There Are None So Blind...

[Baut Images: Beyond the Visible]

There is an old saying that comes to mind, as I think about the latest eco-disaster in America, and that saying is "There are none so blind as those who will not see!" With the oil spill in the Yellowstone River, in Montana on July 3, 2011, courtesy of Exxon Mobil, we now have one more episode in a long list of environmental disasters, that is adding to the contamination of our land and bio-shere. For further information on this and other stories, please go to the following link http://www.projectworldawareness.com/

We have only to look about us, watch the evening news, or read the newspapers, to see that our planet is fast becoming more of a toxic dump every day. As a hiker and photographer I get to see many out of the way places, and believe me I am always surprised to see plastic bottles, papers, and refuse laying about in the most unexpected places. It's always hard for me to believe what other hikers, backpackers and "supposed" nature lovers leave behind. A sad statement about mankind.

What I do find really interesting, however, is the focus of the media, on how eco-disasters will be cleaned up, or how this or that will be done to remedy the situation. In reality, folks, there is no way, for anyone, to clean any of these messes up 100%!

It also surprises me how blithely people just go about their daily lives as if nothing has happened in the Gulf of Mexico, Kalamazoo River, fracking, the Fukushima nuclear disaster, et cetera, et cetera. Simply go on as if nothing has, or is happening in their world. We are at a nexus point where people have a great opportunity to stop all of this insanity and make our world a better place, or watch it desintegrate day by day before our eyes. John Major Jenkins has written, "The materialist delusion has run its course," which I hope is true, but it seems like it's still hanging on in Washington, D. C., and other major cities.

Some time ago, I watched a program based upon a book entitled, The World Without Us, by Alan Weisman, which addressed the idea, of what the world might be like, if mankind were suddenly no longer on the planet. I heartly recommend this book to anyone interested in our environment, and how the planet might correct itself without the intereference of mankind.

Homo sapiens has been contributing to the demise of our eco-system, and itself, for hundreds of years, but now with all the chemicals, pollutants, GMOs, radiation, weapons, carcinogins, and toxins it has developed, it is speeding up the process of changing the planet and itself in a negative way that may go on for many years. I sometimes wonder, if that's what occurred on the Planet Mars?

As I have written before, mankind, for the most part, is the only species I know of that not only maims, kills, poisons and tortures others of its own kind, as well as the flora and fauna of the planet it lives on. It almost seems as if our species is innately destructive.

Osho says, that "99.9% of the people living on the planet are either asleep or drunk," which might explain why we seem to be living in a Dark Age of intolerance, ignorance, bigotry, hate, and greed. A time when little is done to help the millions of homeless verterans, youth and families that abound. A time of apathy and uncaring. A time our forefathers might not have thought could ever occur, but in their wisdom said, "United we stand. Divided we fall."

One day, and hopefully soon, people will begin opening their eyes, and start working together for the benefit of everyone, and the old phrase, "There are none so blind, as those who will not see," will be a thing of the past!

Roger Allen Baut

Earth Changes: Critical Global Events 2010-2011

Overview of significant Earth Changes & Events:
February, 2010-March, 2011

Looking back over the past year, it is interesting to note some of the major Earth changing events that have affected life on Earth. These events include not only natural disasters, but a few of those that mankind has perpetrated upon the planet. The combination of earthquakes, tsunamis and Nuclear crisis from the Sendai, Japan earthquake remains a story that's still unfolding, as of this writing. In the words of one nuclear expert, "No amount of radiation is safe!"

• Kyushu, Japan, Shinmoedake Volcano erupts March 13th, 2011.

• Sendai, Japan, 9.0M (USGS revised upward from 8.9M) Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Nuclear Crisis, beginning March 11th, 2011.

• Arkansas, United States, 800 Earthquakes generated from alledged Fracking. (See blog regarding this.), September 2010-March, 2011.

• Christchurch, New Zealand, 6.3M Earthquake, February 27th, 2011.

• Kyushu, Japan, Shinmoedake Volcano erupts January 31st, 2011.

• Sumatra, Indonesia, 7.7M Earthquake, October 25th, 2010.

• Christchurch, New Zealand, 7.0M Earthquake, September 4th, 2010.

