| _version_ | 1866902107771109376 |
|---|---|
| author | Happ, Gregory Meikel |
| author_facet | Happ, Gregory Meikel |
| contents | <p>This preprint proposes a novel hypothesis: that humanity fulfills a functional role as a catalyst within Earth's and potentially the universe’s systems. Humans are not morally superior or glorified agents; rather, our unique capacity for both destruction and creation accelerates processes that would otherwise unfold over geological or cosmic timescales. By examining measurable impacts – including anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, technomass accumulation, nuclear signatures, and interstellar signals – this work demonstrates that no other species or natural process can replicate these effects. The hypothesis suggests that human actions, ambivalent in nature, may serve as mechanisms that drive transformation and evolution on planetary and cosmic scales. This framework opens new avenues for understanding humanity’s functional significance beyond conventional moral or philosophical perspectives.</p> |
| format | Recurso digital |
| id | zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_17096588 |
| institution | Zenodo |
| language | |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Zenodo |
| record_format | zenodo |
| spellingShingle | The Human Catalyst Hypothesis: Humanity as a Functional Accelerator of Planetary and Cosmic Processes Happ, Gregory Meikel <p>This preprint proposes a novel hypothesis: that humanity fulfills a functional role as a catalyst within Earth's and potentially the universe’s systems. Humans are not morally superior or glorified agents; rather, our unique capacity for both destruction and creation accelerates processes that would otherwise unfold over geological or cosmic timescales. By examining measurable impacts – including anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, technomass accumulation, nuclear signatures, and interstellar signals – this work demonstrates that no other species or natural process can replicate these effects. The hypothesis suggests that human actions, ambivalent in nature, may serve as mechanisms that drive transformation and evolution on planetary and cosmic scales. This framework opens new avenues for understanding humanity’s functional significance beyond conventional moral or philosophical perspectives.</p> |
| title | The Human Catalyst Hypothesis: Humanity as a Functional Accelerator of Planetary and Cosmic Processes |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17096588 |