I feel that it is necessary to clarify an important point about my website, planetarybiology.com. This site is dedicated to the philosophy, language, and methods of modern science. All arguments, analyses, and expositions are intended to conform to the requirements of publicly verifiable, objective evidence, and reason. That applies to this forum, and all other components of this website. This is a science-based site. There are no references to supernatural powers, mystical entities, Goddesses of the Earth, or spirits of any kind.
I make this disclosure because of several references I make to James Lovelock, the creator of the “Gaia Hypothesis.” He argued that life on a world would likely transform that world’s surface environment due to how living things exchange materials with the environment. That insight was pure genius, and Lovelock deserves credit for being the first to successfully reveal this perspective. This I agree with.
But, Lovelock’s Gaia Hypothesis strayed a bit from modern science by hinting that Earth’s environment was maintained constantly fit for life as if being guided by some mysterious spiritual power whom he referred to as Gaia, the Goddess of the Earth. This I totally disagree with.
Life on Earth is a fascinating phenomenon. Its interactions with the planet can result in remarkable transformations of the planetary surface environment, given enough time. We can investigate the patterns of these interactions and come to understand their significance in supporting life and transforming the planet. And we can do this without relying on spirits or other mystical guiding hands.