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Comment by pantulis | Hacker News Reader

What would Mother Nature think of all this?

We are mother nature and mother nature is us. It's all intertwined. An iPhone is as natural as a banana (earth -> tree -> banana, earth -> human -> iphone). The unnatural would be, by definition, impossible.

This is a very important truth to keep in mind and an interesting new thought for most.

Either humans are unique and non-animal, or we and all our works are as natural as anthills and bird nests.

Yes, humans are unique.

> The way things are, the totality of all things in the physical universe and their order, especially the physical world in contrast to spiritual realms and flora and fauna as distinct from human conventions, art, and technology.[0]

Without this exception "natural" loses all meaning; nothing would be considered artificial because everything inevitably comes from the earth.

[0] https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nature

I've seen people use "constructed" instead of "artificial", and I think it does make sense because it relates to the human action and intention behind the changes we make to the environment. I'm not too sure what would be the alternative to "natural" though.

About what? That we formed civilization, instead of being in packs hunting and gathering? Probably nothing, because mother nature is not personified being.

I imagine if there were a Mother Nature it would be proud of us, we’re quite creative and unusual.

I’m not sure what it would think about iPhone 12 regulations. I suspect it would consider that a bit of a niche detail.

As long as it’s carbon neutral it’s A-OK!

Mother nature doesn't exist. It's a man-made concept that can think anything you want it to.

Parent commenter likely references the quick film which featured Mother Nature in yesterday’s Apple event.

Exactly!

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