Microbe support groups

Yesterday I read two separate items about humans finding life on earth that hasn’t been disturbed for millions of years. The first was a news tidbit about scientists finding microbes living several miles deep in South African gold mines. The second was in a book on how nuclear waste is buried in areas of the earth that are very deep and untouched, with again microbes that have been living undisturbed for millions of years. Now – it was a complete coincidence that I happened to come across these two items on the same day, and likely I’m one of the only persons that would find this coincidence… but I am disturbed by it. First – haven’t we messed up the planet enough that now we are going into remote areas to ensue more damage? It reminds me of a telemarketer – they can’t get much by calling people during dinner time, so they decide to call senior citizens during the day time. The seniors know nothing about unlimited long distance for $20 a month, or magazine subscriptions for a low low price! These poor microbes never saw it coming! Imagine living a completely calm and isolated life in the depths of the earth for such a long time to then have your privacy invaded by probes and nuclear waste. Those microbes are going to need serious therapy.