Re: "monkey trap"

[Collette McNeill <collette@mlwebworks.com>]

Jay Hanson wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Marasigan . Vicente <vic@pusit.admu.edu.ph>
>
> >mindset as flawed.)  By 2030, our young people will be in executive
> >positions and they can begin rebuilding the global economy on more
> >intellectual and moral foundations.

My limited experience observing people leads me to beleive that they
grow up to be like their parents - (greedy, closed-minded, selfish,
hypocritcal) and there's no chance that meaningful social change can
take place in 30 years.

> The problem is that this is a "one-shot affair".  We are blowing this
> one and there won't be another:
>
> "It has been often said that, if the human species fails to make a go
> of it here on Earth, some other species will take over the running. In
> the sense of developing intelligence this is not correct. We have, or
> soon will have, exhausted the necessary physical prerequisites so far
> as this planet is concerned. With coal gone, oil gone, high-grade
> metallic ore gone, no species however competent can make the long
> climb from primitive conditions to high-level technology. This is a
> one-shot affair. If we fail, this planetary system fails so far as
> intelligence is concerned. The same will be true of other planetary
> systems. On each of them there will be one chance, and one chance
> only." -- cosmologist Fred Hoyle
>

One fallacy in this argument is that Mr. Hoyle doesn't account for any
new supplies of oil or coal or high-grade metal ore being formed in
the earth's crust once humans use their supply up or stick it all in
their landfills.  Another is that he assumes only one "breed" of
intelligence, dependent on high technology as humans know it; I own a
parrot who says otherwise.

To assume that humans are the only chance that the earth will house an
intelligent society is narcissistic and in my opinion, off-topic.  I
hope people focusing on the problem of fixing our current society do
so with a realistic view of humankind's range (we're not all that) and
scope (we won't change our comfort level just to save the world).

humbly,
collette