Thread: What is a proper punishment for destroying The Earth?

Recently I have begun to realize that my wasteful living has ripped away from an entire generation the respect of its future descendents (assuming The Earth lives long enough to afford them such an opportunity.) It has been shown that no matter how many good things I do, no matter how many old ladies I help cross the street, no matter how many razors I hone for new straight shavers, I will still be intensely - that's right, intensely - hated in 500 years or so. Perhaps some hate me already I have burned so much carbon and continue to destroy The Earth with little or no remorse that I figure I may as well find out if there is any immediate punishment or meaningless reparations I must make in order to fulfil my debt to The Earth and its beasts (including slimy dirty humans.) <-- me

Originally Posted by beezaur

(I capitoloze Earth according to planetary science practice; it is a propoer noun. I do not worship the Earth.) ... [A bunch of other great points] ... Just think how intinsely we will be hated in 500 years or so.

I don't remember why I included both of those statements - the first one just had me laughing I guess Great point Anyway, I'm sure if you the readers are enlightened in these matters you have canceled your internet service and sold your computer to buy polar-bear sized life jackets for the arctic wildlife I am in the process of endangering so I address this message to the uninformed flatlander-minded masses:

What is a reasonable, justifiable, and adequate punishment for destroying The Earth?

It will have to be harsh, as there is only one Earth and no other earths like it. We must honor it, and keep it clean. We cannot kill it or bear false witness to the climate change all around us- wait a minute, I almost forgot- Earth is not God I keep getting off track - probably the soot in the air from burning coal clogging up my neural pathways before my time. Perhaps the loss of my habitat is my only proper punishment.

(Please bear in mind as you formulate your answer to my question, you will still be intensely hated 500 years from now. History will not distinguish you from the rest of the slime that contributed to wasting the planet)

There is a movement where people who believe that anthropogenic global warming is real are accused of partaking in a new religion. Granted, there are some true freaks with mental issues who do virtually worship Earth, but those people are very rare. I have actually been accused of worshiping Earth because I tend to use a capital E. I am a rural, conservative Christian who votes R almost exclusively. I just happen to have a thing for geoscience.

I understand the Catholic church has declared environmental destruction a sin. So, for a punishment, how about death by inquisition followed by Hell?

Scott

Technically Hog, all you could be accused of is reckless endangerment at this time. Since the earth is not dead murder is out of the question and since it would be impossible to separate any specific damage you caused out of the general melee you couldn't even be accused of battery or harm. I suppose if you are vicious enough about your destruction, for instance strip mining while logging the rain forest and smoking a cigar you could be convicted of malicious mayhem but thats it.

Originally Posted by beezaur

I understand the Catholic church has declared environmental destruction a sin. So, for a punishment, how about death by inquisition followed by Hell?

Scott

Phew! Thank God I'm not Catholic and that one of the issues my denomination has with Catholicism is the way the pope just goes around declaring new sins. I guess I'll get a pass for this one.

I think we are all suffering a punishment as we speak. Constant stress and feelings of guilt are quite detrimental to your health, you know.

So an increased Global Warming-related mortality rate is my suggestion. Who knows? This may just be one of those natural feedback cycles:

Wreck the Earth -> Wracked with Guilt -> Wreck your health -> Premature Death.

Premature Death = Only people who don't see a problem left alive.

= More people who don't see a problem and pass on that ethos to future generations.

= Future generations who don't view us with hate and scorn.




James.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

[INDENT]What is a reasonable, justifiable, and adequate punishment for destroying The Earth?

Simply admitting it seems to be too great a punishment alone for most to bear, but I suggest adding Cleaning Up Your Mess and Amending Your Ways to the list. From my experience that'll fix 'em good.

X

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

What is a reasonable, justifiable, and adequate punishment for destroying The Earth?

Oh, easy the answer is at 1:20

YouTube - Dr. Strangelove - "Mein Führer! I can walk!"