His Epic Message Will Make You Want to Save the World | Short Film Showcase

National Geographic

10 Jan 201704:24

Summary

TLDRThe script emphasizes Earth's age in comparison to human existence, highlighting humanity's brief 3-second presence on a 24-hour Earth day. It critiques mankind's intelligence versus wisdom, pointing out our destructive impact on the environment and species extinction. The speaker calls for a reconnection with nature, recognizing our role in environmental crises and urging collective action for a sustainable future, emphasizing our innate power to effect change.

Takeaways

🌏 The Earth is 4.5 billion years old, while mankind has only been around for about 140,000 years.
⏳ If the Earth's age were condensed into a 24-hour day, human existence would equate to just 3 seconds.
🧠 Homo sapiens, meaning 'wise men,' are intelligent but must balance intelligence with wisdom for the greater good.
🔬 Human advancements, such as splitting the atom and building machines to explore the universe, come with negative consequences like nuclear warfare.
🌳 Wisdom involves listening to nature and recognizing the interconnectedness of all life, rather than just exploiting it.
⚠️ Current environmental issues, including stronger storms and increased pollution, are a result of human actions and a lack of wisdom.
🐅 The rate of animal extinction has been accelerated by human activity, with many species predicted to go extinct within the next 100 years.
🌱 Earth is a unique paradise, providing life and resources that are essential for survival, yet we often take it for granted.
🔗 Everything in nature is genetically connected, and recognizing this connection is crucial for preserving the ecosystem.
🌐 The real crisis is not just environmental but also a crisis of human disconnection and lack of awareness of our impact on nature.
💪 Despite feeling powerless, individuals have the potential to make a significant impact, just as the flutter of a butterfly's wing can cause a typhoon.

Q & A

How old is planet Earth in comparison to the age of mankind?
-Planet Earth is 4.5 billion years old, while mankind has been around for approximately 140,000 years.
What is the analogy used in the script to put the existence of mankind in perspective in relation to Earth's age?
-The script compares Earth's age to a 24-hour day, suggesting that mankind's existence is equivalent to just 3 seconds within that day.
What does the script suggest about the wisdom of mankind despite our intelligence and technological advancements?
-The script suggests that while mankind is intelligent and capable of great technological feats, true wisdom involves listening to nature and understanding the consequences of our actions, which it implies we are currently lacking.
What is the script's view on the impact of human activities on the environment and natural disasters?
-The script argues that human activities, such as pollution and deforestation, have led to stronger storms, more frequent droughts, hurricanes, and wildfires, and an increased rate of animal extinction.
How does the script describe the potential future of beloved animal species in children's books if current trends continue?
-The script predicts that within the next 10 to 100 years, many beloved animal species, such as lions, rhinos, tigers, gorillas, elephants, and polar bears, are likely to go extinct due to human impact.
What is the 'real crisis' according to the script, and how does it relate to the symptoms of environmental destruction and animal agriculture?
-The real crisis, as described in the script, is humanity itself. Environmental destruction and animal agriculture are seen as symptoms and byproducts of a deeper issue, which is a loss of connection and understanding of our place in nature.
What does the script imply about the role of corporations in keeping people unaware and disconnected from the environment?
-The script implies that corporations contribute to keeping people unaware and disconnected from the environment, which prevents them from recognizing the impact of their actions and the importance of taking action to protect nature.
What is the script's message about the power of collective action and its potential to create change?
-The script suggests that collective action, likened to the butterfly effect where small actions can have large impacts, has the potential to create significant change and usher in a new era of love, connection, and freedom.
What are some of the 'natural rights' mentioned in the script that should not be compromised or bargained for?
-The script mentions the right to eat safe food with recognizable ingredients, drink clean water, and marvel at trees and breathe air free of toxins as natural rights that should not be compromised.
How does the script define the term 'wisdom' in contrast to 'intelligence'?
-The script defines 'wisdom' as the ability to listen and understand the consequences of actions, in contrast to 'intelligence' which is the ability to create and understand complex ideas or systems, but may not always consider the broader implications of those actions.
What is the significance of the '3 seconds' mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to the broader message?
-The '3 seconds' is a metaphor for the brief time mankind has existed compared to Earth's age, emphasizing the disproportionate impact we have had in such a short time. It underscores the urgency and responsibility we have to act wisely and protect our planet.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Earth's Age and Human Impact

This paragraph emphasizes the vast age of Earth, approximately 4.5 billion years, in comparison to the relatively brief existence of mankind, around 140,000 years. It metaphorically condenses Earth's timeline into a single day, highlighting that human presence equates to a mere 3 seconds. Despite our short time, humans have made significant, yet arguably not wise, impacts on the planet, such as splitting atoms for both energy and warfare, and contributing to environmental issues like pollution, deforestation, and mass extinction of species. The paragraph calls for a recognition of our interconnectedness with nature and the urgent need for wisdom over mere intelligence.

🌳 The Importance of Wisdom and Connection

The second paragraph delves into the difference between intelligence and wisdom, suggesting that while humans are smart, we have not been wise in our actions towards the environment. It discusses the consequences of our actions, such as stronger storms, droughts, hurricanes, and wildfires, and the rapid extinction of species. The paragraph stresses the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of all life and the need to reconnect with nature to prevent further environmental degradation. It also touches on the role of corporations in keeping us disconnected and the power of collective action to effect change.

