future man

Will we ever journey to the stars?

(the second in a series entitle “Will our species pass the BIG intelligence test?) It makes sense, when you think about it. There should be a test of worthiness before a wannabe spacefaring species takes flight. Think of what the colonizing Europeans did to the native peoples in Africa and North and South America; and… Read more Will we ever journey to the stars?

Will our species pass the BIG intelligence test?

(the first of a series of articles on this subject) From the time man first realized the immensity of our universe, scientists have been wondering why we have not yet found any evidence of intelligent life somewhere out there. As our telescopes and related technology have improved, the mystery has deepened—because the odds against our… Read more Will our species pass the BIG intelligence test?

Our intelligence will decide our future

Each of the species of life on our planet has been given a special advantage that has helped it survive. The chameleon has its camouflage, the turtle its shell, the bird its wings, the rose its thorns. The lion has a whole array of advantages—speed, strength, teeth and claws, that place it near the top… Read more Our intelligence will decide our future

Atheist ads make headlines – and underscore the immaturity of our species

‘Tis the season… for stupidity. In one corner we have the legions of believers who hold their beliefs to be sacred (Xmas trees battling Menorahs, etc.). In the other corner we have the atheists that solicit donations to fund the “cause” of debunking the idea that there is a God. It is difficult for a… Read more Atheist ads make headlines – and underscore the immaturity of our species

On our planet we own the future. We could even achieve time travel – or not…

About a million years ago, our pre-human ancestors used their fledgling intelligence to conclude that all life, including their own, must eventually face death – and that the world would continue after their lives ended. So far as we know we are the only creatures on earth that have faced this sobering fact. I sometimes… Read more On our planet we own the future. We could even achieve time travel – or not…

The future of man – a choice between cyborg or extinction?

Computers today are omnipresent. They have been an essential component of our work environment for decades and in the developed nations, few households lack a home computer with a high speed internet connection. Less visibly, almost all our appliances (including cameras, automobiles and elevators) incorporate computers that enhance their functionality. It is part of human… Read more The future of man – a choice between cyborg or extinction?

Is this the beginning of the end – or the end of the beginning?

When Mother Nature got life started on Earth, 4.7 billion years ago, her formula was beautifully simple – she made life self-replicating according to a ‘recipe’ encoded within the cell. Her masterstroke was to make the recipe copying process almost error-proof. A very high degree of copying accuracy was needed – otherwise life would forever… Read more Is this the beginning of the end – or the end of the beginning?

Future Man – and Civilization

We think of ourselves as civilized – but what does that mean? The Romans who entertained themselves by watching Christians being thrown to lions thought that they were civilized. So did the English colonialists who kidnapped Africans to sell as slaves. And are the practitioners of female genital mutilation (partial or total removal of the clitoris… Read more Future Man – and Civilization