Humans! the worlds worst parasite

I continue to wonder about our discussion yesterday involving this idea of one way relationships. Its hard to think of a relationship that only one subject is receiving a benefit from, Im not sure if this relationship really exists in our world. Then I began to think that it depends on what context were looking at the relationship, and what factors there are to be considered. When I think about any kind of animal we humans use as food, I see a relationship in which we receive food from the animal, and the relationship that the animal receives shelter and food from us. So really in this type of situation I feel like I can confidently say that both are receiving some sort of benefit.

Although, then I continue on this journey of a thought and wonder, as a human, what are the intentions behind giving this animal food and shelter, and does this change the relationship that we have with them. If we are not simply giving them shelter and food to keep them alive, but instead doing it so that we will have a healthy meal in the end, does this count as a two way relationship. What is the animal really receiving at this point, besides being set up for death.

How do we know when the relationship is really benefiting both ways and there is not a selfish intention on one end of this relationship. In the parasite the author discusses this fascinating concept of the human as the parasite. We as humans never see ourselves as the parasite but when I think about life and the way that humans use things around us, we are TOTALLY the parasite. We survive off everything around us, (our host), and things are constantly changing because of what we do with them. We continuously call things that “bother” us in our lives parasites, but what are we to these “parasites.” Are we not a bother to them? Taking their lives in order for us to survive, taking their wood to build our homes, their fur to make our coats, where does it end? What is it that they are taking from us that is so important? We discussed in class things such as trash, and potentially the idea of them being around our homes, but what is it in most cases that drives us to believe they are the parasite?

This author has really made me look at humans in a way I never imagined to. We are all parasites in someones eyes. It just depends on who is looking!