[Alberta's Child]

The dolphins therefore do something no primates except humans do: they form second-order alliances . . .

And yet dolphins only exist because of humanity's good intentions -- all the second-order alliances in the world can't keep them out of the nets of a Japanese trawler fishing for tuna.

[ConsistentLibertarian]

Again, you're making observations without any idea how they link up with issue. Cockroaches exist despite our best intentions to get rid of them. So what?

[jennyp]

In Ridley's story of the dolphins I see a vast difference of degree, but I'm unconvinced it's a difference of kind. The dolphins are able to make & remember abstractions - who owes whom a favor.

And yet dolphins only exist because of humanity's good intentions -- all the second-order alliances in the world can't keep them out of the nets of a Japanese trawler fishing for tuna.

True, but so what? You could say the same thing about your local Indian tribe.