494
biology.
57
While we have seen ecological and mathematical models and assumptions suggesting that our species has from a mere few decades to precisely 760 years
left to go—before extinction, what we have not yet seen are any mathematical models to show any degree of likely perseverance of Homo sapiens beyond such extrapolations. That is proof of a nearly overwhelming condition of multiple, simultaneous
volatilities.
If our hours are so numbered, then one would assume that our BP
(Bereitschaftspotential, or “readiness potential”) first revealed in 1964 by Hans
Helmut Kornhuber and Lüder Deecke, would appropriately retool, and re-steer its
near instantaneous pre-planning manifestation of cortical activity that is at the root
of the approximately 35,000 choices a human makes each day (teenagers, fewer, but
more virulent)
58
toward safer shores. Or at least, would choose tendencies in such
directions.
52.4 To Choose, or Not to Choose
In 1985, psychologist Benjamin Libet measured the triggering of the BP as occurring 0.35 seconds before conscious volition, engendering a robust neurological
debate about the very nature of free will, in humans.
59
But clearly, with at least 477
known other species extinctions since 1900,
60
and at least 161 avifauna lost since
1500,
61
there would appear to be a mere modicum of amalgamated human angst
concerning the future of more than half of all life forms, now predicted threatened
and/or vulnerable to extinction. How that modicum is measured; what its volitional
foundations are made of; the precision, scope, and resolve of its eco-remediation
methodologies, public and private partnerships; and the innumerable cultural and
ecological variables that seem all but destined to obfuscate our best ideals and their
implementation, now represents a life-or-death tier of deliberations and catalysts
57 See “The mathematics of extinction across sc ales: from populations to the biosphere,” by Colin
J. Carlson, Kevin R. Burgio, Tad A. Dallas, & Wayne M. Getz, PeerJPreprints, MSC 2010 Codes:
92B05, 92D40, https://peerj.com/preprints/3367.pdf. Accessed May 16, 2020.
58 Wong, Aaron L.; Haith, Adrian M.; Krakauer, John W. (August 2015). “Motor Planning”. The
Neuroscientist: A Review Journal Bringing Neurobiology, Neurology and Psychiatry. 21 (4): 385–
398. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073858414541484. ISSN 1089-4098. PMID 24981338.
59 Libet, B (1985). “Unconscious cerebral initiative and the role of conscious will in voluntary
action”. Behav Brain Sci. 8 (4): 529–566. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0140525x00044903.
60 “Accelerated modern human-induced species losses: Entering the sixth mass extinction,” by
Gerardo Ceballos, Paul R. Ehrlich, Anthony D. Barnosky, Andrés Garcia, Robert M. Pringle and
Todd M. Palmer, Science Advances AAAS, 19 June 2015: Vol. 1, no. 5, e1400253, https://doi.
org/10.1126/scladv.1400253, https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/1/5/e1400253.figures-only,
Accessed May 16, 2020.
61 Data Zone, “We have lost over 150 bird species since 1500,” BirdLife International, http://
datazone.birdlife.org/sowb/casestudy/we-have-lost-over-150-bird-species-since-1500; See also,
Butchart, S. H. M., Stattersfield, A. J. and Brooks, T. M. (2006) Going or gone: defining ‘Possibly
Extinct’ species to give a truer picture of recent extinctions. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club. 126A: 7–24.
52 The Extinction Probability Era
biology.
57
While we have seen ecological and mathematical models and assumptions suggesting that our species has from a mere few decades to precisely 760 years
left to go—before extinction, what we have not yet seen are any mathematical models to show any degree of likely perseverance of Homo sapiens beyond such extrapolations. That is proof of a nearly overwhelming condition of multiple, simultaneous
volatilities.
If our hours are so numbered, then one would assume that our BP
(Bereitschaftspotential, or “readiness potential”) first revealed in 1964 by Hans
Helmut Kornhuber and Lüder Deecke, would appropriately retool, and re-steer its
near instantaneous pre-planning manifestation of cortical activity that is at the root
of the approximately 35,000 choices a human makes each day (teenagers, fewer, but
more virulent)
58
toward safer shores. Or at least, would choose tendencies in such
directions.
52.4 To Choose, or Not to Choose
In 1985, psychologist Benjamin Libet measured the triggering of the BP as occurring 0.35 seconds before conscious volition, engendering a robust neurological
debate about the very nature of free will, in humans.
59
But clearly, with at least 477
known other species extinctions since 1900,
60
and at least 161 avifauna lost since
1500,
61
there would appear to be a mere modicum of amalgamated human angst
concerning the future of more than half of all life forms, now predicted threatened
and/or vulnerable to extinction. How that modicum is measured; what its volitional
foundations are made of; the precision, scope, and resolve of its eco-remediation
methodologies, public and private partnerships; and the innumerable cultural and
ecological variables that seem all but destined to obfuscate our best ideals and their
implementation, now represents a life-or-death tier of deliberations and catalysts
57 See “The mathematics of extinction across sc ales: from populations to the biosphere,” by Colin
J. Carlson, Kevin R. Burgio, Tad A. Dallas, & Wayne M. Getz, PeerJPreprints, MSC 2010 Codes:
92B05, 92D40, https://peerj.com/preprints/3367.pdf. Accessed May 16, 2020.
58 Wong, Aaron L.; Haith, Adrian M.; Krakauer, John W. (August 2015). “Motor Planning”. The
Neuroscientist: A Review Journal Bringing Neurobiology, Neurology and Psychiatry. 21 (4): 385–
398. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073858414541484. ISSN 1089-4098. PMID 24981338.
59 Libet, B (1985). “Unconscious cerebral initiative and the role of conscious will in voluntary
action”. Behav Brain Sci. 8 (4): 529–566. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0140525x00044903.
60 “Accelerated modern human-induced species losses: Entering the sixth mass extinction,” by
Gerardo Ceballos, Paul R. Ehrlich, Anthony D. Barnosky, Andrés Garcia, Robert M. Pringle and
Todd M. Palmer, Science Advances AAAS, 19 June 2015: Vol. 1, no. 5, e1400253, https://doi.
org/10.1126/scladv.1400253, https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/1/5/e1400253.figures-only,
Accessed May 16, 2020.
61 Data Zone, “We have lost over 150 bird species since 1500,” BirdLife International, http://
datazone.birdlife.org/sowb/casestudy/we-have-lost-over-150-bird-species-since-1500; See also,
Butchart, S. H. M., Stattersfield, A. J. and Brooks, T. M. (2006) Going or gone: defining ‘Possibly
Extinct’ species to give a truer picture of recent extinctions. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club. 126A: 7–24.
52 The Extinction Probability Era