Lords of Creation

In the last few weeks, I've been researching a topic called 'Humans and Other Species'. On closer reading, the curriculum calls for analysis of the ways in which humans interact with other animals, so I threw out the material on plants and fungi. It's interesting to see how in our long history humans have assigned various roles (implicitly or explicitly) to animals. I think I can identify almost a dozen such roles:

1. Predators: animals that eat humans.
2. Food: animals eaten by humans or which produce food (e.g. milk, eggs).
3. Vermin: animals that steal human food and do other irritating things.
4. Material Production: animals that produce useful materials on a continuous basis (e.g. wool, feathers) or on a single basis (e.g. leather, ivory).
5. Guards and Hunters: animals trained to stop predators or kill vermin.
6. Guides and Herders: animals trained to look after other animals or assist humans.
7. Transport and Labour: animals used to do work, or to move things and people faster.
8. Companions and Pets: it's hard to tell the difference, sometimes (even between humans).
9. Entertainment: ranging from caged birds to fighting fish and circuses.
10. Experimental Subjects: using animals to test technology where using humans is risky, costly or both.
11. Objects of Religion and Mysticism: in some cultures, certain animals are considered holy; sometimes, they are not worshipped, but their qualities are admired greatly and have special significance in a supernatural way.
12. Creative Subjects: animals as metaphors or as protagonists (and other things) in human creative works.

It's a curious list, and I'd be obliged if anyone out there could add to it.

At the same time, human tendencies towards anthropomorphism and anthropocentrism tend to create attitudes that impact these roles significantly. We kill 11,000 sharks every HOUR just because they have a single tasty part or because they look like threats. That's 100 million sharks a year. The shark is of course the most intelligent and highly developed fish — the latest research shows that it has at least some ability for introspection and a lot of capacity for learning — but that doesn't save it from mass extermination. And we don't even eat most of the meat; a typical shark victim can provide perhaps 200 kg of meat, but this is eaten only in some countries (Australia and India being key consumers). East Asian consumers eat mainly the fins (which at USD220 per kg are a pretty expensive food source).

On the other hand, rodents like hamsters and prairie dogs can be bred quickly and relatively cheaply. But most humans wouldn't dream of breeding them for food. They're too cute.