Disqus - Latest Comments for Tearstains

Re: Glum

Steen — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:04:33 -0000

Tell that to all the bacteria I've been working with that consume oil! Oil has tons of energy tied up in all those bonds, the only reason most microorganisms don't use it is because they can't get past the whole insoluble-in-water-thing. But, for those that do find a way, oil = feast time.

In fact, that's why so many times we drill and think we found oil, only to find out it's all been chewed up and spoiled by bacteria already. Usually just a bunch of useless short-chain hydrocarbons are left. Just like if you left a piece of chicken on your countertop too long.

Re: Glum

ollie — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:21:40 -0000

only to ourselves... aside from crashing our planet into the sun, nothing we do matters. life comes and goes from the surface of the planet with predictable regularity. and, in the big picture, the planet itself is just a speck orbiting a mote. not much more significant than the slime that grows on the moist side of rocks, raising the oxygen level of the atmosphere and creating a whole new biosphere.

so, if we suffocate in our own effluence, the planet will go on!

Re: Glum

Tearstains — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:19:10 -0000

No other creature consumes oil. We exhaust the world's natural resources and destroy the environment in the process of spreading. Yes, we are just life, but we are the most dangerous life form on this planet.