Alex Quote by Larry Niven
“There had been a popular joke on Freedom, started by a man named Calder. Looking down from space, he had said, the dominant life forms on Earth were obviously the cereals and other grasses. They occupied all the most desirable and fertile land; and they had tamed insects and animals to care for them. In particular, they had domesticated the bipeds to nurture and cultivate them and to save and plant their seed. Now, watching the farmers, Alex could easily imagine that they were worshiping and genuflecting before their masters.”
About This Quote
Source Short Story: "The Integral Trees", 1984
Human dominance is portrayed as a parasitic relationship where we exploit and are worshipped by the very life we control.
In simple terms: Humans dominate and are worshipped by the life they control.
Key Takeaway
Question humanity’s role as steward or exploiter.
Themes
environment
power
domination
humility
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- colonialism
- agriculture
- urban planning
- space colonization
Key Concepts
anthropocentrism
ecology
ethical stewardship
Questions to Reflect On
- Do we truly dominate or coexist with nature?
- How can we shift from exploitation to stewardship?
A Different Perspective
The view may oversimplify complex ecological interdependence.
![“I remember having some problems with [the Deus Ex theme] when I first heard it and I was trying to figure out how to tell [Alex Brandon] I wanted changes. But then I noticed that I couldn't get it out of my mind. I was whistling or humming it to myself all the time. So I just kept my mouth shut…” quote by Warren Spector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2ac/warren-spector-41522_alex_i-remember-having-some-problems-with-the_44541.jpg)
