Reply #8: I used to think so, and soon. Now I think maybe, and far in the future. [View All]

[Ready4Change]

I used to be far more optimistic. I used to see our species as bold, as a risk taker.

Now, I see that, as a species, we are far meeker than many of our individuals, and as we grow in technological prowess, we seem to also be growing in the ability to chain us all with the power of the lowest common denominator. Individuals may want to look beyond the horizon, but their society fears allowing them the chance.

I see energy as being a problem as well. We seem to have started with a massive stock of cheap energy in oil. With it we have made tremendous strides in technology, while harming our environment and demonstrating the difference between intelligence and wisdom. We now face a future in which our available energy may be insufficient to allow our technology to resist the harm we have done. We may have painted ourselves into a corner.

At this point, I'd say, if we are to reach the stars, it will be long from now. After we have survived the post oil world, after we have learned to sustainably power our population (or match our population to our power generating ability.) From there, I believe we could slowly expand into orbit. And after generations have learned to live and thrive there, chunks of the space born can cut themselves free from their Earthly apron strings, and slowly explore what lies beyond.

But there are signs we can do this sooner. Burt Rutans Spaceship one was a shot of adrenaline. We may leap into orbit yet.