One of my favorite contentions, laid out in many a vitriolic discourse over the technological “advances” of mankind has always been: If homo sapien is the apex of creation, this is a sad fucking affair we are all involved in. I will never leave that thought aside.
My wife had the opportunity to “Swim with dolphins” in San Diego. I can say honestly and without shame, even after all our years together, she was of a mind that animals were lesser creatures. That 4 hours with dolphins changed that, thankfully.
My wife is never one to show “metaphysical” beliefs, being highly pragmatic and practical. She didn’t understand how a “lesser being” could command such respect and empathy from her, (she became acutely aware of the fact that although she enjoyed the experience, the dolphins made it clear that their captivity was something unnatural to them).
I never said a word to her about, other than, “think about it”. It took visit to the doctor for her to figure it out. Two of the dolphins had gently and repeatedly proded at her lower abdomen while she was in the pool with them. Her OB/G pointed out she had masses of ovarian cysts. Enough of the story though.
There are creatures on this planet suffering from our pointless avarice and planetary desication. They are aware, highly aware, all too often of the futility of their own existence in the face of the “ultimate” forward seeing, backward thinking predator.
Unfortunately, humans don’t learn lessons as a species, we learn them individually, and even then, there are those who continue to disagree. We won’t undo what we have done, or even make the real attempt to do so, until it is far too late. History, sadly, is on my side.