Here's a statistic that could choke a cow: David Attenborough says human beings and their domesticated animals now account for 96 percent of the global mass of all mammals. Of the birds left in the world, 70% are poultry chickens and other farmed birds. Humans and their support systems are breeding themselves out of existence. Rampant capitalism (i.e., greed) and other forms of extremism require growth to continue their existence, but growth is the very thing that's going to kill us all. Very thought-provoking piece, Dan. I'm provoked in many ways by this. BTW, my dad always maintained that beans will save the planet. Eat beans at every meal. The more you eat, the better you feel. Or something like that! LOL!