jimmysong on Nostr: We need to conquer nature. Environmentalists' reverence for nature often implies that ...

We need to conquer nature. Environmentalists' reverence for nature often implies that it should remain untouched, creating a worldview akin to worshiping nature.

However, nature, when perceived as a deity, is an indifferent and harsh one. It manifests as destructive forces such as natural disasters that take countless lives and destroys civilizations. The solution isn't to allow these catastrophic events to continue unchecked out of respect or fear.

Rather, the goal should be to harness nature's power and bring it under human control. This doesn't mean exploiting the environment for some high time preference gain, but using it for long-term benefit. It refers to understanding natural phenomena, predicting potential hazards, and implementing preventive measures to safeguard lives and property.

Respect for nature is not submission. Instead, we should strike a balance between admiration for its grandeur and the need for our own sovereignty. This involves actively managing and interacting with the environment to minimize the adverse impacts of its inherent unpredictability. In doing so, we are not merely worshiping nature; we are co-existing with it.