[Carlhole]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('rangerone314', 'H')umans are like a bacteria that is evolving to destroy everything else around it like gangrene. Eventually the Earth will die, and if that ends up being the case that humans haven't learned to mentally evolve beyond their ultimately self-destructive tendencies, then I can only hope that the infection remains limited to the Earth.

[Carlhole]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'I') now bow down before you as Zardoz Incarnate. I apologize for doubting the prophets and acolytes

[rangerone314]

What makes you think that humans are not an evolutionary dead-end when there have been plenty of evolutionary dead-ends?

I would say humans can't help but screw up nearly every time they apply technology. And I think the spread of consumerism is just an aspect of self-destructive behavior that will make humans prove to be an evolutionary dead-end.

Humans are arrogant and think science trumps nature. The Titanic iceberg and the Icelandic volcano LAUGH at technology.

The development of human technology is similar to the development of bacteria plasmids that help them resist antibiotics and increase their virulence factors.

Maybe someday humans will indeed harness the power of antimatter or a singularity and then the inevitable accident will occur and the Earth will be blasted into a dust cloud. Humanity acts like children -- egocentric, foolish, needful, impulsive -- and technology is just like giving children matches and gasoline. Sooner or later the children will burn the house down.

There is one technology I would approve of though, a genetically-engineered virus that would re-engineer all the humans on Earth into chimps...

[Carlhole]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'B')e careful rangerone314. The Singularity is a selfish Mistress and those who she suckles will rise with the froth of her power upon their lips.

Wanna milkshake Cornhole?

[Xenophobe]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('frood', '
')Thats yet another pile of BS from a closed minded person trying to pigeonhole a mindset that doesnt follow along the lines of conformity.

[Outcast_Searcher]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('rangerone314', 'W')hat makes you think that humans are not an evolutionary dead-end when there have been plenty of evolutionary dead-ends?

I would say humans can't help but screw up nearly every time they apply technology.

[Carlhole]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Xenophobe', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('frood', '
')Thats yet another pile of BS from a closed minded person trying to pigeonhole a mindset that doesnt follow along the lines of conformity.

[Carlhole]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'C')ornhole, you are a deluded pompous pr3ck. I don't recollect ever seeing you argue peak-oil issues. You do not know d3ck about reserves, drilling technology, discovery curves, net-energy analysis, export-land model, petroleum politics, economics and commodities trades.

You post one techopian puff piece after another, and never apparently understand the science behind them. Your appeals to optimism and authority are a bore. Can I help you leave per chance?

[dsula]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Carlhole', 't')hat watching the accelerating trend of sci/tech is fascinating.

[SeaGypsy]

I like you Carl,
you have the courage to go against the status quo in a variety of areas; perhaps most importantly 9/11 on this forum. You were the one who 'brought me to the light' in this regard.
I do not find your optimism to be unrealistic.
Fact is on the Kubler-Ross scale you are at acceptance. (so I believe)
I am confident you have been through the previous stages and reached your own conclusions.
Plain old doomerism is boring as hell.
I believe we are in some very deep shiite.
But whining about it changes nothing.
Science is the only likely or possible cure for some of our many malaise.
There is nothing wrong with focus on science as a chosen perspective in these 'latter days'.
In the next 100 years humanity will either slide back into survivalist desperation, or evolve as it is capable of doing, into a truly miraculous animal.
Your choice to focus on the second option is logical. Those who don't like it should get busy equipping the doomstead instead of harping on or attacking those espousing an alternative to cave man reversion.

Perhaps the most important techno fix has been around for decades (or in some cultures, much longer); contraception. The enemies of science in this regard could be called the enemies of humanity as a whole, although they like to call their opponents this. Looking at the inflence of old school religionists, the opposers of science, these are the real problem with creating a sustainable future. The world is still full of ignorant breeders who believe the american dream will be attained by all, sooner or later. That is one of the two biggest problems. The other is the failure of classical education to reach these same people.

In short, if people can slow down their breeding and speed up their ability to reason; humanity and the rest of life has a chance on this planet. This is pure science. Not being aware of these factors is ignorance, anti science, faith based idiocy.

The fact you get so much crap thrown at you for your focus on rational science in this forum sucks.

Those who really want to retain a pure doomerism should let Carl and Graeme et al get on with what they want to say and start more threads (or resurrect forgotten ones) on survivalist matters. Show a little maturity.

Anyone who does not think science is evolving exponentially has their head between their legs.

[Carlhole]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', 'I') like you Carl,
you have the courage to go against the status quo in a variety of areas; perhaps most importantly 9/11 on this forum. You were the one who 'brought me to the light' in this regard.
I do not find your optimism to be unrealistic.

[dsula]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', '
')Anyone who does not think science is evolving exponentially has their head between their legs.

[SeaGypsy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dsula', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', '
')Anyone who does not think science is evolving exponentially has their head between their legs.

[Carlhole]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dsula', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Carlhole', 't')hat watching the accelerating trend of sci/tech is fascinating.

[Quinny]

I personally believe the population issue is key to the solution, and that a levelling out of standards of living is probably the key to this happening. There is however massive inertia built into population growth and severe action may be necessary for us to sustain our position on this planet.

Small scale nuclear power of whatever type could IMO be a game changer, but I am not optimistic about the chances of it's likelihood.

I therefore remain a doomer and continue to plan for a bleak future, but Carhole's posts are still welcomed for a glimmer of hope.

I did post previously on this thread about peak science which I was sure was previously discussed here. No-one responded, but I'd quite like to revisit the data if anyone can point me in the right direction.

[dsula]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Carlhole', '
')
One obvious reason for the acceleration of technological progress is that there are simply more people nowadays.