and their damn armed kangaroos.

As well as reading, homework, T.V., and thats about it for this summer vacation.

Yeah, the ideas just come naturally.

*pisses into the ocean*

What's scary is your randomness reminds me of me. Except I think I'm more random (I just dun show it) and more insane (probably shows just a bit, eh?), and far more evil.

Also, if you believe humans are superior, how are they superior?
Sumamba Buwhan
21-07-2005, 20:27
thats one thing... intellectual superiority.

It's wierd though how helpless the human baby is compared to some other baby animals. Some infant animals can take care of themselves from day one.
Colodia
21-07-2005, 20:27
What's scary is your randomness reminds me of me. Except I think I'm more random (I just dun show it) and more insane (probably shows just a bit, eh?), and far more evil.

Also, if you believe humans are superior, how are they superior?
We make topics like these. ;)

You should see me in real life. I always win random battles with people.

"Fire hydrant!"
"Explosiding candy of dead flaming prostitutes!"
"Dammit I can't win this..."
Colodia
21-07-2005, 20:28
thats one thing... intellectual superiority.

It's wierd though how helpless the human baby is compared to some other baby animals. Some infant animals can take care of themselves from day one.
And yet 4...maybe even 3 years later. You can hand the child a gun and he can kill an elephant.
Sumamba Buwhan
21-07-2005, 20:32
And yet 4...maybe even 3 years later. You can hand the child a gun and he can kill an elephant.


Or himself. I wonder if any other animals kill themselves on purpose.

I searched, thinking there was a possibility but so far all I found was this: http://www.tonmo.com/articles/octosuicide.php

So the answer as far as I can see is no.

Speaking of octopuses (octopi?) - That is one amazing creature in terms of the way they can camouflage themselves by changing color and shape.
Free Soviets
21-07-2005, 20:32
Would I be accused of being a racist if I said I considered the human race superior to all other races on the planet?

not particularly, no. however, 'superiority' does have a bunch of bad baggage dragging along behind it, and depending on the context you might start to worry people like myself.
Nimzonia
21-07-2005, 20:34
Or himself. I wonder if any other animals kill themselves on purpose.

Lemmings?
Lord-General Drache
21-07-2005, 20:40
We make topics like these. ;)

You should see me in real life. I always win random battles with people.

"Fire hydrant!"
"Explosiding candy of dead flaming prostitutes!"
"Dammit I can't win this..."

Heh..I've done that. Also did had an MSN screen name war that resulted in my having a paragraph long s/n. Eventually, my friends pretty much petitioned me to change it. lol

But..really..Do you have any reasons for thinking humans superior, or are you just trying to provoke a debate, eh?
Colodia
21-07-2005, 20:40
Or himself. I wonder if any other animals kill themselves on purpose.
The mates of female black widow spiders allow themselves to be their mates' lunch in exchange for the passing of their genetic traits.
Sumamba Buwhan
21-07-2005, 20:44
I edited that post about animal suicide.

Lemmings is a 'no' apparently - they dont kill themselves on purpose so it's not considered suicide.

heres the info contained in my edit and they mention lemmings and spiders...

I searched, thinking there was a possibility but so far all I found was this: http://www.tonmo.com/articles/octosuicide.php

So the answer as far as I can see is no.

Speaking of octopuses (octopi?) - That is one amazing creature in terms of the way they can camouflage themselves by changing color and shape.
Sumamba Buwhan
21-07-2005, 20:49
Besides. I can prove conclusively that human beings are not superior to any other creature. Humans are the only ones (on this planet) to have come up with politics and religion. Case closed :p
Colodia
21-07-2005, 20:51
I edited that post about animal suicide.

Lemmings is a 'no' apparently - they dont kill themselves on purpose so it's not considered suicide.

heres the info contained in my edit and they mention lemmings and spiders...

I searched, thinking there was a possibility but so far all I found was this: http://www.tonmo.com/articles/octosuicide.php

So the answer as far as I can see is no.

Speaking of octopuses (octopi?) - That is one amazing creature in terms of the way they can camouflage themselves by changing color and shape.
We can do that.

Camoflauge outfits. Used by the military quite often.
Clown suits.
Make up.
Plastic surgery.
Chicken suits.


The list goes on.
Rebecacaca
21-07-2005, 20:54
Would I be accused of being a racist if I said I considered the human race superior to all other races on the planet?
No.

You may however be accused of being a specist. Check your definitions.

defn. race (http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=1fxxvv5c0712d?tname=race-1&method=6&sbid=lc03a)
Sumamba Buwhan
21-07-2005, 20:56
We can do that.

Camoflauge outfits. Used by the military quite often.
Clown suits.
Make up.
Plastic surgery.
Chicken suits.


