54 sats \ 15 replies \ @kr 23 Jan \ on: What possible future (technological) breakthrough might be a grave mistake? science
hmm, another tough one.
i’m generally optimistic that when humans make mistakes they’re able to recognize them and reverse course in time to avoid total catastrophe.
i think most things people might recognize as mistakes happen when humans get “stuck” trying to use inefficient technology at scale.
whale oil was once used to light candles, and led to a dramatic decline in whale populations (near extinction) before electric lighting rendered whale oil useless.
wood was the resource that britain almost ran out of 500 years ago, when it was the primary construction/heating material.
i’m generally optimistic that when humans make mistakes they’re able to recognize them and reverse course in time to avoid total catastrophe.
... Okay, well, I can't share that sentiment - I think that one of our greatest weaknesses - and source of many unnecessary trouble - is our hang to indifference. And boy, am I guilty of that.
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i’m sure there are examples where human action or lack of action has led to total catastrophe, are there any particular moments that come to mind?
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What about the ongoing hunger in the Eastern parts of the globe?
Do you care about those people?
Because I don't- just like most of the Westerners. I know I (we) should, but since it doesn't hit me, who cares.
It's harsh, it's blunt, but that's the truth.
Same about consumerism;
The global West mindlesly consumes and dumps the trash it doesn't need anymore in some shit hole of a country- but don't worry, that very trash will come back to bite us in the arse, too, some way or another, be it through microplastics or what not.
I really think that our indifference will cost us our heads in the end, we Sapiens simply grew too fast, too furious.
We haven't had the oh so sourly needed time to develop the necessary "oversight" and "responsibility" (for lack of better words) of the power we wield and the implications it has on our planet and its inhabitants.
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What about the ongoing hunger in the Eastern parts of the globe?
extreme hunger was once pretty common around the world, but technology has eliminated this problem from many people’s lives.
undernourishment and malnourishment are still issues affecting 10-20% of the world (which i’m optimistic will eventually be solved), but extreme hunger and famines are quite rare today.
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And we could eliminate the rest, too.
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good examples of human action (or lack of action) leading to total catastrophe?
Acting accordingly on the many warnings we've received decades ago on the impending (and lasting) damage that were to happen to our ecology, ecosystems and climate if we were to not change our habits and reduce our ecological footprint, and reduce our consumption of - but not limited to - fossil fuels.
I'd say we're well on our way.
I dont know why you're so stubborn on acknowledging that we Sapiens could very well be digging our own grave, we aren't the "Juwel of evolution" that we like to portray ourselves to be - we're special, that's true, but not in a good way.
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i agree we’re headed in a bad direction, but i’m not sure total catastrophe is going to be the result.
space exploration, nuclear energy, and a host of other innovations could help reduce our ecological footprint.
fossil fuels are efficient compared to wood and whale oil, but i don’t think they are the most efficient forms of energy humans will ever create.