Humanity's downfall - how close are we?

[Neo-Logic]

• September 11 attack on the world trade center
• war on terrorism - Afghanistan
• War on terrorism - take down of Saddam Hussein
• Political tension and conflict in Iraq
• Numerous countries pushing for build-up of nuclear weapons
• War between Isreal and Lebanon
• Recent terror plot in England on airliners
• Viral epidemics and outbreaks - SARS, AIDS, Small Pox, West Niles, Bird Flu
• Global warming and its subsequent effects - natural diasters, sea levels rising, endagering numerous species, unpredictable change in ecology and enviroments
• Worldwide poverty
• Worldwide femine
• Genocides in African and Asian countries
• Religious extremists and related terrorisms
• Cyber crimes - identity theft, bank account thefts, frauds, viruses, hackers
• The ever-advancing science of weapons and arms related technologies

This i'm sure is this short list but this is all I could muster in one sitting. It seems that the farther we go along in advancements of technology, civilization, and all things therein, humanity seemingly has been dealt another blow in the long run for the conviniences of the present times.

Take for example the fact that most of the advancements in the last century has contributed more towards the present day's crisis such as widespread use of automobiles and natural fuel consumption which is directly affecting global warming.

Take for example the fact that the advancements in travel technlogy and the information-access via the internet has greatly made the world smaller as a whole. Globalization which means that cultures, religions, and values are colliding and in many cases, for the worse. A direct example of this can be seen in the form of outsourcing and the spread of higher realms of technology being implemented in third world countries without the improper foundations of the neccessary basics just to compete and keep up with the needs of the better off countries which themselves are in perils of their own.

With all the advancements in our civilizations, we still can't do a thing about poverty and starvation to help out the countries in need while the richer countries hold it all. Yet what would happen when the inevitable time comes when these giants fall and with no way of equalizing the gap?

We as a race in the past 100 years have caused more damage and harm to the Earth and are definately hindering ourselves in the long run for our day-to-day present day conviniences. If the end should ever be near, the time as logic would dictate, would be now.

 

[eudaimonia]

Are you familiar with the story of Chicken Little?

Humanity's downfall? Maybe four billion years. Probably a lot longer.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Magurk]

I'd predict closer than we think.

 

[eudaimonia]

I'd predict closer than we think.

Okay, three billion years.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[angellous_evangellous]

• September 11 attack on the world trade center
• war on terrorism - Afghanistan
• War on terrorism - take down of Saddam Hussein
• Political tension and conflict in Iraq
• Numerous countries pushing for build-up of nuclear weapons
• War between Isreal and Lebanon
• Recent terror plot in England on airliners
• Viral epidemics and outbreaks - SARS, AIDS, Small Pox, West Niles, Bird Flu
• Global warming and its subsequent effects - natural diasters, sea levels rising, endagering numerous species, unpredictable change in ecology and enviroments
• Worldwide poverty
• Worldwide femine
• Genocides in African and Asian countries
• Religious extremists and related terrorisms
• Cyber crimes - identity theft, bank account thefts, frauds, viruses, hackers
• The ever-advancing science of weapons and arms related technologies

This i'm sure is this short list but this is all I could muster in one sitting. It seems that the farther we go along in advancements of technology, civilization, and all things therein, humanity seemingly has been dealt another blow in the long run for the conviniences of the present times.

Take for example the fact that most of the advancements in the last century has contributed more towards the present day's crisis such as widespread use of automobiles and natural fuel consumption which is directly affecting global warming.

Take for example the fact that the advancements in travel technlogy and the information-access via the internet has greatly made the world smaller as a whole. Globalization which means that cultures, religions, and values are colliding and in many cases, for the worse. A direct example of this can be seen in the form of outsourcing and the spread of higher realms of technology being implemented in third world countries without the improper foundations of the neccessary basics just to compete and keep up with the needs of the better off countries which themselves are in perils of their own.

With all the advancements in our civilizations, we still can't do a thing about poverty and starvation to help out the countries in need while the richer countries hold it all. Yet what would happen when the inevitable time comes when these giants fall and with no way of equalizing the gap?