• Gulf of Mexico, Deepwater Horizon, Largest marine oil spill in history along with use of toxic chemicals: ie. Corexit, April 20th, 2010.

• Eyjafjalla Glacier, Iceland, Volcano erupts, April 15th, 2010.

• Qinghai, China, 6.9M Earthquake, April 14th, 2010.

• Baja California, Mexico, 7.2M Earthquake, April 4th, 2010.

• Off Southern tip of Taiwan, 6.4M Earthquake, March 3rd, 2010.

• Bio-Bio, Chile, 8.8M Earthquake February 27th, 2010.

One day, perhaps in the not too distant future, we may hopefully see a more enlightened Homo sapiens living in harmony with not only the planet, but with other people as well.

2011 Roger Allen Baut

Update 60+ Days in Deepwater: Karma Coming to America?

Since the post of 06•20•10, entitled 60+ Days in Deepwater: Karma Coming to America, a few other pieces of information have been revealed themselves seriously concern me, and that is there are more "hidden" aspects to this Deepwater eco-tragedy, than one might think.

Yesterday, I was made aware of an article by Lynn Hasselburger and Leslie Scales that revealed more "horror" about this whole Gulf disaster and scandal! Yes, scandal, and that's exactly what it is, because I cannot believe that everyone in our legislative, judicial and executive branches of government were all unaware of the "nightmare" aspects of Corexit 9500, and that using it would cause such widespread damage to our land and people! If they were "all" unaware, that would be one thing, but if any of them knew then it's another, for "knowing" would be tantamount to allowing the outright "poisoning" of the land and people of the United States of America! Please take the time to take a look at Ms. Scales site http://www.earthspeak.org/ for related information on how toxins have been affecting people in this country for some time now.

So, what's so dastardly about Corexit? Nancy Chuda, with LUXECOLIVING, writes in her article entitled, "Does EPA Mean Business as Usual?" that as far back as 1989, and the oil spill from the Exxon Valdex that Corexit was used. Particulary noticable was the fact that during the clean-up from the Valdez oil spill, biohazard suits and masks were worn by those working in the clean-up process. So, the information on how toxic this stuff is, has been around for quite a while!

Now, with that information, come down to the present day where thousands upon thousands of gallons of Corexit 9500 have been dumped into the Gulf of Mexico, think about what that means! Now think about clean-up crews in the Gulf without proper biohazard gear and breathing its vapor in. No wonder a lot of workers had to be taken to the hospital. Now think about what the Corexit will have upon the aquatic life, marshes and southern states. Ms. Chuda writes, "...the use of Corexit during the Exxon Valdez oil spill caused respiratory, nervous system, liver, kidney and blood disorders in people." As I mentioned before, if anyone knew about the insidious effects of Corexit, it would be tantamount to allowing the outright "poisoning" of the land and people of the United States of America! Now, think about that.

Some of the ingrediants in Corexit include: Arsenic, Cyanide, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, et cetera. I am including a link to Ms. Chuda's article so you may read her more in-depth perspective of what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico. Also, please take a look at the people walking on the beach with the oil stream on it. Source: http://tinyurl.com/2cmjqmd

60+ days ago this whole tragedy began, and I don't think many us garden variety citizens, realized the disaster of epic proportions that was about to occur. Thinking back over these days, it reminds me of some really bad "B" movie the SyFy channel might be playing. To me, one of the worst parts of all of this, are the blantant "lies" that this administration has been perpetrating from the beginning of the oil spill! Keep the citizenry ignorant of facts is obvious, but that's the game the D.C. oligarchs have been playing for 10 years now. "Smoke and mirrors!" "Mirrors and smoke!" Shame on our elected officials and administration. I wouldn't trade places with any of them no matter how wealthy they are, for though the "hammer of karma" may not fall upon them today, it will soon enough! As the saying goes, "The sun shines equally upon the just and the unjust!" and so shall the toxic Corexit/oil rains fall upon all of us.

It also seems that no one is "learning" from this 60+ day disaster, as I found a new article, today, entitled, "Despite Spill, Deep Water Drilling is Here to Stay!" by Steve Mufson, of The Washington Post. According to Mr. Mufson, "Willie Sutton robbed banks because that's where the money is. And oil companies venture into deep waters for exploration because that's where the oil is." Source: http://tinyurl.com/2dexkel

There seems to be nothing short of a total eco-collapse that is going to stop these greedy, materialistic oligarchs who seem to care about nothing but stuffing their pockets and bank accounts, full of worthless US$! And, the US$ has to be worthless, especially if gold is riding on the $1,200 to $1,500 an ounce level!

