Medea hypothesis
The Medea Hypothesis is a term coined by paleontologist Peter Ward for the anti-Gaian hypothesis that life itself caused or contributed to the loss of biodiversity associated with most of the historical mass extinctions (the impact-caused K–T event being an exception).[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Past mass extinctions include:
- Methane poisoning, 3.5 billion years ago
- The oxygen catastrophe, 2.7 billion years ago
- Snowball earth twice, 2.3 billion years ago and 790–630 million years ago
- At least five putative hydrogen sulfide-induced mass extinctions, such as the Great Dying, 251.4 million years ago
The Medea Hypothesis is a term coined by paleontologist Peter Ward for the anti-Gaian hypothesis that multicellular life, understood as a superorganism, is suicidal.[1][2][3] A successful suicide act would return the Earth to the microbial dominated state it has been for most of its history.
Past suicide attempts include:
Methane poisoning, (3.5 billion years ago)
the Oxygen Catastrophe, (2.7 billion years ago)
Snowball Earth twice, 2.3 billion years ago and 790-630 million years ago
At least 5 Hydrogen sulfide-induced mass extinctions, such as the Great Dying, 251.4 million years ago
See also
External links
References
- ^ Peter Ward (2009), The Medea Hypothesis: Is Life on Earth Ultimately Self-Destructive?, ISBN 0691130752
- ^ Gaia's evil twin: Is life its own worst enemy? The New Scientist. Volume 202, Issue 2713, 17 June 2009, pages 28–31 (Cover story)
- ^ Bennett, Drake (2009-01-11). "Dark green: A scientist argues that the natural world isn't benevolent and sustaining: it's bent on self-destruction". Boston.Com. The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ Grey, William (2010-02). "Gaia theory – Reflections on life on earth". Australian Review of Public Affairs. University of Sydney. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); External link in|work= - ^ Ashraf M. T. Elewa, The History, Origins, and Causes of Mass Extinctions, Journal of Cosmology, 2009, Vol 2, pages 201–220. Cosmology, October 18, 2009 Gaia, Medea and Cronus hypotheses compared
- ^ Rhawn Joseph, Extinction, Metamorphosis, Evolutionary Apoptosis, and Genetically Programmed Species Mass Death ,Journal of Cosmology, 2009, Vol 2, pages 235–255. Cosmology, October 15, 2009
- ^ Google books listing (with preview)
- ^ Amazon book listing
- ^ Peter Ward speaker profile. TED. Retrieved 2009-02-27.