The list goes on.


barely - octopi are still far superior still in terms of camoflauge. They don't need any equipment and can blend into their surroundings with no chance of you telling the difference between them and the plant they are pretending to be. human camo sucks comparitavely.

EDIT: well thats not entirely true. The japanese are working on a suit that is a lot like thermoptics from the movie Ghost In The Shell.
Colodia
21-07-2005, 20:58
barely - octopi are still far superior still in terms of camoflauge. They don't need any equipment and can blend into their surroundings with no chance of you telling the difference between them and the plant they are pretending to be. human camo sucks comparitavely.
Well that sucks. Octopi's only purpose is to hide and be turned into hentai tentacle monsters by the Japanese.
Sumamba Buwhan
21-07-2005, 21:02
Well that sucks. Octopi's only purpose is to hide and be turned into hentai tentacle monsters by the Japanese.

Check out these vids:

http://projects.star.t.u-tokyo.ac.j...ages/mirror.mpg
http://projects.star.t.u-tokyo.ac.j...images/oc-s.mpg
http://projects.star.t.u-tokyo.ac.j.../oc-okugai3.mpg
http://projects.star.t.u-tokyo.ac.j...es/oc-wired.mpg


WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and LOL at their puspose... seriously - what is the purpose that humans have? Are you talking about a self-appointed purpose or what?
Free Soviets
21-07-2005, 21:03
Well that sucks. Octopi's only purpose is to hide and be turned into hentai tentacle monsters by the Japanese.

but, as i'm sure letila will be around to mention shortly, tentacle monsters beat rock, paper, and scissors
Nimzonia
21-07-2005, 21:24
barely - octopi are still far superior still in terms of camoflauge. They don't need any equipment and can blend into their surroundings with no chance of you telling the difference between them and the plant they are pretending to be. human camo sucks comparitavely.

EDIT: well thats not entirely true. The japanese are working on a suit that is a lot like thermoptics from the movie Ghost In The Shell.

The difference between humans and any other species, is that while most species can do ONE thing very well, humans can contrive a means to do pretty much ANYTHING, often significantly better than any other species (unless you can find a bird that flies at mach 3, etc).
Sumamba Buwhan
21-07-2005, 21:28
The difference between humans and any other species, is that while most species can do ONE thing very well, humans can contrive a means to do pretty much ANYTHING, often significantly better than any other species (unless you can find a bird that flies at mach 3, etc).

Thats quite true but my point is that all those things are because of one factor: intellect. Those birds that fly at Mach3 are sure hard to catch!

just playing devils advocate here
Holyawesomeness
21-07-2005, 21:34
Humans are superior because we judge which species is superior. Judging against ourselves has no benefit and even detriment because now we have to defer to the new superior species while judging for our species being superior comes with the advantage of not having to care about creatures that do not belong to our species(such as cattle, pigs, chickens and all of the other creatures we eat).
Colodia
21-07-2005, 21:37
Thats quite true but my point is that all those things are because of one factor: intellect. Those birds that fly at Mach3 are sure hard to catch!

just playing devils advocate here
Just be being a smartass. We have plenty of military planes to catch those birds on our windshields on. :D
Sumamba Buwhan
21-07-2005, 21:42
Humans are superior because we judge which species is superior. Judging against ourselves has no benefit and even detriment because now we have to defer to the new superior species while judging for our species being superior comes with the advantage of not having to care about creatures that do not belong to our species(such as cattle, pigs, chickens and all of the other creatures we eat).

or step on or poison or decimate their habitat...

Thats a good point. It's all about what you identify with personally I guess. I believe that those who see themselves as connected to everything and not above it all are more inclined to care more about animals, the environment and such.
Holyawesomeness
21-07-2005, 21:45
or step on or poison or decimate their habitat...

Thats a good point. It's all about what you identify with personally I guess. I believe that those who see themselves as connected to everything and not above it all are more inclined to care more about animals, the environment and such.
Right, but being for your species is like being for your country. Certainly I can see how you might wish for your country or species to get along and play together with the other countries or species but when the chips fall you are ultimately going to be loyal to your group not to any other.
Poliwanacraca
21-07-2005, 21:50
Intellecutally superior in so many levels.

We conquered the planet.
We've conquered the atmosphere surrounding the planet.
We've conquered the dirt under our feet.

...and we're doing a great job of ruining all of the above. Boy, does that display intelligence!

