The Intricate Balance of Life

Had the inspiration to think about this during my LSM lecture. When the lecturer was explaining about how delicate proteins structure fold in a certain manner, and thus providing a functional purpose makes me think that Life at the microscopic level is near to perfect. For example, in the structure of enzymes, the protein structure is made up by a defined sequence of amino acids, with each and everyone of them in the correct place. It is with this precision of nature, of the atoms and molecules, and the properties of each atom (e.g electronegatively, inertness, various functional groups such as the COOH carboxylic groups) that Life began at the very microscopic level.

Its even ridiculous and amazing to think about how we humans are actually made up of these atoms, enzymes, cells, and more general, cellular structures, all combining in organismic synergy. It is the precision of nature in the nanoworld, that led to the completion of the macroworld.

Another point of interest is the near perfect living system that is created on Earth. One example is the availability of water, a rarity in many other planets, but essential to lifeform sustainability. Another example is the food web in an ecosystem which delicately balances the population amongst wildlife, insects, plants and all other creatures.

However there is a disturbing issue that concerns me, and that is us Humans, a species that is exploiting the Earth resources at a rate so scary, one that unbalances natural habitats and subsequently leading many other species to extinction. If there is a "higher being, or GOD" out there, I would like to question why was Humans created, and even so, why a creature like us is created with a level of intelligence that is considered superior when compared to others. What is the purpose of this "god-given" intelligence?

I have a theory that seeks to explain this. Perhaps this intelligence given is also an example of precision of nature. Maybe we are not disturbing the true balance of the ecosystem, but rather, we are part of the balance, we are part of the natural foodweb that surrounds all other species. The Darwinian theme of survival of the fittest is clearly demonstrated at the human level. Even politics attest to this, as superpower nations like US seeks to apply military pressure against other nations that are presumably threatening to the US. The constant wars is a form of balance that lowers the worlds population once in a while. Epidemics such as SARs, ebola virus and the plague does so similarly. Human vices such as greed and lust sometimes lead to their death. Natural diseases too keep our population in check. Yet, even with all these examples, the human population is growing at an ever exponential rate. It is perplexing why nature has allowed this to happen, and if this is the plan of nature, maybe the existence of human has a deeper purpose on Earth.

I conclude with the idea that maybe we are all pieces of a well-designed jigsaw puzzle, put in place by a greater being. Maybe he is nature, maybe he is God, or maybe he is just an imaginative figure conjured by our contemporary thoughts. This jigsaw puzzle is eventually complete, not a piece less or a piece more. It is this final complete picture that we are all trying to understand.