Sorry to burst your bubbles, people, but
humans are animals. Just because we have those amazing thumbs doesn't mean that we're any different from a dog. Sure, we don't sniff each other's butts to say hello, but we've got the same genes. So, overall, this is like asking "Which came first? The tiger or the tiger?" You know...? Yeah.
But in a social aspect, animals probably have more rights than we do. Hell, if we keep going at this rate, it'll be 'which animals don't we take with us when we flee to another planet because we've screwed this one up past the point of no return with out global warming'. (Now, maybe cows aren't worthy of the Earth, as we warehouse them... Thus, their farts are one of the top forms of global warming contributions, but that's a totally different thing.) Back on topic, think about what
we've done for the environment. You can't? Let's make a list...
- *Chernobyl
- BP
- War
- Pollution
- Overpopulation
- Environmental destruction
- Fukushima
- Hiroshima
- Mindless wasting of nonrenewable energy
- Leeching the Earth of its resources
- Deforestization
- You want me to keep going? Because I can.
So in those aspects, yes, we're probably one of the most destructive and self-absorbed species on this planet. Overall, we're just a tiny speck in the world. Since I know I'm already being depressing, I'll leave you with
this link to put you in your place. Listen and realize that there probably are places outside of our galaxy that are inhabited by intelligent life wondering the exact same thing you are.
[*NOTE: Chernobyl is one of the
only things on this list that might have, overall,
helped the environment. Most recently, it has become a national place of refuge for rare animals and fauna. They've since determined that the exotic animals (most of which haven't been seen in the area for
centuries) are unaffected by the amounts of radiation in the area. However, there are still areas uninhabitable to even the most resilient of animals. The Red Forest is a perfect example of this. Yes, I'm a fanatic about Chernobyl and its exact impacts and overall effects, as well as the disaster itself. I've researched this. Deeply.
]