Why Viruses only Decimate and do not Wipeout Host species.
Although it is enticing to ascribe supernatural underpinnings to a virus' raison d'etre, you really only need to embrace common evolution to explain a virus' continued existence. How the first virus arose I'll leave to those who have devoted their lives to the problem. Nevertheless, like any other DNA/RNA containing "organism," the virus wants to reproduce. It has a niche that explodes with resources every time the virus factories (me, you) exceed a certain population density. It's beautifully biblical and there's no denying it. If you, as a species, rape the environment and deplete it of resources because you've decided that being a 'fuck' bunny is the way to go, you're going to go extinct. The virus then comes along and culls certain members of your population; thereby restoring the proper balance. The virus itself then assumes its more staid existence and goes into hiding in a host species that allows it to shed progeny at a slower...