RE: Of Bats and Infant Mortality
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Below is a relatively current distribution map of white nose syndrome
This is one thing I love about humanity - whenever I end up diving deep into some geeky thing, there's always some really detailed, usually interactive map displaying all the research in one place, things most normal humans wouldn't even consider thinking about as an issue.
I'm always fascinated by the chain of causality in so many things, and just how incomprehensibly complex it can be, like, to make up an example that could probably be true: We stop using plastic straws --> We use paper straws --> The straw paper is made in a particular country --> The increase in demand increases water demand --> drains the lakes --> keystone locust-eating species gets wiped out --> overpopulation of locusts --> they wipe the... wheat production from several countries during their migration --> a country 8,000 miles away ends up with food insecurity and malnourishment.
This kinda thing really happens! And it's wild that smart people are keeping track of it all while we go about our day
I was sure nobody would look at that map. I'm so glad you did. It's the kind of thing that gets my attention.
Causality. Can be scary and powerful. Butterfly effect.
Good or bad? Who knows. As we move through the universe we matter in more ways than we realize, even the least of us.
Thanks very much for reading, and commenting, @mobbs. Hope all the butterflies in your life are good ones :))