Dominick+M’s+Final+AmEx+Speech+2016

The one question that we have asked ourselves as the human race since the dawn of space exploration is: are we alone? This question refers to sentient and intelligent life that we hope to find amount the starts and planets in the infinite expanse of space. All the while we did not realize that we just had to look in our own backyards to find amazingly adapted and advanced creatures. The Axolotl salamander for instance was just discovered in the caves of Mexico and found to have amazing regenerative powers. Even enough to regrow its head! But to understand the purpose of my speech we must go back, way back when the earth was still young. When volcanos were constantly erupting forming the geology we know today. Back when poisonous gas filled the air and the only water sources were stagnant pools. One theory on the creation of life is that lightning struck one of these stagnant pools and brought into existence the first microorganisms. These microorganisms would later on adapt and evolve into much more advanced macro organisms. For example in the Cambrian period 540 million years ago there existed the worlds first super predator. A giant 6 foot long man-sized shrimp called Animalocaris. This creature was perfectly suited for its role of hunting down trilobites, small invertebrates that would crawl along the ocean floor eating the detriment and waste. Then go to the Devonian period and we have a creature called Dunkleosteus a 30 foot long armored fish that some scientists debate had the ability to crush rock with its jaws. Come to the Triassic period and we have even more advanced organisms like the Postosuchus meaning before crocodile. The crocodilian family has been exceptionally successful throughout the years with some still existing today such as crocodiles alligators and gharials. Time passes and creatures become more advanced getting to things like the Stegosaurus in the Jurassic period. A large creature that had developed spikes on its tail or defense and plates on its back for defense. Moving forward life becomes even more advanced with recognizable creatures such as the Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Triceratops. Finally come to the Pleistocene epoch or more colloquially known as the Ice age and humans come in for the next 100,000 years. However what is the first thing humans do coming into existence? They hunt the mammoth to extinction. Despite the fact that we have only been around for 100,000 years compared to the 540 million years that animals have been here, humans seem to think that they can take advantage of animals. Prior to this animals had been living in harmony. They didn't willingly commit mass genocide like people do. They isn't overproduce and over-consume like people do. Also animals provide us with great companionship. My dog shadow for example has been a great help. My sister was afflicted with the West Nile virus about a year ago. The West Nile virus is an awful disease that causes certain parts of the body to temporarily become paralyzed. Sometimes it was her legs, sometimes it was her arms. Sometimes it was everything. And as me and my mom would stand there completely helpless as she lay there paralyzed my dog would just have to come up and give her a lick and a nuzzle and she would smile. So the America I want to grow old in is an America where we learn to adapt and evolve our thinking to live with animals just like they have adapted and evolved their thinking and lifestyles to live with us.

Sources: "The complete guide to prehistoric life" by Tim Hanes and Paul Chambers