We as a race in the past 100 years have caused more damage and harm to the Earth and are definately hindering ourselves in the long run for our day-to-day present day conviniences. If the end should ever be near, the time as logic would dictate, would be now.

Based on the evidence that you've presented here, I don't think that the end is near at all.

You're just aware of a few tragedies, and probably you don't know that these kind of things have been happening for quite a while and humanity is still around.:beach:

The ONLY thing that concerns me is the one thing that you listed that can actually destroy humanity = the nuclear bomb. However, the threat of nuclear bombs actually destorying the entire human race I think is pretty low.

 

[c0da]

Based on the evidence that you've presented here, I don't think that the end is near at all.

You're just aware of a few tragedies, and probably you don't know that these kind of things have been happening for quite a while and humanity is still around.:beach:

The ONLY thing that concerns me is the one thing that you listed that can actually destroy humanity = the nuclear bomb. However, the threat of nuclear bombs actually destorying the entire human race I think is pretty low.

I agree with that guy!

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I agree with that guy!

 

[finalfrogo]

I doubt that a few terrorist attacks or small wars will bring down Humanity--which has endured far greater occurances than the present.

With the world becoming more connected, conflict was inevitable. Rarely is peace gained without the chaos preceding it.

 

[Valjean]

I think you need to clarify exactly what you mean by humanity's downfall -- complete extinction? Reversion to Pleistocene cultures?

We're currently far exceeding the carrying capacity of The Planet. The resources we depend on are becoming more scarce and extraction is becoming problematic and environmentally costly. We've polluted large areas of the land, waters and seas. Large areas of Ocean are ecologically devastated and devoid of fish. Arable land is reverting to desert and agriculture is becoming increasingly dependant on high-tech fixes. The world climate is changing. We are in the midst of the Sixth Extinction and do not even see it.

And still we breed. Still we increase our numbers. We are a planetary infection rapidly destroying our host.

 

[michel]

Based on the evidence that you've presented here, I don't think that the end is near at all.

You're just aware of a few tragedies, and probably you don't know that these kind of things have been happening for quite a while and humanity is still around.:beach:

The ONLY thing that concerns me is the one thing that you listed that can actually destroy humanity = the nuclear bomb. However, the threat of nuclear bombs actually destorying the entire human race I think is pretty low.

AE, you're thinkin' the right way, thanks!

 

[angellous_evangellous]

AE, you're thinkin' the right way, thanks!

:grill:

 

[Yerda]

Species tend to last on average far longer than humans have so far. We appear to be the only species that worries about the damage we're doing to our environments, maybe that'll do us good for the future.

 

[Smoke]

I think you need to clarify exactly what you mean by humanity's downfall -- complete extinction? Reversion to Pleistocene cultures?

We're currently far exceeding the carrying capacity of The Planet. The resources we depend on are becoming more scarce and extraction is becoming problematic and environmentally costly. We've polluted large areas of the land, waters and seas. Large areas of Ocean are ecologically devastated and devoid of fish. Arable land is reverting to desert and agriculture is becoming increasingly dependant on high-tech fixes. The world climate is changing. We are in the midst of the Sixth Extinction and do not even see it.

And still we breed. Still we increase our numbers. We are a planetary infection rapidly destroying our host.

I agree, but I don't think we're on the verge of extinction just yet. We're probably on the verge of a crisis of the magnitude of the Black Death, and if our crisis takes the form of some kind of nuclear misadventure or worldwide (or nearly so) famine, neither will be a great surprise. I think the species will likely survive its next great crisis, though, even if a great many individuals don't, and I've no doubt at all that the planet will survive our species.

 

[Neo-Logic]

Based on the evidence that you've presented here, I don't think that the end is near at all.

You're just aware of a few tragedies, and probably you don't know that these kind of things have been happening for quite a while and humanity is still around.:beach:

The ONLY thing that concerns me is the one thing that you listed that can actually destroy humanity = the nuclear bomb. However, the threat of nuclear bombs actually destorying the entire human race I think is pretty low.

