“The most catastrophic errors in human thought and reaction arise not so much from inherent stupidity, but rather from disorientation; starting from a position of mistaken concern, orientation or perspective. Of all of these, perhaps the most pervasive and lethal is the idea that humans are ‘the’ intelligent species on Earth. This is analogous to saying that my thumb is the intelligent member of my hand. The biosphere is not merely more intelligent than we are, it is transentient. And we represent a minute organ in this vast family of beings, nearly all of which demonstrate vastly superior ‘intelligence’ to that to which we lay claim. A similar error is the idea that humans represent ‘the pinnacle’ of organismal evolution. Not only are we ‘not at the top’, our brains have proven to be one of natures deadliest innovations… even to ourselves. So how might we begin to correct these issues? A good start would be establishing meaningful contact and relation with the vastly underestimated intelligences of nature, living places, and other organisms. Firsthand.”

— an anonymous informant