Seriously, though, I think it's silly to consider Homo sapiens "superior" to any other species. It's too vague a term. Elephants are bigger, gorillas are stronger, eagles have better vision, tortoises live longer, leopards are faster, and cockroaches will outlast us all. So what? Every species has its talents and its failings, just like every race, every person, and everything in general. I'm not offended by hearing someone say "humans are better than animals" - I simply think it's a pointless and meaningless statement (not to mention incorrect, seeing as humans are animals).
Sumamba Buwhan
21-07-2005, 21:52
Right, but being for your species is like being for your country. Certainly I can see how you might wish for your country or species to get along and play together with the other countries or species but when the chips fall you are ultimately going to be loyal to your group not to any other.


For some yeah. For too many actually. Nationalism, Racism, Specism (?) is all the same in my book: double plus ungood.
Nimzonia
21-07-2005, 23:17
...and we're doing a great job of ruining all of the above. Boy, does that display intelligence!

I'm fed up with hearing that crap.

Humans are the only species on the planet who care about the environment and make deliberate attempts to repair it - most, if not all animal species would mindlessly destroy it, if it weren't for the fact that something usually kills them before they are capable of doing so.

If there were the same population checks on republicans, the environment would be pristeen.
Bolol
21-07-2005, 23:26
I do not see how having pride as a human would be discriminatory, in any way;

-We are all human, as such there is no one to insult.

-Humans are the only intelligent species on the planet. Animals, being for the most part non-sentient, would have no concept of "pride" and as such, would not be insulted.

I DO see however, how having human pride would be incredibly stupid;

-We are the only intelligent species on the planet. We have nothing to compare ourselves to. What's the point?

-Pride itself...IS STUPID!

Thank you...
Undelia
21-07-2005, 23:39
Humans are the only species on the planet who care about the environment and make deliberate attempts to repair it - most, if not all animal species
Yeah, but we usually screw that up. If you don’t believe me, research the history of Yellowstone, quite amusing.
Ashmoria
21-07-2005, 23:40
Only to PETA, right?

Would I be accused of being a racist if I said I considered the human race superior to all other races on the planet?

Jesus, what kind of world do we live in if we have to ask these questions?
yeah i guess you would be "racist". but i dont think its a big deal since those you would presumably be dissing dont understand human language so its impossible to offend them.

when did we start having to ask this question???
Undelia
21-07-2005, 23:41
yeah i guess you would be "racist". but i dont think its a big deal since those you would presumably be dissing dont understand human language so its impossible to offend them.
Yeah, those PETA freaks obviously don’t speak English. You ever try to talk to one? They apparently speak loon. :p
The Silver Sky
21-07-2005, 23:53
Yeah, those PETA freaks obviously don’t speak English. You ever try to talk to one? They apparently speak loon. :p
Well, of course, your talking about the people that compared chickens being taken to the salughter house to Jews being sent to the gaschambers in WW2...
Eutrusca
21-07-2005, 23:54
"So...would shouting "Human pride!" be discriminatory?"

Only in a crowded theatre. ;)
Undelia
21-07-2005, 23:57
Well, of course, your talking about the people that compared chickens being taken to the salughter house to Jews being sent to the gaschambers in WW2...

No, no, no. You simply don’t understand Loon. What they were actually saying was, “We can’t come up with any real argument to force our beliefs on others, so you’re all Nazis.”
Emmitia
22-07-2005, 00:07
Ok, let's assume for a second that humanity is equal to all other forms of animals out there.

Let's ignore for the fact that we are using, to defend human superiority or go against it, linguistics and language - written language - which is a purely human invention. Let's ignore the fact as well that aliens might have a written language, we don't know if they exist, if they use written language, so on so forth.

So - some of us are defending the animals with something that has been developed solely by humanity.

Let's first define superiority if we're going to argue it:

(Note: Superiority directed back towards superior.)

For brevity, I'll only list the applicable definitions, though if someone wishes to challenge me, I'll copy down all of them. This is from the Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of The English Language, by the way:

Superior -

2- Above the average in excellence, intelligence, etc.;

3- Of higher grade or quality

7 - Higher in place or position

Synonyms: excellent, distinguished, unrivaled, firstrate, matchless

I will concede that animals have us physically. We're smaller than the elephant, slower than the tiger or cheetah, weaker than the bear, more fragile than a boar, we succumb to the elements easily. Yes, we're not strong physically.

BUT. We have intelligence.

Somewhere, someone came up with the idea that sharp things pierce the skin of other animals better and quicker than dull objects. So, he got a bone, and he sharpened it, or a stone and he sharpened it. He was now more deadly. Then, someone figured out that if you get a bendable stick, and attach animal sinew or tied plants to both ends so that the string was tight, and put that sharp object on the string and let go that it'd pierce the skin of the animal you were trying to hit.

So, now the human, despite having now claws, could MAKE claws, and despite the fact that he wasn't quick, he didn't need to be, because he fired weapons from far away.

Then, he was cold. He saw the fire warmed him up, and he figured out to make his own. The rain put it out, so he built shelter. Etc..etc..

