https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity ANTH-250 Anthropocene Project en-us 2022-04-29 00:28:12 UTC 2022-05-03 15:29:57 UTC hello@padlet.com ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163574360 Looking at our hominin family tree and our ancestors is vital to understanding how we got to the Anthropocene and how we became human. Beginning with the genus Ardipithecus we see the divergence from chimpanzees to a new species of hominins. Australopithecus was similar to Ardipithecus but had both ape-like and human traits. Australopithecus was bipedal which is part of what makes humans a unique species.  Next we see three species under the genus Paranthropus, who lived around the same time as early homo species. Lastly, genus Homo emerged 2 million years ago with Homo habilis and Homo rudolfensis. Homo erectus, Homo heidelbergensis, Homo floresiensis, and Homo neanderthalensis all lived and evolved eventually leading to who we are today: Homo sapiens. ]]> 2022-04-29 01:29:22 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163574360 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163575158 2022-04-29 01:29:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163575158 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163575912 2022-04-29 01:30:30 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163575912 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163576575 2022-04-29 01:31:08 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163576575 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163577280 2022-04-29 01:31:38 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163577280 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163577629 2022-04-29 01:31:59 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163577629 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163578225 An undeniable fact in the history of the United States is the systematic displacement of indigenous peoples and the genocide of Native Americans. Prior to the colonization of the Americas, the Native population was in the millions. That population rapidly decreased over colonization and the expansion of the United States. Native Americans have been forced off of their land since the colonization of North America. Their land was taken over by white people thus creating the United States and a new environment for the Anthropocene.]]> 2022-04-29 01:32:36 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2163578225 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167166407 One of the unique things that makes us humans is our ability to have a complex language. The larynx is the organ responsible for creating sound. In humans, we have a descended larynx which allows us to create complex sounds and use phonation. We have the ability for specialized communication and symbolic culture using letters and other symbols which is not seen in any other species. Combined with our brain size, we are able to create language and communicate with people around us and the world.]]> 2022-05-02 17:53:02 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167166407 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167208536 We are amidst the 6th mass extinction event that is driven by human activity. Thousands of species are endangered, have gone extinct, and are dying at rapid rates due to deforestation, climate change, unsustainability, and pollution. One of the most well known extinct species that went extinct due to human activity is the Dodo bird. The Dodo lived on the island of Mauritius in Madagascar. They were hunted to extinction by Dutch sailors while their habitat was being destroyed because they were seen as an invasive species. Their last mention was in 1662. Thousands of species are seen in this way and are at risk of extinction due to the actions of humans. The desire for wealth has caused people to think about themselves and not think about the consequences of their actions on non-humans and humanity as a whole.]]> 2022-05-02 18:20:54 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167208536 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167212343 In my opinion, the Anthropocene began with the Industrial Revolution starting in 1760 with the invention of the steam engine. The Industrial Revolution pioneered a ton of technological developments that are still used today and has been influential on our culture. We would not be where we are today without the Industrial Revolution. The temperature of the planet began to increase in the 1800s and skyrocketed in the 1900s due to the amount of CO2 and other gasses being released into the atmosphere from factory byproducts. The effects of the Industrial Revolution have been detrimental to our planet and these effects happened because of money hungry individuals. ]]> 2022-05-02 18:23:30 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167212343 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167392406 An important thing to acknowledge is that colonialism and imperialism have not ended. It still continues today in warfare, mission trips, continued occupation of stolen land, and in countries’ foreign policies. Mission trips are for religious reasons, so these are different from the others, but are still harmful. In the US, war is part of the culture and is a major contributor for the economy. War is good for the economy, think about that. Some of the biggest corporations in the US are weapons manufacturers. When war is going on, they make a lot of money contributing to the economy. Millions of people die at the hands of the military and for war, but it turns a profit so why does it matter that they die?]]> 2022-05-02 21:04:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167392406 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167393266 Across the world today, we have so many choices of materials. We have thousands of clothing choices, food choices, material choices, and everything else. A bulk of these things don’t get used and end up in landfills or in nature. The amount of pollution in nature is destroying the planet, causing us to lose our natural resources, and is so wasteful. Profit is more important than anything and the more options there are, the higher the profit one will make.]]