Humans have evolved by adapting to their environment and we must now adapt to competing with the SARS-Cov-2 virus which causes the Covid-19 disease in humans. We know that we can prevent the transmission of this coronavirus from person to person, by keeping a safe distance. We know that if everyone gets the Covid-19 disease at the same time, many of our loved ones will die as we will exceed the capacity of our medical systems. We know that South Korea and Japan have Covid-19 disease within the capability of their medical systems. We know that economies work best when conditions are stable. We know that some leaders know how to stabilize while others prefer chaos. We know that we can elect capable leaders if we sincerely want to be safe from the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus.
No, we have to discard the idea that only big things build or destroy. It warps our perception as to how the world works. Many little things in nature systematically act benignly over time to build ocean reefs, and oil deposits, and sedimentary layers we use as gravel. Microbes, some of the smallest living things, and acting on vastly accelerated time scales, win the wars both military and social, not necessarily soldiers and politicians. Many famous military battles in history were stopped short because of epidemics. In his book RATS, LICE AND HISTORY, Hans Zinsser lists European wars over hundreds of years in which disease killed more combatants and civilians than the battles, and writes —
“ … it leads up to our theme that soldiers have rarely won wars. They more often mop up after the barrage of epidemics. And typhus, with its brothers and sisters — plague, cholera, typhoid, dysentery — has decided more campaigns than Caesar, Hannibal, Napoleon, and all the inspector generals of history. The epidemics get the blame for defeat, the generals credit for victory. It ought to be the other way around … “
Granted, we now have more scientific knowledge of how disease is spread and how to treat it. But microbes, that evolve to adapt a million times faster than large animals, are constantly updating their arsenals. A disease that was one week confined to a relatively small locality can the next week have representation over the whole world — thus an epidemic becomes a pandemic.
And it used to be that microbes exploited the mass of soldiers going from country to country in order to spread. Now, they exploit civilian travel to do so. They are crafty little things without brains, just a simple program instilled to make as many more of themselves as possible — nothing personal or wicked intended. Yet humans, with their big brains and those extended even further by programmed computers, struggle to win. An obsolete mindset must be changed.
Concretionist about 4 years ago
Yup. We’ll see how well it rebounds, but I’m forecasting a pretty long haul.
Bryan Farht about 4 years ago
Now that it’s all messed up, maybe we should push the reset button. Just like the Romans did once in a while.
superposition about 4 years ago
Humans have evolved by adapting to their environment and we must now adapt to competing with the SARS-Cov-2 virus which causes the Covid-19 disease in humans. We know that we can prevent the transmission of this coronavirus from person to person, by keeping a safe distance. We know that if everyone gets the Covid-19 disease at the same time, many of our loved ones will die as we will exceed the capacity of our medical systems. We know that South Korea and Japan have Covid-19 disease within the capability of their medical systems. We know that economies work best when conditions are stable. We know that some leaders know how to stabilize while others prefer chaos. We know that we can elect capable leaders if we sincerely want to be safe from the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus.
Will we do what is best for us?
Radish the wordsmith about 4 years ago
Did you see the picture of the clean air over Los Angeles?
PraiseofFolly about 4 years ago
No, we have to discard the idea that only big things build or destroy. It warps our perception as to how the world works. Many little things in nature systematically act benignly over time to build ocean reefs, and oil deposits, and sedimentary layers we use as gravel. Microbes, some of the smallest living things, and acting on vastly accelerated time scales, win the wars both military and social, not necessarily soldiers and politicians. Many famous military battles in history were stopped short because of epidemics. In his book RATS, LICE AND HISTORY, Hans Zinsser lists European wars over hundreds of years in which disease killed more combatants and civilians than the battles, and writes —
“ … it leads up to our theme that soldiers have rarely won wars. They more often mop up after the barrage of epidemics. And typhus, with its brothers and sisters — plague, cholera, typhoid, dysentery — has decided more campaigns than Caesar, Hannibal, Napoleon, and all the inspector generals of history. The epidemics get the blame for defeat, the generals credit for victory. It ought to be the other way around … “
Granted, we now have more scientific knowledge of how disease is spread and how to treat it. But microbes, that evolve to adapt a million times faster than large animals, are constantly updating their arsenals. A disease that was one week confined to a relatively small locality can the next week have representation over the whole world — thus an epidemic becomes a pandemic.
And it used to be that microbes exploited the mass of soldiers going from country to country in order to spread. Now, they exploit civilian travel to do so. They are crafty little things without brains, just a simple program instilled to make as many more of themselves as possible — nothing personal or wicked intended. Yet humans, with their big brains and those extended even further by programmed computers, struggle to win. An obsolete mindset must be changed.
everett_r0 about 4 years ago
Economies can be rebuilt, human beings can’t be resurrected. End of discussion.
Kilrwat Premium Member about 4 years ago
One has to wonder about the fundamental robustness of the overall economic model if it can’t be paused for a few months.
79nysv about 4 years ago
The problem is out of the entire US population are there any such leaders All we seem to get are self centered morons.
Zebrastripes about 4 years ago
Stock market….boo hiss…fixed
Frankfreak about 4 years ago
Didn’t the world have an economic collapse (major downturn) during the end of the Bush2 admin?
K. A. Lucas'95 about 4 years ago
COVID-19 introduces CDC