The "Batavia Scenario" seems to be very popular as our likely final exit. I really hope we can do better than that. As often as I can, I get out under the stars and look up (usually with a preposterously long focal length refractor). Every now and then I spot a piece of space junk zipping through my field of vision and reflect on how well we work together. I think our future may be less gruesome than we imagine and we might already be transitioning away from what is commonly regarded as "human". A few years ago there was a lot of commentary about what a "post human" population may look like with a heavy accent on genetic and biomechanical augmentation. Coincidentally I recently had a suboptimal circulatory event and am now walking around with some reinforced internal ducting. Replacement of heart valves and arteries is becoming elective rather than emergency surgery. These sorts of modification are increasingly common and breathtakingly ambitious horizons are appearing (google chip anyone?). We may soon morph into a group as distinct from homo sapiens as that benighted breed is from the Neanderthals. So perhaps not an ending of the human race but a move towards something different - hopefully Fred Hollows and Victor Chang rather than Batavia. But we still have to fix up the climate.....
Happy Christmas and clear skies everyone
Jon
