Comments on: Deep Thoughts http://www.delovesto.com/2009/06/deep-thoughts/ The musings of Debbie and Tony - enjoy your visit Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:27:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Andrew http://www.delovesto.com/2009/06/deep-thoughts/#comment-484 Andrew Sun, 14 Jun 2009 08:11:17 +0000 http://www.delovesto.com/?p=570#comment-484 I see the only way for humanity to survive, and that is to colonize space and other planets. There's a theory that says we must do that before a certain point, or Earth will run out of resources to *ever* reach space. Things aren't looking too good right now since the most modern propulsion (rockets) still would take thousands of years to reach other stars, which is not feasible or realistic. Some kind of scientific breakthrough is needed that would totally change the way we think about space. Needless to say, science and scientific progress is the only way to save humanity. You make a very good point about modern civilization being a very young thing. There's an interesting theory called "technological singularity" that says the speed of progress keeps increasing geometrically so we'll soon reach a point where it will be so fast there would be a drastic change in society and an "intelligence explosion": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity Not only that, according to charts it's supposed to happen around 2035. I think that particular theory is too optimistic though and law of diminishing returns will kick in long before that and the geometrical progress will change to a slower form. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity I see the only way for humanity to survive, and that is to colonize space and other planets. There’s a theory that says we must do that before a certain point, or Earth will run out of resources to *ever* reach space. Things aren’t looking too good right now since the most modern propulsion (rockets) still would take thousands of years to reach other stars, which is not feasible or realistic. Some kind of scientific breakthrough is needed that would totally change the way we think about space.

Needless to say, science and scientific progress is the only way to save humanity.

You make a very good point about modern civilization being a very young thing. There’s an interesting theory called “technological singularity” that says the speed of progress keeps increasing geometrically so we’ll soon reach a point where it will be so fast there would be a drastic change in society and an “intelligence explosion”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity

Not only that, according to charts it’s supposed to happen around 2035. I think that particular theory is too optimistic though and law of diminishing returns will kick in long before that and the geometrical progress will change to a slower form.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity

]]> By: BigJim http://www.delovesto.com/2009/06/deep-thoughts/#comment-472 BigJim Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:24:04 +0000 http://www.delovesto.com/?p=570#comment-472 Wow, Tony. Metaphysical and nihilistic at the same time. Wow, Tony. Metaphysical and nihilistic at the same time.

]]> By: mulberry http://www.delovesto.com/2009/06/deep-thoughts/#comment-470 mulberry Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:41:25 +0000 http://www.delovesto.com/?p=570#comment-470 These are the thoughts that would keep me awake for hours at night as a kid. Seriously. My short answer is...yes, I think we are important, although this life may only be a tiny piece of that. (I'm not a "religious" person, but personal experiences tell me there is more waiting for us) Whether there is a being or a force that cares, I don't know, but I'm guessing so, as little else makes sense. I don't think things are completely random, that we "occurred" just by chance or accident. As far as that big rock crashing into us and our chances...depends when it happens. I don't anticipate that "god" or whatever, if he exists, will just swoop down to save us, I think he will let us determine our own destiny. Perhaps he knows there is more and there is nothing to fear either way? Or, perhaps he's just not into micro-management? I do think scientists have increasingly accepted the fact that earth may be on a limited timeline and we need to get thinking about our disaster plan. (ignorance was bliss for a while...) These are the thoughts that would keep me awake for hours at night as a kid. Seriously. My short answer is…yes, I think we are important, although this life may only be a tiny piece of that. (I’m not a “religious” person, but personal experiences tell me there is more waiting for us) Whether there is a being or a force that cares, I don’t know, but I’m guessing so, as little else makes sense. I don’t think things are completely random, that we “occurred” just by chance or accident.

As far as that big rock crashing into us and our chances…depends when it happens. I don’t anticipate that “god” or whatever, if he exists, will just swoop down to save us, I think he will let us determine our own destiny. Perhaps he knows there is more and there is nothing to fear either way? Or, perhaps he’s just not into micro-management? I do think scientists have increasingly accepted the fact that earth may be on a limited timeline and we need to get thinking about our disaster plan. (ignorance was bliss for a while…)

]]>