To the Future

[Mythsaje]

When El Presidente Stupido made his comment about human/animal hybrids several months back, DU erupted into chuckles and guffaws and general merriment, even though it's valid enough a concern that Canada banned such research nearly three years ago.

I will say, however, that even if it's banned here in the western world, I can almost guarantee that research into its potential is being carried forward in places like China and North Korea. We will probably see human/animal hybrids within my lifetime, if not within the next twenty years. ESPECIALLY considering what we're learning about the human genome.

There have always been people who chuckled at the possibilities put forward by futurists--from nuclear submarines to a man on the moon, from rockets to personal portable telephones...but look how many of these predictions have come to pass.

Now there are people shrieking about NASA's plan to have a fully functional, fully-staffed, year round space station on the moon. All I have to say is--it's about time. The future of the human race is out there, especially considering how badly we're screwing it up down here.

The future is coming whether we like it or not. None of these things are a surprise to many of us--we've been being prepared for them for all our lives.

Science and technology may have contributed to some of the challenges we face now, but it, if anything, also may be our salvation as well. And incredible breakthroughs have been achieved through space exploration. Maybe getting out there and increasing our permanent presense in space will lead to even more advances we cannot yet foresee.

It's hard to say. But I, for one, would hate to see us held back out of fear or lack of faith in ourselves.

[dubeskin]

1. Well said, and I completely agree

My generation is preparing for the challenge, but I can already see, among my friends, the future doctor, future lawyer, possible future President (unfortunately very far right) and the future tech-wiz. But as you said, the jobs won't do it. We need to eliminate the fear and get some faith, and I don't mean go to your local pastor and ask for it. I mean we need to think we can do it. Great post!