Can we change our way of life?

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

I once read an SF novel which had a quote something like:


Extract from Galactic Encyclopedia Year 15 000 000 000:
History has shown that when a civilization has to choose between changing their lifestyle and extinction, they choose extinction every time.

What do you think?

[Karls48 (Karl)]

I think that’s correct assessment of the “civilizations”. But then the civilizations are assembly of individuals and some of them will change their lifestyle and survive. To become foundation of new civilization.

[TrevorW]

We as parents are to blame for the current level of anarchy that has manifested itself in the younger generation. Yet these manifestations have occurred in one form or another throughout history and will continue to occur. Will we change probably but inevitably not until it is to late for the bulk of mankind because we are ruled by greedy minorities at all levels who do not have the interests of the community or the longevity of the human race at heart.

Thats my two bob's worth

[GrahamL]

The population as a whole is screwed up though... we still wan't to line up ways to f/up the other guys every week ... wars ... terror wars
and cash up the mechanisims that support it .

[Ian Robinson]

Ditch the free market capitalist system and we might have a chance.

[CoombellKid]

Lets cut the crap out here, it's all about evolution. Either we evolve or we
recycle until we evolve or something smacks into us, or our little ball of life
moves out of the habital zone. Who's not too say the "Big Bang" isn't
something that is actually happening all around us, a kin to super novae
pinging off within our own universe and it's billions of galaxies. Seems to me
the water spinning down my bath is not un-similar to what I see as spiral
arms on a local galaxy, just bigger. Do universe(s) from the outside look
spiral like a galaxies, like cyclones, like the spiral flow of water down my
baths plug hole.... could the answer be that simple. Why are these things
which are unchangeable, constant?

regards,CS

[TrevorW]

Example the recent AS&T mag sited that the USA does not propose putting a man on Mars until 2037 or the moon until 2020. Whats this 60 years between events that could pave the way for man to populate distant worlds. Why you may ask?? , easy answer they'd rather as a Government spend billions of $$$ in fruitless wars propping up those arms companies who's $$$ buy votes so they the pollies can continue to live their egotistical lives instead of spending the same $$$ on mankinds future.

and as to a freemarket economy it works look what's happening in China wouldn't it put a bomb up good old USA's rectum if they landed on the moon or set up a permanent base there before them.

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

Example the recent AS&T mag sited that the USA does not propose putting a man on Mars until 2037 or the moon until 2020. Whats this 60 years between events that could pave the way for man to populate distant worlds. Why you may ask?? , easy answer they'd rather as a Government spend billions of $$$ in fruitless wars propping up those arms companies who's $$$ buy votes so they the pollies can continue to live their egotistical lives instead of spending the same $$$ on mankinds future.

and as to a freemarket economy it works look what's happening in China wouldn't it put a bomb up good old USA's rectum if they landed on the moon or set up a permanent base there before them.

Or if , as is a distinct likelyhood, the USA's economy goes even further down the sewer pipes and spends several years in a deep economic depression (the bailout is waste of time and will only postpone the evitable until the next president is in charge BTW) and China eclipses the USA as the economic powerhouse of the world and becomes the world's no.1 economic power.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

I believe it is a matter of influencing the people around you in ways that make a difference. Your either a part of the problem, or part of the solution. We all make choices every day in the things we buy, how we participate in the global economy. But the important thing is to keep engaging with people, seeking to make a difference. You know, the 100th Monkey effect.
Anyway, this is how I choose to live my life.
Tip #1: Avoid waterfront property
It will no doubt get worse before it starts to get better !

[avandonk]

Colonising any planet in our Solar System will cause more problems than any solution to overpopulation. History is replete with 'civilisations' that completely destroyed their local ecosystem. A few examples Easter Island, the Incas, Machu Pichu and there are many more. The simple fact in the past there was always somewhere unspoiled to move to. We no longer have this luxury as nearly every ecosystem is under extreme pressure due to the proliferation of a certain species of naked ape.

Careful analysis by archaeologists has found that the first sign of any civilisation failing is that early childhood death rate goes up markedly well before complete collapse. If you cannot look after your young you are doomed.

We are all guilty by just being. We really have to rethink the wasteful ways we all use this planets natural resources.

Bert

When I was born in 1949 the total human population was about three billion it is now close to seven billion. This has occurred in less than one lifetime. Another sobering thought is that if you say that modern humans 'started' about three million years ago. Currently of all the the modern humans that ever lived from this arbitrary time about FIVE PERCENT are alive today. Exponential growth is only good for the bottom line of large corporations. We are behaving like bacteria in a petri dish. The bacteria will keep multiplying until all the food runs out. Then the whole colony dies. Surely we are smarter than this?!

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

My friend Matt has put up a site that shows the futiliy of consumption growth:
http://www.consumptiongrowth101.com/

[TrevorW]

Based on these assumptions then as astronomers if we continue to buy astronomical gear, the newer bigger/better camera, the larger telescope or the newer EP we are all contributing too consumption growth and deminish the Earths resources.

Comsumption growth is driven by the rich for the benefit of the rich from the labours of the poor and at our cost, if we reverted to a agrestic society then maybe things would change but it's unlikely this will happen unless a major catastrophe occurs.

[§AB]

Originally Posted by ghsmith45

I once read an SF novel which had a quote something like:


Extract from Galactic Encyclopedia Year 15 000 000 000:
History has shown that when a civilization has to choose between changing their lifestyle and extinction, they choose extinction every time.

What do you think?

To put it one way, that's like asking to choose between KFC and converting to vegetarianism in order to survive.

It'll be a cold day in hell before I ever change....

[TrevorW]

Originally Posted by §AB

To put it one way, that's like asking to choose between KFC and converting to vegetarianism in order to survive.

It'll be a cold day in hell before I ever change....

Meat eaters rule vegies drool :thum bsup:

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

Time for another decimation.
Bird flu, anyone?