LET
me see if I have this endangered species concept correct. The Liberals who worry about these
animals ultimately argue the following.
If the blue whale, or some variation of the owl, dies off the world will
be, somehow, “less.” I do not mean
“fewer,” as in fewer animals, but less as in something missing. That is, some quality of life will be
reduced.
How would I feel if my (metaphorical) children grew up in a world without the blue whale(s)? In fact how would I feel if I grew (even) old(er), without blue whales? It would not bother me at all. I have seen films of these animals. I am impressed. But, unless one tries to eat me, or I try to harpoon it, visual contact is all I ever expect. And visual contact by film is much better than any I shall ever achieve in person.
Trust me, unless you are extremely lucky, even if you go on animal watching safaris, you are going to see better images of wild animals on the Discovery Channel than in person. There may be exceptions, as might happen if you went on safari in Africa, and were lucky. But those animals, because they make money for their human “hosts,” are not in danger. So trust me, the best “experience” you are ever going too have with a blue whale has already been recorded on video tape.
That is, it is… if you bother to put on the channel and watch the show.
And, if you are not watching Cable TV, why not read something worthwhile, namely the publication "Analysis and Explanations," available via this site.
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