Have started reading about the Symbiocine. Unlike the term 'anthropocene' this is not about identifying a geological epoch. Rather it is a tool to help frame discussions about our understanding of the planet. Presumably all geological epochs can be described as the symbiocine for the term refers to the fact that all organisims are intertwined. In that sense it is reminiscent of Lovelock's Gaia hypothesis. Given the difficulties we face in getting politicians to take positive action on climate change the term may be a useful way of highlighting that all of our actions have a global impact.
Dear John,
as you point out yourself, the term "symbiocene" constitutes a normative concept rather than a descriptive/empirical/diagnostic etc. scientific term. As Earth scientists, we have known for a VERY LONG time that all forms of life on this planet are intertwined with each other in highly complex ways (the "web of life") as well as with the non-living world. As such, I don't see any need for new terminologies here. But if people find it to be a useful tool to call for action, then why not use it as a normative category...
Best,
Julius
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