Humans can't help but think of themselves in animal terms, physically and behaviorally; e.g. having a cat-like appearance, or moving with cat-like grace. If they were to come back after death, the answer is invariably as some sort of living thing, often not another human experience. People naturally fall back on what is known and comfortable, which means looking backward. They don't consider machines as an acceptable next step and purposely stunt their evolution. Presumably, this is due to the fear of a loss of human sensations, which some might consider the loss of what it means to be human/alive.
The ecological definition of "keystone species" is one that can be used as a signal of environmental problems, or would lead to drastic changes if it were completely removed. In other words, a keystone species is an important link in the web making up a biome. I think an alternate definition is a species that can replicate the services of another integral species that migrates or dies off. As the cognitive apex species, humans have created problems as well as manifested solutions. But there is a limit to the number and types of gaps we can fill. However, as tool-makers, we are creating thoughtful artifacts that can solve many more problems more efficiently. Prediction: Robots and AI will be the next apex keystone species.
Earth is becoming cognizant. In the pursuits of efficient information sharing, consumption, and leisurely distraction, humans are laying the needed infrastructure of tubes, lines, and satellites. The planet is receiving an artificial nervous system on top of the natural nervous system. Like ants manipulating fungi, assisting the creation of networks, who knows at what point a global consciousness would arise, and what it would look like.
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