Where are we going (in a physical sense)? We're going away. At least that's what Stephen Hawking (sp.?) tells us. Accoprding to him we need to start preparing to leave here and find other habitable worlds. I'm assuming that's because we're going to be using this one up and needing others to use up - in his opinion. We do live in interesting and unique times, but it won't last forever. I suspect when that first bunch of ships leave for other planets, it will be the privileged who will leave first leaving the less privileged and able behind.

One of the central themes of "golden age science fiction" is that the smartest of society will end up making all the decisions and that leaving mistakes behind and starting fresh on a new planet will be a valid strategy.

On the other hand, in the Hitchhiker's Guide books, the spaceships with the intelligencia and the craftspeople leave, and the lawyers and salespeople are left on the third spaceship -- the one without an engine.

The one without the engine should also carry the politicians (no actual PARF intent).

how exactly are we on a moral spiral? by ANY measure, we are more moral as a society then we were 20 years ago, and WAY more moral then 50 or a 100 years ago.

religion is ignorance, and engineers don't tend to be religious. in fact the trend is that scientists and engineers are some of the most non-religious in our society.

We are far more moral than 200 years ago or 100 years ago. 10 years ago? Marginally better, IMO.

I agree. (And I fart, and wish I was still middle-aged...)

But I also agree with cockerpunk's post... is it getting better? or worse?

BUT the entire population of the world cannot possibly be supported on a land area of the entire US, much less Texas...

Usable land.

I bet I will surprise many of you by stating that I think we are at a good place in time. To say it could be better is foolish. Of course it could be better, but people are involved.

Well, I for one am gobsmacked.

I think it's foolish not to wish for/work for better.

But to echo your sentiment, Milt, I will never forget what a junior high school teacher told us: to attain utopia, you need utopians.

While it is true that space is the final frontier, I don't think we have reached that point as sentient beings where it is all that accessible. However, disregarding space, we have pretty much managed to tame the earth, and now have dominion over it's vast resources. Remote wilderness is a thing of the past, and now world powers are playing a giant game of Risk for the spoils. I think at some point we are going to have to say we don't control the earth so much as take care of it for the next generation. Strangely, a lot of us feel that way about our cars and watches, but not so much about our planet.

Now we have reached a point with technology where today's solutions are tomorrow's problems, and this isn't even a consideration for us, because we are totally enthralled in petty world dominion squabbles. I think that there is no question that in the next thousand years we could really achieve amazing things, but we are now reaching a critical point where we must choose our destiny or lose it.


'' The future is not a straight line. It is filled with many crossroads. There must be a future that we can choose for ourselves. ''

Easy for individuals, hard for a Race.

Its better than it has ever been...health, happiness, comfort, intellegence and what will help even more is the increased communication.

You can look at the world and see the bad or you can look at the world and see the good. Good is good, bad is bad.

Now go have a cup of coffee, drive your Porsche, hug your kid and make love to your sig O - not in that order ;)

(and for God sake say something nice will ya!)

Glad you finally got your medical MJ card, Milt! SmileWavy

G

This video belongs here rather than the Music thread....it's what is good about America......

Enjoy!

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We've undergone one of the most incredible and amazing information and technological revolutions of the history of mankind in the past 5 years and nobody cares.

The entire wealth and history of human knowledge is available in your pocket. You can find out that something happens in Uzbekistan 30 seconds after it happens while on the other side of the world.

Everything is amazing and nobody is happy.

Ah...yes it's the best of times and the worst of times.
"Every day is a great day you just try and miss one."

Seen any good movies lately? ;)

We are slowly destroying the earth. We don't live along side of her and use her resources at the rate she supplies them, we take as we see fit, at a rate that we decide we need.
When was the last time we gave back to the earth?
We are the Borg, for lack of a better description.
Better off? in some ways we are better off as a species, but only at the expense of everything we live along side. We are greedy, destructive, close minded, and only focused on ourselves for today.
Yeah my outlook on things is pretty grim, but I still foolishly hold on to hope that tomorrow something will change.

Life is what you make it. Think of your glass as half full rather than half empty.:)
Tell your SO you love her. Phone yours parents and listen to them. Talk to your kids.
I remember a few years ago my mother said if you have any questions to ask me do so now as I won't be around forever. Now she is dead she is not hear to answer my questions......so get on with your life!Life is for living not *****ing and complaining.

I am not *****ing and complaining just passing on my opinion. I see it as half a glass.
Trust me I take time to "stop and smell the roses"

I get what you are saying Rick.

It's one thing to make the most of what you have - appreciate the blessings you have - be thankful - (as recycled is saying). :)

But another to acknowledge how destructive & truly ignorant mankind is and that one day they will doom civilisation. :(

In the meantime - we'll try not to let it ruin our day, eh? :D

I have a friend that honestly thinks the world will be a barren wasteland before he dies!!!:eek: Very tough position to be in...nothing to live for, dealing with depression issues now. Other people believe that Satan is real and has taken over the world!!!
Me, I like old German sports cars, grilled hamburgers, dark moody beers and boobies!!!! (all kinds of boobies!!) and the love of a great woman.....Technology is good but I also find it important to just get out of the city and unwind at a nice fishing hole!!!

I think that North Americans have some of the best standards of living, choices and freedoms in the world. Our parents worked hard to instill good values in us and I think that it is my job to instill good values in my child. I see the differences in the way folks behave-some people choose to treat people well and others may inflict suffering on others. Enjoy your day. You make it what it is...

There is nothing personal here Rick.

I love life, and am very fortunate for all I have. Everyday I enjoy doing something I love so much - I don't considerate it work.

But I still think mankind is doomed.

The key to enjoying life is not to *worry* about mankind - just yourself.....aha...... :)

Life is just a party....and party's aren't meant to last.....

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Hey! That's a lesson learned in life!

When Maslow developed his hierarchy of needs as a theory in psychology, proposed in his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation", he forgot to include the stages beyond Self Actualization: Navel Gazing, The Art of Me, Lint Picking and The Evening News.

Humans live better in the mean than ever, have the ability to engage in a level of introspection that is unparallelled and perhaps paralyzing: Our comfort, the general lack of need, the ease with which most of us get to lead our lives has given way to a lack of urgency in survival skills; the necessity of finding the next meal is gone...we worry about ancillary issues divorced from hunting and gathering.

We gather trivia and obsess about it. The big issues (energy, food, WATER) are mixed with the mundane and not addressed. Our lack of focus as a country, our inability to discriminate may hurt us, but I think not, mainly because the folks engaged in the production of energy, water and food are not political.

We are fine, will be fine.

I'm with the OLD FARTS.