There's something to be said about the human race: adaptation. Human beings are perhaps the best creatures in the world at adaptation. From the mountains of Nepal to the deserts of Arabia to the steppes of Russia and America, and their jungles, Humanity has lived on. The majority of other animals, if not all of them, cannot do that. An animal that lives in the Serengeti cannot live in the jungles or on mountains.

Let's take an army. It's an odd comparison - I know, but follow me for a second. You have two armies. One of them is going to represent the animals. They're huge, ferocious, beastlike, but they're in a horde with no organization. The other represents the humans. They're smaller. They're not as ferocious. But, they stand together and can adapt to situations and developments. The humans, decidedly, have an advantage.

Our superiority isn't only in our intelligence, it's also in our natural abilities. We can adapt, we can survive all over the Earth. We don't have claws, we don't have fangs, we don't have venom, but we can stay alive nigh anywhere. And, better yet, what we need, we can take off of the other animals.

Someone here presented the fact that animals did not kill themselves, and seemed to present it as a fact that animals were in fact better than human beings.

Look at this for a second.

Animals (and by animals, it's assumed that we're excluding homosapian), especially the more primitive of animals (e.g. reptiles, insects) are instinct driven. Some animals, of course, such as the dolphin and ape, are more advanced, but all of them go right back to the basics of survival. The animals do not kill themselves, assuming that there has been no evidence to the contrary and they do kill themselves, because they are driven by instinct. Humans, on the other hand, are less in the grasp of instinct, and so, are able to.

The point is: Animals are too primitive to contemplate the idea of suicide because it would go against their instincts to propogate their species.

Another person made a comment that humanity is superior because we judge what is superior. I believe that is true. We all use human, purely human, invented by human, qualifiers and descriptions to document these animals in our minds. We use language to talk about these animals and their features. So, when you argue about the equality or inferiority of the human race to non-human animals, you are using things invented by mankind to do that.

"For some yeah. For too many actually. Nationalism, Racism, Specism (?) is all the same in my book: double plus ungood."

Everything in that sentence was created by humanity. The written language used to write down our thoughts and our ideas was created by humanity. The ideas of nationalism, racism and specism are human concepts of superiority and inferiority. Double-plus-ungood is a phrase coined by a human as an element to describe contact between masses of humans brought together for a common good, known as a nation, and between ideas of Communism and Capitalism, which are human as well.

The point? How does one undermine the superiority of humanity, using the very tools humanity used to become superior to other animals?

In conclusion: The Elephant may be larger than us; but he can be shot with a rifle made by mankind. The tiger and cheetah may be faster, but human-made cars and vehicles can travel faster and longer. The bear may be stronger, but machines made by humanity can lift more and deliver more strength to the fragile bones and muscles of humanity. The tiger may live in jungles, the cheetah in the plains, the elephant in the deserts, and the bear in the forests, but humanity can live in all of those places.

Humanity may be destroying the environment, but there is an incredibly good chance that most animals are not aware of the environment outside of their own vision or territory. We are conscious of it, of what we are doing.
Holyawesomeness
22-07-2005, 00:35
<snip>
That was a very good argument, it may have been long but it was very well thought out. More importantly, it supported my position that humans are better than animals. So I would like to say to the Animal kingdom(excluding humans) "We are better than you are, ha ha, losers"

That is all I need to say, I think.
Colodia
22-07-2005, 01:15
We need symbols. Who can make up a human power symbol? :D
Emmitia
22-07-2005, 01:16
I can try!
Sumamba Buwhan
22-07-2005, 01:24
Here's one:

http://www.hauntworld.com/OnlineStore/images/hpi-cat2004/croc-hunting-l.jpg

oh wait :p
Ferdun
22-07-2005, 01:29
Well, it's PETA... they are a bunch of crap...

All of you PETA followers should go watch some nice Penn & Teller and be enlightened.
Emmitia
22-07-2005, 01:29
Here's one:

http://www.hauntworld.com/OnlineStore/images/hpi-cat2004/croc-hunting-l.jpg

oh wait :p

It'd be witty if it actually showed a human killed by an animal. Being that it's a MAN-MADE prop, it kinda takes away the edge. :p
Coppertamia
22-07-2005, 02:01
We aren't superior. We have simply seperated ourselves from nature. If anything, we are lesser because we don't contribute anything to the circle of life besides dystroying it.

Now, don't get me wrong. I hate PETA as much as you do. These are my beliefs, and I don't want any flaming or name calling. I get enough of that in real life.
Mt-Tau
22-07-2005, 02:03
Only to PETA, right?

Would I be accused of being a racist if I said I considered the human race superior to all other races on the planet?

