germ theory ideas
After a conversation with the lady last night about her efforts to clear her office of antibacterial soaps/sanitizers, I've been toying with some ideas. I have only rudimentary understanding of microorganism behavior/dynamics, but I see clear analogues with invasive exotic plants.
Most invasive exotics only become established in disturbed environments. You see them spring up in vacant lots, along highways and roads, clearcuts, constructions sites, freshly tilled soil, etc. From there, they can encroach on surrounding habitats, but in most cases they need to establish themselves in a disturbed environment first. In well-established environments, complex relationships between multiple plant and animal species prevent any single species from monopolizing all of the resources.
Compare to germs and sanitizers. When we take antibiotics, or use antibacterial soaps, we are "disturbing the environment," creating the conditions for "invasive exotics" to proliferate. We kill off the entire ecosystem on our countertop or cutting board or hands, and instead of staying "clean" these environments are quickly recolonized. Sometimes these organisms are adapted such that they exploit the resources in their environment more effectively, to the point of damaging the environment (spreading toxins, eating your flesh.)
Note that this doesn't even touch on the "superbug" theory...all I'm saying is that antibacterial substances may leave you vulnerable to "invasive exotics" that previously would not have been able to establish themselves in a harmful manner.
Maybe this is obvious to everybody? but I find it an interesting analogue.
ps. I worked for some time removing invasive exotics in the Florida Keys. Hard fun work, and the subject has fascinated me ever since.
Most invasive exotics only become established in disturbed environments. You see them spring up in vacant lots, along highways and roads, clearcuts, constructions sites, freshly tilled soil, etc. From there, they can encroach on surrounding habitats, but in most cases they need to establish themselves in a disturbed environment first. In well-established environments, complex relationships between multiple plant and animal species prevent any single species from monopolizing all of the resources.
Compare to germs and sanitizers. When we take antibiotics, or use antibacterial soaps, we are "disturbing the environment," creating the conditions for "invasive exotics" to proliferate. We kill off the entire ecosystem on our countertop or cutting board or hands, and instead of staying "clean" these environments are quickly recolonized. Sometimes these organisms are adapted such that they exploit the resources in their environment more effectively, to the point of damaging the environment (spreading toxins, eating your flesh.)
Note that this doesn't even touch on the "superbug" theory...all I'm saying is that antibacterial substances may leave you vulnerable to "invasive exotics" that previously would not have been able to establish themselves in a harmful manner.
Maybe this is obvious to everybody? but I find it an interesting analogue.
ps. I worked for some time removing invasive exotics in the Florida Keys. Hard fun work, and the subject has fascinated me ever since.