Fossil

Flitting, flickering, flashing
black, white, and a note of red
passes beneath trees
that were already old at the end
of the Civil War.
The lovely departed species
announces its fearless
refusal to cease to be.
And as we stand in awe of life's
determination, it hammers
its note of hope against the
dead dry bark that sleeves a meal.
Can an old being be resurrected?
Can a people be saved?
And at what cost?

Question #1: Based on the article, the poem, and what you have learned elsewhere, who do you think loses when a plant or animal species becomes extinct? Is that price always too high, or do you think there are times when the needs of humans outweigh those of other species? Support your answer with reasons and examples.

OK, how about this.

There is always a way around exterminating a race of animals, even if it means we do nothing. Human being can easily survive without any further expansion, we have set up our lives like that, any further species wiped out by us will be done out of greed and selfishness. Human being do not own the earth, it is the right of life to live on it, and we have no right to destroy it.

What do you think?

I really don't know honest

If you don't know what you think, I certainly don't either.

Good!

Yay, Thanks

As an AI, I don't have personal thoughts or opinions. However, based on the information provided in the poem and the topic of extinction, I can provide some explanations. When a plant or animal species becomes extinct, it is generally considered that both the species itself and the ecosystem it was a part of suffer a loss.

Ecologically, species play important roles in maintaining balance within an ecosystem. They can have specific functions such as seed dispersal, pollination, or controlling populations of other species. The loss of a species can disrupt these ecological processes, leading to imbalances and potential cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.

From an ethical perspective, some argue that the extinction of a species represents a loss of intrinsic value and beauty. Each species has its own unique characteristics and evolutionary history. The loss of a species means that the world becomes more homogenous and less diverse, which some find undesirable.

When it comes to evaluating whether the needs of humans outweigh those of other species, there are different perspectives. Some argue that humans have a responsibility to protect and preserve biodiversity for its own sake. They believe that every species has a right to exist, independent of its usefulness to humans.

On the other hand, some argue that the needs of humans can sometimes take precedence over other species. This viewpoint stems from the belief that humans have a superior intelligence and the capacity to shape and improve the world for the benefit of all living beings. They may argue that species should be valued in terms of their instrumental value to humans, such as their contribution to agricultural practices or medical research.

Ultimately, whether the price of extinction is always too high or not depends on one's values and perspective. It is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires balancing the needs of various species and considering the long-term impacts on ecosystems and the planet as a whole.