Am I an evil bastard for not caring about the endangered tiger beetle's plight? I feel like I should care. It seems uncouth to sit idly by while a species goes extinct. But so far, I just haven't been able to stir up any outrage over the potential loss of a critter that has no measurable impact on my life. Or on anybody else's life, for that matter. A lazy way of thinking, I know.
Will any of you come to the tiger beetle's aid and defend the resources required to ensure the beetle's survival?
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I think the amount of land they are setting aside for these beetles, and the money they are spending, is outrageous. I also must be an evil bastard. (Neal, don’t go there…lol)
You can add me to the ‘evil bastard’ list. It’s kind of ironic you mention this, because there was a beetle-looking thing on the sidewalk this morning that I ‘accidentally’ stepped on. I quietly hoped it was one of these tiger beetles just so that we’re a little closer to not having to read about them anymore.
Me three. I’m not an evil bastard though. I prefer to think of myself as “grizzled.”
Niiiice.
Ah…you all need to go see (or read) Horton Hears a Who….
Albeit the beetles aren’t people, but who are we to say what species is most important on earth? And what’s wrong with setting aside some open space in this urban world? And Dave K, when you’re the last of a couple dozen humans wandering in what’s left of the mess we’ve made, may something accidentally step on you and secretly feel good about it.
“Who are we to say what species is most important on Earth?” I don’t know, you tell me, since you’re the one that seems to be advocating spending millions of dollars on one species of beetle.
I don’t know if anyone would come to the aid of the beetle specifically, but I think there might be much more eyebrow raising here if we are talking about preserving some of the prairie and wetlands around Lancaster County. This article does not provide a lot of context. The way it is framed is - “lets pay millions to save these beetles,” but there is little other information about wider ecological consequences, or alternatives with which that land could be used for.
I love Horton. However, there are many other varieties of these beetles around the Earth (the article quotes 2,500 tiger species worldwide), and if they are so awesome, they can learn to adapt. Does each beetle need 6 acres of land? I don’t have 6 acres of land, and I pay my taxes. Who was the last Tiger Beetle who built a bridge or saved a child or gave back to the community? It’s Darwin, baby. Aren’t there better ways to use that kind of money and time and effort to better the area in which we live?
they’re not endangered anyone else but here. they might be thriving elsewhere. maybe someone should tell the tiger beetles they need to relocate. LOL!
anyone = anywhere—ENGLISH FAIL!
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