Jesus, what kind of world do we live in if we have to ask these questions?

:D

Funny, yet the term petard's use is specieist. It would be so much more funny if it weren't so damned sad that they beleave it.
Colodia
22-07-2005, 02:12
We aren't superior. We have simply seperated ourselves from nature. If anything, we are lesser because we don't contribute anything to the circle of life besides dystroying it.

Now, don't get me wrong. I hate PETA as much as you do. These are my beliefs, and I don't want any flaming or name calling. I get enough of that in real life.
...And what do animals contribute?

Besides shitting all over the floor and the plants adapted to that to use it as fertilizer. So basically the animals really don't do anything.

WE actually do stuff for the enviornment. Just that we do more harm than good. But we do do good.

*recycles*

There. The average human good deed has just risen above all the animals that have ever existed on Earth.
Basilicata Potenza
22-07-2005, 02:17
That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard, then again...it's PETA we're talking about here...

I've got nothing against PETA. Colodia- Animals contrubute a lot... like MEAT maybe, I mean unless the meat you're eating is human flesh, which is cannibalism and is illegal.
Colodia
22-07-2005, 02:22
I've got nothing against PETA. Colodia- Animals contrubute a lot... like MEAT maybe, I mean unless the meat you're eating is human flesh, which is cannibalism and is illegal.
Oh God WHY do I have to be hungry NOW?!!?!?
Lord-General Drache
22-07-2005, 02:25
Oh God WHY do I have to be hungry NOW?!!?!?
Know what's funny? I read that, and I'm still hungry.
Gymoor II The Return
22-07-2005, 03:20
No.

You may however be accused of being a specist. Check your definitions.

defn. race (http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=1fxxvv5c0712d?tname=race-1&method=6&sbid=lc03a)

Only if you were being discriminatory towards a member of the hominid genus not of the homo sapiens variety (of which none currently exist.)

Genusist? Familyist? Orderist?

Anyway, as a genetically engineered dolphin, I find this whole thread insulting.

Oh yeah, everything pees in the ocean. Animals just have the sense to spread it out a bit.
Sumamba Buwhan
22-07-2005, 03:25
It'd be witty if it actually showed a human killed by an animal. Being that it's a MAN-MADE prop, it kinda takes away the edge. :p


yah *ashamed*
I was actually searching for a picture of a man with a gun and his foot placed triumphantly upon a dead animal of some sort but found this first and decided the anti-thesis of what he was asking for suited my devils advocate position better.
Comedy Option
22-07-2005, 03:42
Octopodes people.

(Edit: Plural)
Emmitia
22-07-2005, 03:46
Octopodes people.

(Edit: Plural)

Holy crap! That's the plural of Octopus?

yah *ashamed*
I was actually searching for a picture of a man with a gun and his foot placed triumphantly upon a dead animal of some sort but found this first and decided the anti-thesis of what he was asking for suited my devils advocate position better.

While it wasn't exactly for or against human superiority, it still kinda made it meaningless because it was a manmade prop. Photoshop a picture of a deer holding a gun with his hoof on a dead hunter or something. We'd get a kick out of that. :D
Comedy Option
22-07-2005, 03:54
Holy crap! That's the plural of Octopus?
Indeed it is, sir. Pip-pip tallyho rodger-willy-johnson old chum.
Emmitia
22-07-2005, 03:58
Indeed it is, sir. Pip-pip tallyho rodger-willy-johnson old chum.

According to Webster's Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language, the plural can either be Octopuses or Octopi.

Wouldn't it be Octopi, because it comes from Latin? Octo - eight, pedes - feet. And since it ends in -us, the second declension masculine..it'd go into -i in the plural.
Poliwanacraca
22-07-2005, 03:59
I'm fed up with hearing that crap.

Humans are the only species on the planet who care about the environment and make deliberate attempts to repair it - most, if not all animal species would mindlessly destroy it, if it weren't for the fact that something usually kills them before they are capable of doing so.

If there were the same population checks on republicans, the environment would be pristeen.

Look at it this way - there's another thread currently questioning which is stupider, a person who is too foolish to know better than to do something dumb or a person who knows better and does it anyway. This question could just as well be used to compare humans and other animals.

That being said, an interesting point regarding the intelligence issue - does anyone remember the "proof" several decades ago that black people were inherently less intelligent than white people? This was "proven" by showing that black people scored lower than white people.....on IQ tests designed exclusively by white people. Amazing how that works...

So, yes, obviously, by any human standard of intelligence, humans are smarter than any other species. But who can say how we'd score on tests designed by dolphins? ;)

(Note: Before anyone else flames me, I'd like to note that I don't particularly believe that dolphins or any other animal species are likely to be more intelligent than humans. It's just something to think about.)
Comedy Option
22-07-2005, 04:04
According to Webster's Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language, the plural can either be Octopuses or Octopi.

