Hello gentlemen. I am very much enjoying this thread (as much as one can, considering the subject matter).

I have a theory that I'd like to bounce off of some like-minded individuals regarding this topic. I don't think it would be too much to assume that at least some of you consider our planet a living organism itself, or herself. Many in this community have come to accept the Gaian model.

Tying this in with my studies in the bio-medical field, I believe that our Mother Earth is undergoing some sort of positive feedback mechanism not too dissimilar to childbirth. In childbirth, when the fetus' head begins to press against the cervix, the hormone oxytocin is released into the bloodstream which causes the uterus to contract, further pressing the fetus' head into and through the cervix.

This process continues and increases in intensity until the infant exits the birth canal.

The positive feedback loop also known as a vicious cycle or a runaway train. They are used in nature to accelerate and facilitate change. (Contrary to negative feedback loops which are used to mitigate change or encourage homeostasis).

So the methane in the atmosphere raises global temperatures and causes more methane to be released from its frozen prisons causing an acceleration in the rise of global temperatures.

Whew, that was a really long-winded way to lead into my simple question. I just wanted to make sure everyone was on the same level and I always have a habit of speaking in metaphors and analogies....Continuing with my child-birthing analogy, in your opinion(s), what was the catalyst to start this cycle (pressure on the cervix)? And what is the end state (It's a boy!)?

Or is there an outside force working on Gaia's body, such as an infection? Maybe humanity?