So, it looks like Shakespeare was right when his character Puck said in A Midsummer Night's Dream, "Lord! What fools these mortals be!" But, as the ancients have said, this is the Kali Yuga, the Iron Age: The Age of Chaos!

Sharron Rose writes, "In our current Age of Iron, dominated by the forces of chaos and confusion, entranced by the flickering vibrations and images of our technological wonders, pumped full of pharmaceuticals and food additives to enhance our sensations or ease our pain, we have not only lost our fundamental virtue and integrity, but we have literally lost our minds."

Ms. Rose goes on to say, "Whether we are in the final phase of the dissolution or, as some teachings argue, merely the beginning of the end, it makes no difference. Regardless of our exact location in the great cycle of time, as luminous spiritual beings in material form, as Keepers of the Light, we must remain true to the divine principles of honesty and righteousness. Our task in this time of darkness and oppression is to journey to the depths of our beings and rediscover the essential light and power that has always been hidden there by the veils of corporeal existence." Source: http://tinyurl.com/25xegd2

So, there is indeed a ray of hope, that even in this time of chaos and confusion, something brighter and better will emerge for mankind in the future! Karma? Certainly karma for those who have perpetrated horrendous acts upon Planet Earth, and all life that exists here! But, let's not forget those who have, and are doing what they can to "make a positive difference" in this world.

As Osho has said, "99.9% of those living on the planet today are asleep or drunk," but that still leaves .1% of the population who aren't! One person can still make a difference in this world. "If we want the world to change, we must first begin with ourself," Koichi Tohei-sensi.

60+ Days of Deepwater: Karma Comes to America?

Today, is the 62nd day since the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico. Two months of a tragedy that will leave Planet Earth devasted for a very long time, not to mention its impact on Homo sapiens, which has for a long-time been headed down a cataclysmic path paved by greed, aquisitiveness, and self-absorbtion.

Ever since the parade of colonizers first came to the shores of America, there has been a series of nightmares perpetrated upon the indigenous peoples living here. Whether it be the British invasion of the Eastern coast at Plymouth, the French invasion of Canada and Louisana, the Spanish in Florida, California, Mexico, Central and South America, and there has often been a bloody path of decimation by fire, sword, and disease of epic proportions. The missionaries sent to "Christianize" the natives were oftentimes as bad as their military counterparts, but that's another story.

For those who extol the United States of America for its freedom, opportunity and might, lest we forget, it was the U.S., as well as other colonizers, that stole or fought for one parcel of land after another from the Native Americans. The U.S. broke almost every treaty it initiated with the Native Americans and pushed them further and further from their native lands, and into oftentimes desolate pieces of "junk" lands and territories. The infamous and pathetic "Trail of Tears" was one of the most brutal and heartbreaking periods of U.S. betrayal.

The slave/indentured trade from the colonial period until the Civil War, with it's in your face "slavery," displayed how this species attacks, plunders and abuses others of its own species. No other species on this planet treats its kindred as this one does.

And, was it such magnominity upon the part of President Abraham Lincoln to free the slaves, or was it the fact that the North was losing the war and needed more troops to fill its ranks? Little known to most Americans is the fact that President Lincoln, had he lived, was preparing to ship all the former slaves back to Africa, to the U. S. inception known as Liberia.

The concept of karma may be defined as the total effect of actions and conduct during the successive phases of an entity's existence, regarding as determining the entity's destiny. So, is there, indeed, karma at work here? Is the U.S., and world, finally getting a "payback" for all the damage it has done to the planet and itself? Is the Deepwater Horizon event the tipping point that will lead to a Doomsday scenario for the U.S. and mankind?

If the "hammer of karma" is indeed coming down upon these United States and the world, what other circumstances might have contributed to it, especially since the Gulf is in our very own backyard? Here's an abbreviated outline of some of our ignominious history.

