The second chapter depicts the notion that disease epidemics are occurring as a result of human encroachment into the natural world. Encroachment causes damage in both realms. Humans and animals both suffer from homosapien greed and need for space. The human population is rapidly growing, causing a lack of living space. As a dominant species with a high birth success rate, encroachment is bound to happen, but not without consequences. The animals suffer habitat destruction and population decrease. Humans gain land and food, but at what cost. Disease exists in the animal kingdom and encroachment causes likelihood of spreading disease.
Chapter 2, Thirteen Gorillas speaks about Ebola, I find this chapter particularly interesting because of the obvious blunt depiction of human encroachment, that led to thousands of human and ape deaths. I find this topic incredibly important because it provides consequences to the rapid growth and development of the human population. I've been around many people who think they are invencible, and untouchable by the natural world. They live their lives is complete ignorance of their ecological footprint and impact. Although the Ebola outbreak occurred out of desperation and dire need for food, in a place and environment that justly didn't deserve to happen, the event provided light onto consequences of human domination.
Reading spillover also helped me think more about my daily actions. I started to notice traits that might make me or others superspreaders, like the fact that my family never cleans door knobs or the fact that i push elevator buttons with no hesitation.