Let Them Die!! (??)

Let Them Die

https://connectusfund.org/17-biggest-pros-and-cons-of-controlled-forest-fires

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_by_contradiction 

Sometimes in class I took an opposite viewpoint to get discussion.  Also as a Math major to solve a problem I had to assume the opposite and then prove a contradiction.

Wikipedia describes it this way::  (see link for more)
“In logic and mathematics, proof by contradiction is a form of proof that establishes the truth or the validity of a proposition, by showing that assuming the proposition to be false leads to a contradiction.”

The first link today is the pros and cons of controlled forest fires.

Here are some of the pros of a controlled forest fire:

1. Forest fires help to clean the forest floor.

2. Forest fires promote healthier trees.

3. Forest fires help to increase water availability.

4. Forest fires help to kill disease that can impact the biome.

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The concept being that in a forest there are down and decaying trees - full of bugs and termites; there are shrubs that suck the water out of the ground that could have gone to the trees.  Following Darwin, a controlled burn leads to ‘survival of the fittest.

Now some cons to controlled forest fires:

1. Forest fires can be overly destructive in their work.

2. Forest fires can burn more than trees.

3. Forest fires can create health problems for people.

4. Forest fires can trigger mudslides, landslides, and other forms of erosion.

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These cons all use the verb “can”.  The implication is that forest fires can get out of control and really lead to major disasters.

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So, Karen, what is your point today?  Why are you talking about forests?

That is where my opening statement about proof by contradiction and attempting to get discussion.

Question:  Why not just let the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) do its thing?

It would be like a massive application of Darvin’s Survival of the fittest concept.  It would clean out the sick and the weak. The resources that the infirm and sick consume could be used by others.  And, (I don’t know this) - humankind would develop an immunity to the coronavirus.

The last comment reminds me of the smallpox vaccination.  “The smallpox vaccine protects people from smallpox by helping their bodies develop immunity to smallpox.

Euthanasia is the concept of: “the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma

There you go - survival of the fittest!!  A great way to clear ‘the deadwood’ out of the system.

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With the forest fire analogy, there were reasons against controlled burns.  

What reasons might we have to keep the weak and infirm alive?  

Obviously, in the Judeo-Christian viewpoint, a human life is sacred.  But do we really treat human life as sacred? As my parents moved to assisted living, they still were a joy to those around them.  They laughed and shared memories with their children and grandchildren.  

Hey, I’m 72, I have limited reasons to live - and to use up limited resources (such as toilet paper, bottled water, and whatever else people are hoarding).  If all the sick and elderly gave up their toilet paper, there would be a glut.

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So, friends - a moral dilemma for you.  Let the coronavirus sweep through the population as a controlled burn in a forest - OR - show love and affection to those sick and elderly who brought us to this point - those that educated us (like LMG and myself); those that provided jobs for people (JB), those that got us to fly from point A to point S(LB).  And, the rest of you.  

Does love have a meaning in this discussion?  Are economics important (LB - the senior)?  

What do you think?  Please share in the comments!!!

Karen