Forums → WEPR → Is Humanity Viral?

This idea was brought to my attention and it seems to make astoudning sense. The argument is basically that humanity is nothing more then a Viral Infection, in a point of view Humanity is a Cancer, it has beneficial effects if properly used, but sadly the host for Humanity, namely the planet, cannot control it, so like in the average cancerous human, the cancer is malignant.

Can we not compare ourselves to a virus quite easily? We reproduce uncontrollably, and have an astounding tendency to destroy our own environment.

This is an interesting question since a virus has many basic qualities that do not allow us to classify it as a lviing organism. We consider ourselves mammals, but every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with its surrounding environment, but humans do not. We move to an area and we multiply, and multiply until every natural resource is consumed. The only way we can survive is to spread to another area. The only other thing on this planet that follows the same pattern is a virus.

In British Columbia, where I live we have over 600 ghost towns, towns that have died after all the natural resources in the area have been used up. This is a testament to our tendency towards the actions of a virus.

What do you think? How much do we have in common with a virus? I can't say scientifically (spelling?) because well, scientifically we don't fit the definition of a virus, but we do seem to have alot in common.