Science Fiction-Inspired Ecology Paradigm Shift - Part II
The human habitat has taken many forms throughout history, and this diversity has given us a cultural richness, which helps to inspire our future directions in development of human habitats. For those of us who dream of the possibilities of spreading human life beyond this world, our ideas of human habitats are destined to change into something else entirely. We are so used to the easy lifestyle of surface-level planet Earth, that if we were forced to face a hostile environment, our whole paradigm would also be forced to change.
So, predictably, ecological responsibility seems to be a fairly consistent thread in habitats of futuristic fiction. After all, who could imagine a human habitat on Mars, under the surface of the Moon, or in orbit about another planet that could possibly function like we do here on Earth at present? Could such a habitat survive with unchecked population growth, unlimited waste production with limited recycling, water and power wasting, and poor localised environmental resource management?
In many futuristic novels, these subjects are not left to chance, but often form the core of focussed scientific development from whence other scientific disciplines stem. Quite simply, the technologies and practices that make human life possible in hostile environments come first:
- If the material cost of living is extreme, then measures must be taken to minimise this cost.
- Recycle everything possible, but if impossible, research how to make it possible.
- Waste of any resource is a crime; don’t assume that anything is inexhaustible.
By these means, the feasibility of human life in extreme conditions increases. From such an ecologically responsible platform, all other developments/studies/interests of life can proceed with a clean conscience.
© Dr. Wez The Epsilon Foundation 2008
True, suppose we did not have a monetry system in the future for the essential needs we must have in order to live, then we would have wiped almost all our problems. Economy restricts our ability to develop anything to the fullest potential. The Venus project as proposed by Dr. Jacque Fresco aims to eliminate the current monetry system and replace it with a resource based economy.
He envisions a future where we don’t need to pay for transport, food, electricity or communication. In fact, in the future everything will be in cybernated network where computers would fairly distribute resources as required, eliminating the hussle and bussle of politics.
Jake said this on 10 May, 2008 at 1010:37 pm