Christine:
My brilliant response to your post follows. . .
"Terrence, it's very late and I am getting a headache trying to think of how to respond to your post. You said a lot, but what strikes me first is the realization that some people believe space is ours for the asking--sort of like America was several hundred years ago--imminent domain. What actually gives us the right to colonize space, anyway? Do you believe we can just set up shop on other planets without fighting wars and/or signing treaties with aliens who might also have a proprietary interest? Do you believe there are other intelligent creatures out there?"
The Moon, Mars and Venus are ours for the asking. As to other star systems -- if we want them badly enough, we will find a way. And yes, Virginia, there are ETs. . . 'Out There'.
"The second thing I noticed is your assumption that we have to grow beyond this planet. Why? Is it because we will outpopulate this one? There are all sorts of natural curbs on growth when populations move quickly towards the maximum sustainable numbers, and I think we are seeing these in operation now as the estimated population in the next century has just had a billion knocked off of it because the poorest among us are having fewer children by choice. Are you saying we cannot stop growing?"
To stop growing is to die. That is true of all life forms. By the 22nd Century Earth's human population will exceed 30 billion, yet seem less crowded than it is today, with another tens or hundreds of millions residing on Luna and Mars.
"Or that it is a given that we will totally ruin, mine, rape, pollute and otherwise destroy this planet so we have to move on?
My, you have a lovely view of Mankind and all our achievements!
"I think we could live happily with natural foods and no pesticides, rejuvenate the fish in the sea and the rainforest, and sustain ourselves forever here if we choose certain decisions now."
You advocate returning to an idyllic agrarian society (while of necessity to achieve that twisted dream eliminating 3 - 4 billion humans along the way?) What's wrong with this picture? -- No thanks!
It sounds like you may not believe that is possible. Is that true?"
It is possible, but what a horrible future of lambs -- not lions! Reminds me of H. G. Wells' vision of the future in The Time Machine: the Eloi, sheep instead of men and women.
Father Terrence |