• 1838-39 the Trail of Tears whereby Native Americans were stripped of their rights and relocated. The Cherokee nation was made to give up their lands East of the Mississippi. Approximately 4,000 Cherokee died as a result of their removal.

• U.S. Annexation of Texas 1845.

• Mexican-American War of 1846-1848, which was a result of the annexation of Texas.

• Convention of Kanagawa 1854, which compelled/coerced the Japanese into opening trade with the U.S. by Commodore Perry and his Black Fleet.

• U.S. Civil War, 1861-1865.

• Spanish-American War which occurred between the U.S. and Kingdom of Spain in 1898 as a result of the Battleship Maine being sunk in Havana Harbor. The alledged reason for U.S. involvement in Cuba, being Cuban independence. The U.S. gained temporary control over Cuba and indefinite control over Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines.

• WWI

• WWII included the U.S. and its allies fire bombing Dresden, Germany, and the U.S. fire bombing Tokyo, Japan, in 1945, with explosives and incendiary devices. It is reported 100,000 people died in Tokyo. The U.S. Atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was responsible for more wounding, maiming, and killing of numerous civilians in 1945.

• The Korean War, 1950-1953, was a conflict between North and South Korea. South Korea was supported by the United Nations, and in particular the U.S.

• Iran, 1953, the U.S. plays a significant role in the overthrow of Iran's popular Prime Minister and restores the Shah of Iran to power.

• The Vietnam War, was a cold war military conflict which occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia between 1955-1975. The U.S. became involved first, in the early 1960s with military advisers, then in 1965 U.S. combat troops were deployed. The capture of Saigon in 1975 put an end to U.S. involvement in Vietnam. It was during the Vietnam War that the U.S. used Agent Orange, which was an herbicide and defoliant contaminated with TCDD (a dioxin with a carcinogenic effect).

• Persian Gulf War, (Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm) 1990-1991. A Coalition of nations led by the U.S. began over a dispute between Iraq and Kuwait, which lead to military intervention to restore Kuwait's sovereignty. A feature of this war was "Gulf War Syndrome" affecting civilians and military personnel who were near conflicts or were downwind of chemical depot demolitions.

• Afghan War 2001-present, is an ongoing military initiative in response to the attacks on the World Trade Center, on September 11, 2001. It is now the longest ongoing war in United States history.

• Iraq War 2003-present. The U.S. and several allies invaded Iraq based upon a false and misleading premise that Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Iraq's "supposed" connection to the September 11, 2001 incident; hyped by the Bush administration to substantiate a preemptive attack on Iraq. Features of this war were the "shock and awe" bombarding of Baghdad, Massive Ordinance Air Blasts (MOAB), also known as the Mother of All Bombs which were of 21,000 lbs of ordinance, cluster bombs, as well as the debated use of White Phosphorus (WP), and their use against insurgents.

Karma? Karma also alludes to the concept of actions and deeds, and results in the entire cycle of cause and effect. Interestingly, this blog was stimulated by several articles I have read, and one in particular by Maryann Tobin entitled, "North America faces years of toxic oil rain from BP oil spill chemical dispersants."

It has been becoming more and more evident over these past 60+ days that the oil spill catastophe is not going away, nor is it going to be cleaned up. It is going to spred far and wide in the Gulf and other areas of the planet by wind, wave, air and water. We have been getting the proverbial "smoke and mirrors" from BP as well as our own administration. This eco-disaster is only the cherry on top of a cake of deception and lies we the people have been fed, from the recession/depression, to Wall Street shysters, to the bank robber barons, "Don't Ask Don't Tell," GITMO, landmines, universal health care, transparency, and on and on.

Karma? Yes, I think we're in for some big ass karma caused by the oligarchs of this nation and the world! Some points from the article by Maryann Tobin:

• When you pour millions of gallons of toxic chemical disperants on top of an oil spill, it just doesn't disappear.

• BP's oil spill dispersant (Corexit9500) has been banned in Europe, as it is one of the most environmentally enduring toxic chemical dispersants.

• As the water in the Gulf warms the dispersant goes through a molecular transition and changes from liquid to gas, which is readily absorbed by clouds and eventually released as toxic rain. This chemical-laden rain then falls on crops, reservoirs, animals, and of course people.

• What makes "Corexit rain" so freightening are the carcinogens it leaves behind on everything it touches.

