1400039
story
ammonoid writes
"The BBC news website reported this story about the possibility that the biologically selfish interests of microbes in the atmosphere to reproduce may be partly responsible for the formation of clouds, and observed patterns of rainfall. "
could be usefull (Score:3, Interesting)
For instance if a forestfire erupts, we could just "summon" our small allies, and extinguish the flames with little or even no risc for human lives.
(Not that forestfires are to be put out, as they are quite good for the environment, but you get the point)
Re:could be usefull (Score:1)
Re:could be usefull (Score:2, Informative)
Our continual fight against forest fires makes it easier for future fires to gain catastrophic proportions. (Ie. we protect a lot of land against forest fires; a few dry years come, and wooosh, a lot more burns than if the normal cycle of events were allowed.)
Paul
Re:could be usefull (Score:1)
>(Not that forestfires are to be put out, as they >are quite good for the environment, but you get >the point)
I think he was simply presenting a case where weather control could be beneficial. The "useful" nature of forest fires is tangentional to the argument.
At any rate, it could still be handy if said fire was threatening inhabited areas, or what have you. Can't let those Californian towns keep going up in flames right after we dig them out of the mudslides.
possible crazytalk scenarios (Score:3, Funny)
er! (Score:2, Funny)
Meh.. It *COULD* happen.
Re:er! (Score:1)
Re:er! (Score:1)
Ooops! We forgot to block the weather hackers?
No wonder Miami is snowed in.
Not particularly surprising. (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Not particularly surprising. (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Not particularly surprising. (Score:1)
influence isn't nescessarily control (Score:1)
The article does not explain how microbes can control clouds, it just gives an idea of why they would "want" to do that. The question whether it is possible or not, seems to be denied in favor of faith to the putative omnipotence and wisdom of the evolution. For me, as a physicist, causa finalis (i.e. the intention) is the least interesting of the 4 causae.
As you pointed out correctly many species have an important influence on the planet. I guess in most cases the influence of a specific species on it's environment is rather counterproductive to it's survival. E.g. animals eating up their food ressources, plants producing too much oxygen... However they have survived (if they have survived), because their influence was not yet strong enough or it was compensated by other species.
This is an old theory (Score:2)
Wind whipped at Qui-Gon's long hair, blowing strands of it across his strong face. "Midi-chlorians are microscopic life-forms that reside within the cells of all living things and communicate with the Force."
"They live inside of me?" the boy asked. "In your cells." Qui-Gon paused. "We are symbionts with the midi-chlorians."
"Symbi-what?"
"Symbionts. Life-forms living together for mutual advantage. Without the midi-chlorians, life could not exist, and we would have no knowledge of the Force. Our midi-chlorians continually speak to us, Annie, telling us the will of the Force."
"They do?" Qui-Gon cocked one eyebrow. "When you learn to quiet your mind, you will hear them speaking to you."
Anakin thought about it for a moment, then frowned. "I don't understand."
Qui-Gon smiled, and his eyes were warm and secretive. "With time and training, Annie, you will."
Re:This is an old theory (Score:2)
Terraform mars (Score:1)
also probable killing anything that might exist though.