The tragedies we face in these times has never been more dangerous or rapid as before. The kinds of damage that it took groups of people to do in our history is being done in our modern times at a frightening rate by individuals. Wars today are more precise yet can potentially do the most ammount of harm than any wars before.

Terrorism has always been there yet unlike that of which we see today in both magnitude and numbers. As the whole world becomes more together which terrorists and religious extremists rebels against. Their cause for acts of terror has been the involvement of one nation in their affairs or interests which they clearly resent. The more we do what we must, they more they will do what they must. The more of them we catch, the more covert and inventive they become.

It's clear that there's no turning back on globalization and it's definately clear that those who oppose it will do what it takes to make their never-ending point. Knowing what we know about the modern day's capacity to cause damage to the masses, something has to give sooner or later. The kinds of damage today comes in insidious forms and no longer limited to just nuclear weapons or bombs but in biological warfares and cyber attacks which can destroy our data related economic infastructures which we can no longer live without these days.

The damage we cause today is expanding towards all facets of our civilizations - planetary, social, cultural, and biological. We know that in today's golden age of technology, all things that can potentially cause harm are only going to get more dangerous and more potentially deadly. Something has to give for that is how nature and humanity will equalize the unbalance that is in our world today in the only way that's possible - with destrution.

 

[Neo-Logic]

I think you need to clarify exactly what you mean by humanity's downfall -- complete extinction? Reversion to Pleistocene cultures?

If it comes down to it, either or.

 

[Neo-Logic]

Crisis? What Crisis?

As long as one group defiantly tells another group, "This pile of sun-blasted rubble is MINE... because GOD says so in His book" and another group says, "No. This is my pile of sun-blasted rubble because I have a bigger gun!" you are going to have problems.

Today it would be more accurate to say "no. this is my pile of sun-blasted rubble because I have a bigger arsenal of nuclear and biological weapons!" There is your crisis - one of many in our times.

 

[Smoke]

In all honesty I do not see biological weapons or nukes being used in theatres of engagement. Do you? Not to mention the fact that nukes have been with us for near on 62+ years and biological weapons even longer... doesn't add up to a crisis in my mind. A concern? Perhaps. A crisis? Hardly.

Both have been used already, and the capability to develop both is being pursued by governments even more unstable and scary than the U.S. government. It seems more and more unlikely that they won't be used.

 

[sparc872]

Humans have gained the power of destruction, yes. All you have to do is look at what we are doing to the environment and to ourselves to see that. But I don't think we are beyond hope, as long as we wake up to the fact that these things are occuring and think past our own lives into the lives of our children, friends, and neighbors. Everything you have mentioned on that list has the potential to destroy the vast majority of human life and it is up to us to prevent that from happening. We must do everything in our power to prevent such devestation from occuring.

Wars do not kill people, environmental destruction does not kill people. It is a lack of understanding and a great deal of apathy that will lead to mans destruction. Once we ignore the grander picture and let things go as they are, we will be in trouble. It is not too late to turn this ship around, we can do it.

 

[Neo-Logic]

Humans have gained the power of destruction, yes. All you have to do is look at what we are doing to the environment and to ourselves to see that. But I don't think we are beyond hope, as long as we wake up to the fact that these things are occuring and think past our own lives into the lives of our children, friends, and neighbors. Everything you have mentioned on that list has the potential to destroy the vast majority of human life and it is up to us to prevent that from happening. We must do everything in our power to prevent such devestation from occuring.

Wars do not kill people, environmental destruction does not kill people. It is a lack of understanding and a great deal of apathy that will lead to mans destruction. Once we ignore the grander picture and let things go as they are, we will be in trouble. It is not too late to turn this ship around, we can do it.

Well said.

It's true what you've said - understanding one another will be salvation. However, it took thousands of years for our societies and its religions, values, cultures, and boundaries to form. Yet all of the different groups are mixing, melding, and colliding faster in the past two centuries than in the last thousands of years. The question is can we be understanding as fast as we are colliding?

 

[Smoke]

Wars do not kill people, environmental destruction does not kill people.

Um ...