Is humanity suicidal?
source: http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/features/print/1298/is-humanity-suicidal
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- twodee
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Is humanity suicidal? Eminent U.S. zoologist and author, E.O. Wilson, first asked himself that question more than a decade ago. And today?
Ecologists like to make this point with the French riddle of the lily pond. At first there is only one lily pad in the pond, but the next day there are two, and thereafter each of its descendants doubles. The pond completely fills with lily pads in 30 days.
When is the pond exactly half full? Answer: on the 29th day.
Yet, mathematical exercises aside, who can safely measure the human capacity to overcome the perceived limits of Earth? The question of central interest is this: are we racing to the brink of an abyss, or are we just gathering speed for a take off to a wonderful future?
The crystal ball is clouded; the human condition baffles all the more because it is both unprecedented and bizarre, almost beyond understanding.
Ecologists like to make this point with the French riddle of the lily pond. At first there is only one lily pad in the pond, but the next day there are two, and thereafter each of its descendants doubles. The pond completely fills with lily pads in 30 days.
When is the pond exactly half full? Answer: on the 29th day.
Yet, mathematical exercises aside, who can safely measure the human capacity to overcome the perceived limits of Earth? The question of central interest is this: are we racing to the brink of an abyss, or are we just gathering speed for a take off to a wonderful future?
The crystal ball is clouded; the human condition baffles all the more because it is both unprecedented and bizarre, almost beyond understanding.
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Ras_Yuhanna
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Check out M. Night Shaylaman's the Happening
- 3 years ago
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Ras_Yuhanna
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twodee
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As E.O. Wilson accepts his 2007 TED Prize, he makes a plea on behalf of all creatures that we learn more about our biosphere -- and build a networked encyclopedia of all the world's knowledge about life.
- 3 years ago
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twodee
