I’ve been reading and thinking a lot about what makes humans so different than other animals on Earth. Really questioning the whole human exceptionalism thing. Like sure, humans have seen the surface of the moon. Humans can use big fancy magnets and some math to see inside of a different person. Humans literally have the power to kill all other humans on this planet. Humans can even see other planets across the entire galaxy. Like obviously something is different—but exceptional?
It’s really strange to see the world all around me be more concerned with whether a robot will one day have emotions rather than seeing that animals do. It’s hard for me to come to terms with the fact that I would love a little pupper—this smart and kind bundle of loyalty—snuggling my feet at the end of my bed, but not a pig—an animal just as thoughtful and intelligent; I was thinking of this as I ate a bacon burger on it for lunch today during an attempt to cure my Covid-booster hangover.
The word that floats around in my head over and over and over again is the word dignity. Humans have dignity and it’s a helluva lot easier to think that factory-farmed cows don’t have that emotion. But what if they did? Dignity, dignity, dignity…. The word dignity reminds me of my 10-minute, online training I once had to take for a summer internship about what to do if I’m ever in the situation where I’m being tortured. They just kept repeating, Keep your dignity. Don’t divulge any harmful information. Keep your dignity. Thanks, Uncle Sam. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.
I’ve spent the last three years—and might spend the rest of my life—working and thinking about the energy crisis, and how we’re going to need to solve all these big technological problems. But I think I’m more concerned about the ecological one—and most concerned that humans think we’re not a part of it.