Wouldn't it be Octopi, because it comes from Latin? Octo - eight, pedes - feet. And since it ends in -us, the second declension masculine..it'd go into -i in the plural.No, it's Ocotopodes. :)
Look at it this way - there's another thread currently questioning which is stupider, a person who is too foolish to know better than to do something dumb or a person who knows better and does it anyway. This question could just as well be used to compare humans and other animals.

That being said, an interesting point regarding the intelligence issue - does anyone remember the "proof" several decades ago that black people were inherently less intelligent than white people? This was "proven" by showing that black people scored lower than white people.....on IQ tests designed exclusively by white people. Amazing how that works...

So, yes, obviously, by any human standard of intelligence, humans are smarter than any other species. But who can say how we'd score on tests designed by dolphins? ;)

(Note: Before anyone else flames me, I'd like to note that I don't particularly believe that dolphins or any other animal species are likely to be more intelligent than humans. It's just something to think about.)
Humans are smarter than dolphins. BUT ARE WE HAPPIER? ;)
Emmitia
22-07-2005, 04:06
Look at it this way - there's another thread currently questioning which is stupider, a person who is too foolish to know better than to do something dumb or a person who knows better and does it anyway. This question could just as well be used to compare humans and other animals.

That being said, an interesting point regarding the intelligence issue - does anyone remember the "proof" several decades ago that black people were inherently less intelligent than white people? This was "proven" by showing that black people scored lower than white people.....on IQ tests designed exclusively by white people. Amazing how that works...

So, yes, obviously, by any human standard of intelligence, humans are smarter than any other species. But who can say how we'd score on tests designed by dolphins? ;)

(Note: Before anyone else flames me, I'd like to note that I don't particularly believe that dolphins or any other animal species are likely to be more intelligent than humans. It's just something to think about.)

Yes, it may be biased that animals are considered dumb by human tests - but remember that we're talking about the human definition of intelligence here.

There's a nasty thing that comes up to bite translators in the ass when they're translating languages, which is what they do some of the time. It's a characteristic of languages, especially ones not linked very much together, that there are words which really cannot be explained in the target language. There was a study on the top ten least translatable words in all of lingustics. Some of the words stood for whole phrases in English, and STILL didn't even get down the gist of it!

The point is: when we're measuring animals by the HUMAN standard of intelligence, what intelligence means to us, it's fair that we use our own tests on them, because they measure our own idea of intelligence.

By the way - I sincerely doubt that "whitey" designed the tests to prove that blacks were less intelligent.

(As for the dolphins, you're not a Douglas Adams fan, are you? :p )
Comedy Option
22-07-2005, 04:14
Yes, it may be biased that animals are considered dumb by human tests - but remember that we're talking about the human definition of intelligence here.

There's a nasty thing that comes up to bite translators in the ass when they're translating languages, which is what they do some of the time. It's a characteristic of languages, especially ones not linked very much together, that there are words which really cannot be explained in the target language. There was a study on the top ten least translatable words in all of lingustics. Some of the words stood for whole phrases in English, and STILL didn't even get down the gist of it!

The point is: when we're measuring animals by the HUMAN standard of intelligence, what intelligence means to us, it's fair that we use our own tests on them, because they measure our own idea of intelligence.

By the way - I sincerely doubt that "whitey" designed the tests to prove that blacks were less intelligent.

(As for the dolphins, you're not a Douglas Adams fan, are you? :p )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Words_hardest_to_translate
Emmitia
22-07-2005, 04:21
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Words_hardest_to_translate

That's the one.
Poliwanacraca
22-07-2005, 04:22
(As for the dolphins, you're not a Douglas Adams fan, are you? :p )

Indeed I am, and thought of that wonderful passage involving the proof that humans are smarter than dolphins (or vice versa...) when I was writing my post... :D

As for the original IQ tests "proving" that black people were less intelligent, google "The Bell Curve" sometime. I promise I didn't make it up. It wasn't a vast white conspiracy or anything, though - just a few people who extrapolated from data things that really couldn't be accurately extrapolated.
Holyawesomeness
22-07-2005, 04:23
Well, our measure of intelligence is better than their measure of intelligence. If the animals disagree then we can shoot/nuke them. We are the owners of the Earth, we carved our society out of its bones while they are forced into a little niche that could be destroyed with a little change in the workings of the ecosystem. We are the powerful ones and there is nothing the stupid little animals can do about that. :p
Fernyland
22-07-2005, 04:26
Humans are intelligent, sentient and so on. Many believe we have souls and animals don't, but keeping religion out of this thread i wont go there :p .

