The impact humanity has had on the planet is undeniable. Further, we really are the apex predator globally and we have caused the extinction of numerous species. By most measures it’s absolutely true that we have taken over the planet, imho.

If you go by impact alone, humans are still not the most influential organism.

Cyanobacteria literally poisoned the atmosphere and triggered a global ice age. [0]

[0] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Oxidation_Event

That's a very old hat. What has Cyanobacteria done lately, as in the last billion years? Reminiscing about the glory days? We are the future (of screwing things up).

Kids these days don’t appreciate the classics.

There might’ve been other sludges, but no-one ever tried ‘em.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CSX1jNPtNBU

But that was billions of years ago! Cyanobacteria just peaked early. Give us a few more years, and I'm sure we'll catch up splendidly.

Give us a few years? Sadly…

humans have flown to the moon