🌱 The Miracle of Life and Our Responsibility

This paragraph highlights the miraculous nature of life on Earth, emphasizing our unique position in the solar system as the only known planet with life. It points out the importance of recognizing the value of our natural resources and the interconnectedness of all species. The paragraph calls for a reevaluation of our priorities, advocating for the protection of the environment and the right to clean food, water, and air. It encourages viewers to take action against the forces that threaten our planet and to embrace a future of love, connection, and freedom.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Homo sapiens

Homo sapiens, meaning 'wise man,' is a term used to describe the species to which all modern humans belong. In the context of the video, it is used to highlight the irony that despite our self-proclaimed wisdom, our actions have had significant negative impacts on the planet. The script points out that our intelligence has led to technological advancements but also to environmental destruction and the potential extinction of other species.

💡Nuclear warfare

Nuclear warfare refers to conflicts involving the use of nuclear weapons, which have the potential to cause massive destruction and long-term environmental damage. The script mentions this as an example of how human intelligence has been used to create destructive technologies, contrasting with the idea of 'wise men' and raising questions about the true nature of human wisdom.

💡Mother Nature

Mother Nature is a personification of the Earth's natural systems and an embodiment of the idea that the environment has a life-giving and nurturing aspect. The video script uses this term to emphasize the disconnect between human actions and the needs of the natural world, suggesting that we have ignored the 'screams' of Mother Nature and failed to heed her 'help wanted' signs, leading to environmental crises.

💡Environmental destruction

Environmental destruction refers to the degradation of the natural environment through human activities, such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change. The script highlights this concept as a direct result of human actions, indicating that our pursuit of progress and convenience has come at the expense of the planet's health and biodiversity.

💡Extinction

Extinction is the permanent loss of a species, typically due to factors such as habitat destruction, overhunting, or climate change. The video script discusses the alarming rate at which species are becoming extinct, attributing this to human activities and suggesting that many beloved animal characters from children's books may soon disappear, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

💡Goldilocks principle

The Goldilocks principle, derived from the fairy tale character, is used in science to describe a situation that is 'just right' for a particular outcome. In the context of the video, it refers to Earth's position in the solar system, which is optimal for supporting life. The script uses this to highlight the uniqueness and preciousness of our planet, contrasting it with the potential loss of this 'paradise' due to human actions.

💡Genetic connection

Genetic connection refers to the shared DNA among different species, indicating a common evolutionary history. The script mentions this to stress the interconnectedness of all life on Earth, suggesting that the loss of any species affects the entire web of life and that we must recognize this connection to prevent further environmental harm.

💡Corporations

Corporations are large business entities that often have significant economic and political influence. The video script criticizes corporations for keeping people unaware and disconnected from the environmental consequences of their actions, implying that they contribute to environmental problems by prioritizing profit over the well-being of the planet.

💡Global warming

Global warming is the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due primarily to human activities, such as the emission of greenhouse gases. The script identifies global warming as a symptom of a larger problem, which is humanity's disconnection from and disregard for the natural world.

💡Natural rights

Natural rights are rights that are believed to be inherent by virtue of human nature and not contingent upon the laws, beliefs, or opinions of any particular culture or government. In the video, the term is used to argue for the fundamental right to clean food, water, and air, which the script suggests have been compromised by environmental degradation.

💡Butterfly effect

The butterfly effect is a concept from chaos theory that suggests that small causes can have large effects in complex systems. The script uses this metaphor to illustrate the potential power of individual actions when combined, suggesting that collective efforts can lead to significant change and a better future for the planet.

Highlights

Planet Earth is 4.5 billion years old, while mankind is only about 140,000 years old.

If the Earth's lifespan were condensed into 24 hours, mankind's existence would be just 3 seconds.

Homo sapiens, meaning 'wise men,' have made significant technological advancements but also face moral and environmental questions.

Human intelligence has led to the splitting of the atom and the creation of machines that explore the universe, but also to nuclear warfare.

The quest for new homes in the universe has led to neglect of our own planet, with environmental repercussions.

Wisdom is differentiated from intelligence by its ability to listen and understand the consequences of actions.

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, a principle ignored at our peril in the face of environmental crises.

Pollution, deforestation, and carbon emissions are at record levels, contributing to stronger storms and more frequent natural disasters.

The current rate of animal extinction is 1,000 times the normal rate, with many beloved species predicted to go extinct within the next 10 to 100 years.

The 'circle of life' has been turned into a conveyor belt by human actions, with severe ecological consequences.

We are perfectly positioned in the solar system to support life, a rare and precious condition known as the 'Goldilocks' zone.

Every species is genetically connected, emphasizing the importance of recognizing our place in the ecosystem.

The real crisis is not just environmental but a crisis of disconnection and misdirection from our true nature.

Corporations often keep us unaware and disconnected from the reality of environmental degradation.

Many people are waking up to the reality of environmental issues and the need for action.

The power of individual and collective action can create significant change, as illustrated by the butterfly effect.

It is our duty to protect the environment and ensure access to clean food, water, and air as natural rights.

The call to action is for individuals to recognize the urgency and work together for a better future.