Upon clicking on the image (you'll be taken to the gallery and the full-size picture), you'll notice a brand new logo in the top right. I wonder what that's for! (note, the text might change colors, but that's about it!)
A curious scenario
Imagine the chaos that would ensue if, following an outbreak of malaria, the WHO brought in birds, who then spread avian flu. To eliminate the birds, cats are shipped in. Over time, the bird population dies out and the cats start hunting random wildlife in the area. Oops, welcome to rabies! Let's get some outdoorsy men to take care of the enormous feral cat population (the food pyramid provides undeniable evidence that, if cats and birds had limitless numbers, we would all be veritably screwed. And our cars and furniture would be the first casualties)! What comes next? Fill in the blank and add your own links to the chain!
Read 6 comments (Leave a comment?)
Mithraugion said:
Avian flu, just like SARS (odd coming from a person whose heritage comes from Hong Kong) is overhyped. I honestly don’t think it is as serious as they keep thinking it will become.
Sure, the manner of which it is spread is a little more widespread than coughing people on airplanes, but still, who is usually stupid enough to go make contact with avian fecal matter? Don’t say bird owners, because those are domesticized and don’t really make contact with those damn pigeons on my roof.
And even if it reaches full world epidemic…
Not to downplay the sanctity of life or be insensitive, but with the world just about reaching optimal population capacity, we need to somehow balance it back out.
Again, I’m not saying people are expendable, but that would be the cynical way of thinking it.
Even though there are SOME people that would be worth expending…
Posted on December 7, 2006 7:12 PM; Permalink
Ranjani said:
Ahahaha, using epidemics to control population = natural selection at its finest. I want to try that in a debate round one of these days, but I don’t think that’ll work with any legislation, although it works in corporate settings. “We need these people gone by…this week. And fire these people the next week. THEY HAVE SHAMED US.”
The primary reason people fear avian flu is because the chances it has for spreading are multiplied infinitely on each bird that could contact the strain and spread it; also that it keeps evolving, right? It creates quite a bit of worry in Asian countries where birds are more widely eaten, because cattle aren’t exactly prolific. So, were an outbreak to hit the Pacific coast of Asia, China, India, and the islands would be at risk. But I agree. Everyone was convinced that it was going to be an absolute pandemic, and if you knew what was best for you, you’d get five vaccinations and stop sniffing birds for recreation. THIS MEANS YOU, LAWRENCE.
Posted on December 7, 2006 9:12 PM; Permalink
Mithraugion said:
Yes, cause we all know chicken feathers can make you so high…
It would be interesting to try that in debate. It probably wouldn’t work well, but it would be interesting nonetheless.
But truly, the main reason in Asia that epidemics spread so easily is the still horrible health care systems that exist over there, compounded by the serious overpopulation (ever been to Hong Kong? Or Tokyo? Or any big city in the Orient for that matter?).
When there was a different strain of Avian flu in Asia a few years back, Hong Kong avoided the worst when they imported fowl from the United States rather than eating the fresh-from-the-cage-and-butchered fowl that you find in marketplaces.
Posted on December 8, 2006 12:15 AM; Permalink
Elizabeth said:
I know alot of people arnt Christian. But to tell the truth, I feel that Jesus wasnt really born that day. I still like the parents! When I went to India, I had to take malaria pills and they were really disgusting!
Posted on December 8, 2006 8:44 PM; Permalink
Ranjani said:
Off-topic: Well, I feel that it’s as much a secular holiday as it is religious - that was my basic point, and I felt so bad that it sounded so offensive the way I phrased it.
Malaria pills? Hmm, never had any. I suppose it would have helped because I was bitten twice for every one step I took somewhere. I think it was in India that I invented my habit of wearing layers on a really hot day to keep the mosquitoes away; it works well in Houston too!
Posted on December 9, 2006 12:48 AM; Permalink
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