Some of us still get all weepy when we think about the Gaia Hypothesis, the idea that earth is a big furry goddess-creature who resembles everybody's mom in that she knows what's best for us. But if you look at the historical record -- Krakatoa, Mt. Vesuvius, Hurricane Charley, poison ivy, and so forth down the ages -- you have to ask yourself: Whose side is she on, anyway?

Summary

This quote is a playful critique of the Gaia Hypothesis, stating that some people are sentimental about the idea of Earth as a nurturing mother figure who has our best interests at heart. However, the historical evidence of natural disasters and harmful elements like poison ivy raises the question of whose side Mother Earth is really on. It implies that although humans may perceive the Earth as benevolent, the reality is that nature can be both nurturing and destructive, challenging the notion of a solely nurturing Earth goddess.

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