• Is it futile to belive we can keep "Corexit rain" from occurring - it has already been released and the molecular tranisiton has begun. We have set off an unprecedented chain of events in nature that we cannot control.

Source: Maryann Tobin http://tinyurl.com/36oyk5p

Karma? Methinks it's coming our way, and in my humble opinion, it won't be simply North America. This is a planet where everything is connected and interconnected; as is everything in the universe. Unfortunately, mankind has lost sight of its connection with all things on this planet. Earth changes? Yup, lots of earth changes on the way! Species changes are on the way too! Hopefully, the next hominid group to inhabit this planet will be more wise than this one has been.

© Roger Allen Baut

America the Polluted, or Don't Drink the Water!

The first item of news that took me aback today was the fact the United States Department of Interior, "...exempted BP's calamitous Gulf of Mexico drilling operation from a detailed environmental impact analysis last year, according to government documents, after three reviews of the area concluded that a massive oil spill was unlikely."

Well, this certainly seeems like another brick in the wall of either governmental myopia, nonchalance, stupidity, or something else. What that something else may be, well, there's a long list of things that one may chose from. A day late and a doolar short, "...environmentalists and some key senators are calling for a reassessment of safety requirements for offshore drilling."

It was reported yesterday on Dylan Radigan's program, MSNBC, that other wells are "seeping," oil. Seeping may not be a volcano of oil, but it is a leak and a danger to aquatic life in, and of itself. Something is so wrong with this picture that I'm sure it gives sane people migranes. Source: MSNBC/The Washington Post.

As troubling as the Gulf of Mexico disaster is, another one that is particularly disturbing is one that is related to the Boeing Company, near Seattle, WA. "To resolve a multi-party federal lawsuit, the Boeing Company will pay $2 billion to remediate environmental damage in Seattle’s Duwamish waterway, the ancestral grounds for the Duwamish, Muckleshoot, and Suquamish Tribes." Talk about a mess!

The $2 billion is "...to fund the cleanup of the site where Boeing built many of the B-17 bombers used during World War II. Solvents, oils and other chemicals polluted the property and leached into groundwater that migrated to the Duwamish waterway."

The number of new and ongoing eco-tragedies is really disheartening, and no matter what anyone says, there is no way to totally eradicate, clean-up, or return land or water to its original prisitine environment. Chemicals, and/or other pollutants which have gone into our air, water, ground, plants and wildlife are simply absorbed, and will eventually be ingested by people. Only nature, over thousands of years can cleanse the planet from the pollutants and toxins, that a greedy and self-absorbed Homo sapiens moronus has dumped into it.

America once a beautiful and pristine land has become a trash heap! If you don't believe me look at the photo in the following link (Source: Native American Legal Update)

America the polluted! Don't drink the tap water! I don't!

Oil Spill Eco-Tragedy 2010!

The question now becomes, "What is it going take to wake people up?" Almost every day there is some new problem for people and the planet. Not to mention, all those ecological and societal problems that have been created by mankind over the past years.

As Naomi Wolf has so aptly said, we have reached several "tipping" points as a nation, and once that tipping point has been reached it is difficult going back, and/or correcting whatever has occurred. If you are not familiar with her work, I would suggest you to go to: http://www.endofamericamovie.com/ and find out what she has to say about the "End of America."

Environmentally, we have also reached a tipping point with our latest oil spill disaster. America has been on a collision course with an eco-tragedy for many years; it looks like it may be here now. As our esteemed caesar now says, "...we are dealing with a massive and potentially unprecedented environmental disaster." Well, yeah! Wake-up for God's sake and smell the coffee (see full article: MSNBC) http://tinyurl.com/2ckqrfq

No amount of clean-up is going to restore the Gulf of Mexico to its original pristine condition. Water, fish, plants, birds, et cetera are all being affected. As a matter of fact, there is already "dead" zone in the Gulf. Yup, a dead zone, check this out from smm.org http://www.smm.org/deadzone/ on the Gulf area that cannot support aquatic life.

As the old cliche goes, this is a "train wreck in slow motion," except the train wreck has been going on for years. Planet Earth has been turned into a polluted garbage dump by Homo sapiens moronus! The list of atrocities that mankind/governments have perpetrated on this planet is a long one. I need not go into all the gory details, but I am always reminded about the 10,000 +/- pieces of debris floating around our planet by our glorious space program.

