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Evolution of tree roots may have driven mass extinctions (2022)

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Re: Evolution of tree roots may have driven mass extinctions (2022)

#11
post #9
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As in material-stock to be consumed for development, or aesthetically-pleasing entities we enjoy having around?

According to the documentary "The Matrix", it's the first one.

Unfortunately it doesn't make sense to use us as batteries or energy sources, thermodynamically. But they could maybe use our brains as computers (and this was the first idea the writers had, they just decided against it because it would be too complicated for mainstream audiences)

But in this case it would be rather wasteful to also nourish the rest of the body. As a bonus, if all the remaining people are just brains floating in a tank, they can't really escape.

Re: Evolution of tree roots may have driven mass extinctions (2022)

#12
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Can't wait" to see what evolves to "balance us out" and "keep us in check".

AI could see us like we see trees.

We should nurture familial-like relationships with them - kids generally look after their parents.

Re: Evolution of tree roots may have driven mass extinctions (2022)

#14

Between this and cyanobacteria causing a catastrophic (for them) oxygenation event some billion of years ago, many species seem to have causes mass extinctions, with us being the last (and quickest) in this chain. Is this another potential "great filter"? Evolving lifeforms can randomly find ways to kill an ecosystem.

"Can't wait" to see what evolves to "balance us out" and "keep us in check".

That'd be us, ourselves.

Re: Evolution of tree roots may have driven mass extinctions (2022)

#15
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

According to the documentary "The Matrix", it's the first one.

Unfortunately it doesn't make sense to use us as batteries or energy sources, thermodynamically. But they could maybe use our brains as computers (and this was the first idea the writers had, they just decided against it because it would be too complicated for mainstream audiences) But in this case it would be rather wasteful to also nourish the rest of the body. As a bonus, if all the remaining people are just brain…

In that film (brains in a jar), you don't escape to reality, you escape to a different level of the matrix (one where you've got superpowers). Last shot in the film will have a lot in common with the last shot in Terry Gilliam's Brazil.

It won't get great results from test audiences.

Re: Evolution of tree roots may have driven mass extinctions (2022)

#16
> The process outlined in the study — known scientifically as eutrophication — is remarkably similar to modern, albeit smaller-scale, phenomenon currently fueling broad “dead zones” in the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico, as excess nutrients from fertilizers and other agricultural runoff trigger massive algae blooms that consume all of the water’s oxygen.

Meanwhile, the next COP28 (United Nations Climate Change conference) will be held by United Arab Emirates's minister for industry and CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. As much as this seems like a joke, or a "Don't look up" moment, it is not one ...

Re: Evolution of tree roots may have driven mass extinctions (2022)

#17
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

According to the documentary "The Matrix", it's the first one.

Unfortunately it doesn't make sense to use us as batteries or energy sources, thermodynamically. But they could maybe use our brains as computers (and this was the first idea the writers had, they just decided against it because it would be too complicated for mainstream audiences) But in this case it would be rather wasteful to also nourish the rest of the body. As a bonus, if all the remaining people are just brain…

> use our brains as computers (and this was the first idea the writers had, they just decided against it because it would be too complicated for mainstream audiences)

Source please!

Re: Evolution of tree roots may have driven mass extinctions (2022)

#18
post #16

> The process outlined in the study — known scientifically as eutrophication — is remarkably similar to modern, albeit smaller-scale, phenomenon currently fueling broad “dead zones” in the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico, as excess nutrients from fertilizers and other agricultural runoff trigger massive algae blooms that consume all of the water’s oxygen. Meanwhile, the next COP28 (United Nations Climate Change co…

In what way is it not a "Don't Look Up" moment? It absolutely resonates with the theme of that documentary.

Re: Evolution of tree roots may have driven mass extinctions (2022)

#19
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

According to the documentary "The Matrix", it's the first one.

Unfortunately it doesn't make sense to use us as batteries or energy sources, thermodynamically. But they could maybe use our brains as computers (and this was the first idea the writers had, they just decided against it because it would be too complicated for mainstream audiences) But in this case it would be rather wasteful to also nourish the rest of the body. As a bonus, if all the remaining people are just brain…

> and this was the first idea the writers had, they just decided against it because it would be too complicated for mainstream audiences

Doesn't make immediate sense to me, if using brains as computers you wouldn't want to occupy them with the Matrix simulation and the whole story falls apart, so how was the complicated plot ought to be? Use the brains with the Matrix how we are used already for solving captchas?

Re: Evolution of tree roots may have driven mass extinctions (2022)

#20
post #18
post #16

> The process outlined in the study — known scientifically as eutrophication — is remarkably similar to modern, albeit smaller-scale, phenomenon currently fueling broad “dead zones” in the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico, as excess nutrients from fertilizers and other agricultural runoff trigger massive algae blooms that consume all of the water’s oxygen. Meanwhile, the next COP28 (United Nations Climate Change co…

In what way is it not a "Don't Look Up" moment? It absolutely resonates with the theme of that documentary.

Yes that's what I meant, it could be taken from it. But it's not taken from the movie, it's actually happening (that's what I meant)
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