by Jonathan K | Jun 3, 2020 | How much longer will we survive as a species, The Future
“As I see it, this is the last century in which we will face existential risks. Assuming we survive this one, we will be able to go on and on. That is a statement about us as a species, but it may also be true of individuals–even potentially individuals alive today. If we live in a “Big Bang” universe, there will eventually be heat death of the universe, but not for an incomprehensibly long time. If, on the other hand, we live in a cyclic universe (as described by Paul Steinhardt, Albert Einstein Professor of Science at Princeton University, writing in THE CYCLIC UNIVERSE), then humanity might be able to survive until the next cycle.
All of that presumes that our vastly more capable descendants won’t be able to figure out exotic physics to escape such a fate. It seems likely that, by the end of this century, “humanity”–as the term is then defined–will be far different than we are now. Going forward millennia and eons, I might as well be throwing up noise as speculating.
PS—Now that the question is specific to Earth, it depends on whether we make the Earth inhospitable to humans. Again, however, that will be determined in this century. So, this is either the last complete century that humans will live on Earth or one of an almost endless line of centuries. (It is also possible that we will make Earth inhospitable, leave for a time, and return to a different Earth once it is again habitable by humans. But putting numbers to such a scenario is beyond my capabilities).”
by Troy C | Jun 3, 2020 | How much longer will we survive as a species, The Future
“I agree that no one has a crystal ball and knows the future. But, we can collect data and make predictions. For me, the answer has been known for twenty years. In 2000 it was believed that if the human race didn’t develop solutions to the rapidly increasing carbon dioxide levels by 2020, we will have reached the point of no return. In 2016, the United States and the world were coming up with solutions and beginning to put them in place. Then one nation, unfortunately, the most powerful nation, put a total idiot in office as the president. To make the nation great again, he permitted oil and gas to be exported and reinstated the coal industry. He is allowing air and water to be polluted. All the progress the U.S. had made is being lost. We are returning to raping the land for profit. In one hundred years, plus or minus fifty, all human life will be dead.”
by Chiron | May 3, 2020 | How much longer will we survive as a species, The Future
“I don’t know. I think it is good for humans to accept their mortality. By doing so, we can start living and not assume immortality when there is none. Live life as if today is the last day. I am sure that will make us live more responsibly on Earth. It is also good not to know and to rest in a space of ‘not knowing’. Every moment is a moment for infinite possibilities to happen. So every moment, we should give our most heartfelt participation into life.”
by Shay P | May 2, 2020 | How much longer will we survive as a species, The Future
“It depends if we can go to other planets or not. If we can, which is what Elon Musk is hoping for by creating reusable spaceships ( which makes it economically more feasible for people to travel to other planets), then our species will be more able to survive if there is a global catastrophe.”
by Nick S | May 2, 2020 | How much longer will we survive as a species
“There have already been 5 mass extinctions in Earth’s history. We are accelerating towards the 6th, likely to happen in the next 100 years – if not all at once, gradually. However, just as the impact of one’s life remains even after they have passed, our legacy as a species will continue on Earth. After every mass extinction, the earth makes a great surge of progress in the next generation. This will happen again when we depart. The Earth is intelligent to know what it needs, with or without us.”
Recent Comments