“Primitive – and not so primitive – peoples commonly attempt to bargain with nature,
through prayer, through sacrifice or through ritual persuasion. In doing so they are explicitly adopting a social model, expecting nature to participate in a transaction. But nature will not transact with men; she goes her own way regardless – while her would-be interlocutors feel grateful or feel slighted as the case befits.” – Nicholas Humphrey, “The social function of intellect” (emphasis in original)