Do humans serve a purpose?

     Even the lowly and malaligned cockroach has an important role in its ecosystem and the system would be the lesser without it. Every creature one can name serves a purpose on earth. Sorry bug-haters. Bugs are probably the most important. What about humans?  Do humans serve a purpose?

     The arrogant homo sapiens seems to believe that the earth could not survive without them, when the truth of the matter is that the Earth would begin to heal without humans. We are invasive and destructive, destoying almost everything we touch. Even when we think we're doing something good we are generally doing damage to the ecosystem. The only time that we actually do something that is constructive and positive is when we decide that we need to stay away and keep our hands off an area, species, etc.; i.e. do nothing.

     Can you think of any purpose served by homo sapiens?  I can't.  Our continued population growth and expansion threatens every ecosystem and other species on Earth. So let's change the question to 'COULD' humans serve a purpose?  

     Could we, by some miracle such as getting rid of capitalism, actually change our ways and serve a bona fide purpose?  

     I believe that there is evidence that we have the skills and capabilities to actually change from a destructive to productive part of nature.  I do not believe that we have either the desire nor the incentive. We still believe that technology and capitalism are going to get us through the Sixth Extinction.  We will not consider changing our ways until we  actually witness the death.  Once we are absolutely confronted by reality, then I believe two things will happen.  Firstly, many will turn to religion, praying to their gods for salvation. Secondly, we will try to find a technological solution.  When both of those fail, we might consider changing our behavior.  I would suspect that we are incapable of arriving at that point before it is too late. 

     As to what purpose we might serve, I haven't a clue.  I guess we could become a more assessible part of the food chain, but that isn't something to which any species aspires. Besides, observation and some research has shown that most predators don't really like the taste of humans. Even when an another animal kills us, they rarely eat us.  We evidently don't taste like chicken. 

     We have all sorts of physiological advantages over other species. As we look at evolution, we realize that we are the new kid on the block with some serious changes to the brain such as a larger cerebral cortex. One of the advanages of a larger cerebral cortex is that it allows us language skills and greater, or perhaps better said, expanded problem solving skills. Our brains have evolved to the point that we have the ability to abstract.  Put all this with our prehensile hands and opposable thumbs, and you'd think that there is something we could contribute to the good and welfare of nature and our world. 

     Damn!  There must be something we can contribute ... something that we can do other than destroy.