I wouldn't say superior. we have the above, but define superior.

we should still respect other life. we shouldn't go around destroying the environment, factory farming or performing unnescesary animal experiments, blood sports etc. I don't think animals are so equal that we should all be vegan (i'm veggie, but i think its like religeon, you have to choose to be, i don't overly approve of PETA's conversion stance, although i don't disapprove either), but they do deserve respect and protection.
Sino
22-07-2005, 04:28
If humans aren't superior, we would be here. Instead, we're the ones fending off the animals that feed on us. I therefore wholeheartedly agree with "Human Pride!"
Sumamba Buwhan
22-07-2005, 04:54
Holy crap! That's the plural of Octopus?

No, It's octopi or octopuses - though i do love the sound of octopode



While it wasn't exactly for or against human superiority, it still kinda made it meaningless because it was a manmade prop. Photoshop a picture of a deer holding a gun with his hoof on a dead hunter or something. We'd get a kick out of that. :D

your wrong. quit being wrong.
Emmitia
22-07-2005, 05:00
your wrong. quit being wrong.

You're a cunning linguist, Sumamba.
The wourld i live in
22-07-2005, 05:35
WAAAAAAAAAAHHH! but bunnys are cuter than us
Holyawesomeness
22-07-2005, 05:46
WAAAAAAAAAAHHH! but bunnys are cuter than us
I wonder what bunny tastes like. :)
Emmitia
22-07-2005, 06:02
I wonder what bunny tastes like. :)

I've had rabbit before. It tastes good. Just because it's cute, doesn't mean it can't be eaten. :D
Hakartopia
22-07-2005, 08:48
I've had rabbit before. It tastes good.

As do kittens. Morbo will now eat all Earth-kittens, defeating you puny humans!
Lanquassia
22-07-2005, 08:52
Just to clarify, I am a member of the Saddleback College Chapter of PETA.

A PETA, at least: People for the Eating of Tasty Animals.

Our motto is: Save A Tree! Eat a Beaver.
Sino
22-07-2005, 08:54
Just to clarify, I am a member of the Saddleback College Chapter of PETA.

A PETA, at least: People for the Eating of Tasty Animals.

Our motto is: Save A Tree! Eat a Beaver.

LOL! Very witty!
Lanquassia
22-07-2005, 08:55
LOL! Very witty!

Isn't it? I steal from the best :D
Wonsmos
22-07-2005, 09:03
Or himself. I wonder if any other animals kill themselves on purpose.

What about lemmings?
SuperFerret
22-07-2005, 09:19
I can't see how we can be that superior to animals since we're the ones that have decided 'oh, I know, lets destroy this place and kill everything' whilst they just get along, haven't built guns, weaponry etc and haven't tried to completely dominate and dictate the way we live. In my eyes, humans are just the same as everything else. Animals are a lot more civilised than us (except for maybe the crapping part but it depends which animals you're on about).

I'm definitely not a Christian but I do know that in Luke Chp12 it says that God takes care of the sparrows even though they don't play a significant part of our lives so of course "he'll" take more care of us. My point is that, if you believe in God, then surely you can realise that God wants equality and takes time to recognise everyone, even the sparrows. However, if 'He' wants equality then he's done a pretty bad job at it. Discrimination is vital to being a Christian but hey, who cares since we are better than the animals....

Ok, rant over...
Laerod
22-07-2005, 09:43
Meh, my opinion: You wouldn't be racist, but specieist. Then again, we have proven to be masters of this world, though ants and cockroaches seem willing to share...
Gymoor II The Return
22-07-2005, 10:01
This will all be moot when the apes take over.
New Fubaria
22-07-2005, 11:16
You might upset the dolphins, gorillas, chimps and orangutans! :p
Sino
22-07-2005, 11:29
If one takes pride in his race (without actually ridiculing or discriminating other races), then such behavior would not be offensive. Do I piss you off if I shout "Chinese pride!"?

"Human pride!" is useful only if the inferior animals can understand our words fully.
Liskeinland
22-07-2005, 13:29
Depends. Are there other sapient species in existence? They are filthy aliens, and they deserve to be destroyed for arrogating the galaxy which is not theirs. Man's place is in the stars, not the alien's.
Look not at the alien, listen not to the alien, speak not unto the alien!

;) Just saying all that because, at the moment, I can.
Undelia
22-07-2005, 13:40
Do I piss you off if I shout "Chinese pride!"?
Yes. :D
Sino
22-07-2005, 13:44
Yes. :D

Somehow, it's perfectly alright for White people to express pride in their race.
New Fubaria
22-07-2005, 13:54
Somehow, it's perfectly alright for White people to express pride in their race.
You're kidding right? Whites, possible above all others, get labelled as racists, supremacists and Nazis if they express pride in their race...
Undelia
22-07-2005, 13:54
Somehow, it's perfectly alright for White people to express pride in their race.