> 2022-05-02 21:05:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167393266 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167393514 One of the biggest factors in greenhouse gas emissions is CO2 released from cars running on gas. In the United States, cars are essential because very few cities have public transit or reliable public transportation. The way that counties and cities have been set up requires people to have cars because nowhere is pedestrian friendly. Streetcar systems were popular across the US until the mid to late 20th century when cities tore up their streetcar tracks and built highways in their place. General Motors bought a lot of streetcar systems in the US and tore up streetcar tracks forcing people to buy cars in order to make money in the automobile industry. There are tons of other ways that infrastructure is lacking, but the lack of public transit causing people to have to own cars contributes to the climate crisis. ]]> 2022-05-02 21:05:34 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167393514 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167395034 A popular way that many cultures connect to the non-human world is through crystals. Many people believe that crystals hold a higher power and have the ability to heal us and bring certain positives into our lives. They hold spiritual meaning and allow people to connect to the non-human aspects of our lives. However, a lot of people profit off of spirituality and take advantage of peoples belief in crystals. ]]> 2022-05-02 21:07:11 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167395034 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167395343 Human beings have always connected to the stars. Indigenous cultures believed that they held meaning and were an explanation for the material world. Ancient cultures believed they were responsible for everything. Other cultures relied on them to navigate. They have held spiritual and symbolic meaning for cultures across time. Astrology and studying celestial bodies for symbolism is one of the ways that the world connects with the non-human world. Astrology is thought to be an explanation for human behavior and what is happening in the world.]]> 2022-05-02 21:07:33 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167395343 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167396305 Different from the other ways we relate to the non-human world is the genetic engineering of food. We can change the genome of naturally occurring fruits, vegetables, plants, and even animals to better suit our needs. The bananas that we know here in the United States are genetically modified bananas, the normal banana is full of seeds and is not pleasant to eat. The same thing is done with corn. Changing the genome of these foods makes them better for us and able to make money off of them, but it is not always ethical.]]> 2022-05-02 21:08:40 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167396305 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167432621 Currently, there is not nearly enough climate regulation and there has been little to no action on the climate crisis. The countries with the biggest emissions of greenhouse gasses are China and the United States. Neither country has very much climate regulation. It is important to note that a majority of the greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere are released by major corporations in these countries. There is little to no regulation of their emissions and their labor practices which are extremely detrimental to our environment and humanity as a whole. In the US, we must push for heavy climate regulation and laws in order to save our planet before it is too late to reverse climate change. I do not believe that this is going to happen because the profit of a few is the priority.]]> 2022-05-02 21:53:08 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167432621 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167432930 A super important thing in getting our carbon emissions down is supporting investments in infrastructure. Pushing for public transportation investments and investing in the well being of our citizens is very important: put the people first. For once, stop prioritizing profit and prioritize the people because the future of our planet and survival of the human race depends on it. ]]> 2022-05-02 21:53:32 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167432930 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167433467 We are on track to run out of fossil fuels in the next few years. We will run out of fossil fuels-which our entire culture is formed around (cars, gas ovens, electricity, etc.)-which leaves us with nothing because we don’t have another energy source. Investing in green energy is extremely important right now because when we run out of fossil fuels, we need to have a backup energy source, which can be and will be green energy. Using green energy is also important for the environment because it does not release a ton of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. While green energy will be expensive to get, it will be good for the environment and economy in the long run since we will conserve our natural resources. ]]> 2022-05-02 21:54:14 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167433467 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167440019 Sea levels are rising rapidly due to the rapid melting of glaciers from increasing atmospheric temperatures. Many cities live at or under sea level, who are at risk of destruction because they will eventually go under water. This can be stopped by reducing carbon emissions, but I do not see this happening because profit is important and reducing carbon emissions will be expensive. Peoples livelihoods, homes, and lives will be destroyed when things go under water, literally and metaphorically, and will leave them with nothing, but at least somebody made a profit. While it is expensive, I believe it is necessary for our survival. ]]> 2022-05-02 22:03:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167440019 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167440428 Going hand in hand with our overconsumption habits, we are rapidly running out of natural resources and we will eventually run out. There is little to no regulation of how much companies can take from the environment. It is impossible to survive without natural resources, so what happens when we run out of them? Pretty soon we will not have anything left and species will die out, the environment will be destroyed, and it will be impossible to do anything.]]> 2022-05-02 22:04:04 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167440428 ch4164a https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167442283 As I said in my above caption, we are creating an uninhabitable planet Earth. There will be no land to live off of, no food to eat, we will live in hostile and dangerous environments, and the things we rely on to survive will no longer exist. What happens when there is nothing left? I believe that the human race is committing suicide against itself since there is nothing left. I have no hope for our future because profit will always be the priority. One question I ask is, While profit is always the priority, if nothing is left and everything is dead/dying, what is there to profit from then?]]> 2022-05-02 22:06:46 UTC https://padlet.com/ch4164a/profitoverhumanity/wish/2167442283