So, who's responsible for all of this mess? None other than American people, who have NOT demanded accountability, responsibility, or transparency from their elected officials/administration. It is the American people, for the most part, have allowed their government to do whatever it wants. Why? Because they're often too busy being self-absorbed with their phoney baloney celebrities, junk television, junk food, junk beverages, and lost inside some computer screen either self-stimulating themselves mentally, or physically. When the USA Titanic goes down, it's gonna make a BIG splash folks!

No need to tell you what can be done to SOS (Save our Ship)! You already know, but if you don't, it's simply this: if you want to make a difference and stop the eco-tragedies and loss of our civil liberties from happening, you just have to get up and take a stand, and STOP the insanty and the greed.

Return our government to one that is really a representative one, and one that is, "...of, by, and for the people." This government was set up to provide for the necessities of its people, not vice-versa! It's now up to all of us to STOP the mismanagement of this nation, or we will all suffer the consequences, and those consequences will impact us forever!

The tipping point has been reached!

Of oil spills and E. coli

The latest piece of big, "bad news," is the oil spill which occurred in the Gulf of Mexico from the Louisana oil rig disaster of April 20th. Now, 9 days later, it's become a real crisis as the spill has moved toward the Mississippi River, Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Breton national Wildlife Refuge, and rich oyster grounds.

One fisherman was quoted as saying, "The oil come in everywhere, the shrimp die, the crabs die, the fish die. What do I do?"

MSNBC reports that, "If the well cannot be closed, almost 100,000 barrels of oil, or 4.2 million gallons, could spill into the Gulf before crews can drill a relief well to alleviate the pressure." The size of the oil spill is now, "...600 miles in circumference and about 23 miles offshore." Think about the ecological significance of this event.

A "...decision to burn some of the oil came after crews operating submersible robots failed to activate a shut-off device that would halt the flow of oil on the sea bottom 5,000 feet below." Now where do you think all those toxic fumes are going? Correct! Right into the atmosphere.

Late yesterday, Wednesday, a lawsuit was filed that, "...seeks at least $5 million in compensatory damages, plus an unspecified amount of punitive damages against Transocean, BP, Halliburton Energy Services Inc. and Cameron International Corp." Hmmm, Halliburton, doesn't that name sound very familiar? Why yes, come to think of it, this administration is still playing "patty-cake" with them, in a number of different ventures? Yes, siree!
It will be interesting to see what transpires with this latest environmental situation as it progresses. Unfortunately, no amount of money is going to eradicate, or return the Gulf or animal life to what it was before the spill. Sources: The Baltimore Sun http://tinyurl.com/2bfmx2c and MSNBC http://tinyurl.com/24tyhay

Now, on to another topic: food! It was announced today that the State of New York is now linked to an E. coli O145 Outbreak in Michigan and Ohio! It is reported that as many as 47 have now sickened in three States, in the Marler Blog http://www.marlerblog.com/ The Marler Blog is an excellent resource for finding out about what food/health-related challenges are presently occurring.

So, what is E. coli? Well, for the most part, it's the name of a type of bacteria that lives inside the intestines. Most types of E. coli are quite harmless. However, some types can cause illness and diarrhea. One type causes travelers' to have diarrhea. The worst type of E. coli causes bloody diarrhea, and may sometimes result in kidney failure and even death. Needless to say, it's something that one doesn't want to contract.

How do People contract E. coli? Well, one may contract it by drinking contaminated water, eating fruit or vegetables that have been watered with contaminated water, drinking unpasteurized milk, or eating undercooked ground meat. An E. coli infection may also be caught by coming into contact with others who are infected with it, or by working in environments where one might come into contact with human or animal feces.

At this point in time, it is not known for sure, whether or not this outbreak is from hamburger or some leafy green vegetables such as lettuce, or spinach.

So, there you have it, some new issues that are causing a bit of havoc for the planet and Homo sapiens! It seems to be an ongoing saga. Hmmm, I wonder what the final outcome will be?

Oh, by the way, here's a recommendation for some late night reading, for you: The World Without Us, by Alan Weisman, a fascinating book that asks us to envision the Earth without us. Think about it!