It was a joke, dude. Lighten up, and remember never to leave a rhetorical question lying around when I am also around. Besides, I see more white self-hate than white pride. Personally, I could care less about my race, because I’m a mutt.
Colodia
22-07-2005, 17:32
I can't see how we can be that superior to animals since we're the ones that have decided 'oh, I know, lets destroy this place and kill everything' whilst they just get along, haven't built guns, weaponry etc and haven't tried to completely dominate and dictate the way we live. In my eyes, humans are just the same as everything else. Animals are a lot more civilised than us (except for maybe the crapping part but it depends which animals you're on about).
:rolleyes:

Animals don't give a flying fuck about the enviornment. We have hippies do that for our entire race. Thus our average nice-to-the-enviornment level is significantly higher than any animal species that have ever existed.

I'm definitely not a Christian
To be honest, I didn't read much further because I think the rest was absolutely pointless.
Sino
22-07-2005, 23:57
You're kidding right? Whites, possible above all others, get labelled as racists, supremacists and Nazis if they express pride in their race...

It would be acceptable if they show their pride in a way that is proud of their cultural and technological achievements (like their numerous inventions and ushering in the Industrial Age). However, there's always idiots that step over the line and take up the White supremacist stance. It is perfectly normal for a Briton feel as part of the credit for his country's initiation of the Industrial Revolution, as long as he does not laugh at the poor African countries and dismiss their people as subhuman for having yet to industrialize.
Dicohead
23-07-2005, 00:13
I think that we, humans, should when we can make meat in labs, and can replace the functions of most insects...

KILL ALL ANIMALS

GOD DEMN I HATE THEM

And i hate dogs, shit on the street, god demnet next time i step in doggy doo, i am going to take my gun and kill my neighbours dog, and my neighbour..

Possibly my friends parrot :sniper: :sniper: :sniper:
Sino
23-07-2005, 00:16
It's your fault that you don't keep your eyes peeled and stepped on a 'land mine'. If there are dogs about in a city, always keep your goddamn eyes open.
Dicohead
23-07-2005, 00:23
It's your fault that you don't keep your eyes peeled and stepped on a 'land mine'. If there are dogs about in a city, always keep your goddamn eyes open.

Hope a dog, or other animal shits you in the face :headbang:
Sino
23-07-2005, 00:26
Hope a dog, or other animal shits you in the face :headbang:

It won't happen. I almost never go near animals.
Dicohead
23-07-2005, 00:33
It won't happen. I almost never go near animals.

okey, good for you........... :)
New Fubaria
23-07-2005, 02:17
It would be acceptable if they show their pride in a way that is proud of their cultural and technological achievements (like their numerous inventions and ushering in the Industrial Age). However, there's always idiots that step over the line and take up the White supremacist stance. It is perfectly normal for a Briton feel as part of the credit for his country's initiation of the Industrial Revolution, as long as he does not laugh at the poor African countries and dismiss their people as subhuman for having yet to industrialize.
I agree - there are idiots in every race, creed and religion...
Sino
24-07-2005, 00:52
I agree - there are idiots in every race, creed and religion...

'Tis a pity how the idiots and radicals have greater publicity.
Magnus Maha
24-07-2005, 01:04
wow has anybody ever noticed that some people say things that are quite obviously smartass comments then somebody takes it seriously...why?
Comedy Option
24-07-2005, 01:23
wow has anybody ever noticed that some people say things that are quite obviously smartass comments then somebody takes it seriously...why?
Because the internet is a beautiful unique snowflake.
Jibea
24-07-2005, 01:35
How in the world could you consider the human animal (the only animal who is bad for nature on planet earth, as far as I know) superior to anything? How does complex thought make one superior? Maybe intellectually superior. Not physically superior to all animals though.

I am superior to [almost] all. I can take on [almost] any man/woman/child/extraterrestrial/insect/living thing/inanimate object.

NSers, Blinky, and Grim are my equals. The mods {MAYBE} possibly superior (I have to check that out).

Then again, I apologize for my superiority complex, and narcissism.

()-Could be inportant/more descriptive
[]-Ignorable/clarification
{}-No clue why I put that in. Checking. Ah notes.
Jibea
24-07-2005, 01:36
wow has anybody ever noticed that some people say things that are quite obviously smartass comments then somebody takes it seriously...why?

It may be obvious to some, but then again some people [me{SHHH}] do not detect sarcassism unless heard.
Comedy Option
24-07-2005, 02:04
:rolleyes:

Animals don't give a flying fuck about the enviornment.

I object to this insinuation that all animals fly, you racist human!