If we weren't Homo sapiens we'd be...

[treegod]

Take a look at this and tell me what you think. If we weren't labelled Homo sapiens then we'd be... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_al ... an_species

[Frog]

Interesting list! Not sure what I'd want to be!

[saphera]

I chose this one. It fits for how we think these days....
Homo sentimentalis "sentimental man" man born to a civilization of sentiment, who has raised feelings to a category of value; the human ability to empathize, but also to idealize emotions and make them servants of ideas.

[treegod]

That is nice. I liked Homo poeticus "the meaning maker".

[panidaho]

On another forum I frequent, a suggestion was made (based upon our apparent lack of ability to see the consequences of our actions) to rename our species Homo dumbass dumbass.

I think the idea perhaps has some merit, given recent events.

[DJ Droood]

hetro sapiens.

[Aylyn]

I agree with panidaho, as I come into work every morning with the feeling our species should be renamed homo stupidus. Why we have auch a large brain is beyond me, since most of us do not use even a tiny sliver.....

[treegod]

Yes but, no but, yes but, no but... Homo Idiotus does seem rather accurate, but I was hoping that we could salvage the baby from the bath water. Anything more hoepful than that. I mean do you look in the mirror and think Homo thicko?

[Aylyn]

I mean do you look in the mirror and think Homo thicko?

Let's just put it this way: I try to get better, and could slap myself every time I do something stupid, and believe me, I do. But at least I try to improve, unlike so many people around me who seem utterly oblivious and very happy with it. And in all fairness, being stupid makes you happy, so maybe I should try it....

[treegod]

I try to get better

So, Homo discens?

and could slap myself every time I do something stupid, and believe me, I do.

Or Homo patiens?

And in all fairness, being stupid makes you happy, so maybe I should try it....

What's latin for "What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over" or "Ignorance is bliss"?

Maybe Homo inermis might do?

[wolf560]

I like Plato's description "Featherless Biped"....
...nothing said about our intelligence or how good we are at something we probably aren't...

We are what we are despite any description to the contrary.

An "Apex Predator" sitting at the top of the food chain with the power to change (and/or destroy) anything we touch.

With power comes responsibility...
...with great power comes a huge electric bill at the end of the month.

[Kullervo]

Pan sapiens!