General Cycling Discussion - Expanding universe

At one time it was argued that the universe was created by a "big bang." They said it would expand to a certain point and then collapse again until it got so tight it would explode all over again. Bang, collapse, bang, collapse.

Now, scientists are beginning to use Einstein's antigravity ideas to help show that the universe will keep expanding and growing larger until all the stars disappear completely (due to their sheer distance from each other.) At this point, I am beginning to fear for Captain Kirk's chances of meeting Mr. Spock.

Which brings me to another issue.

If we do not take care of our "green planet," where will our children's children's chidren's children live?

A wise person said, "He who is faithful in a few things will also be faithful in greater things. He who is not faithful in small things will also not be faithful in larger matters." If we spoil Earth, how will we take care of another planet?

AHHH, UMMMMMM, HMMMM, Well, OK, Right.

[off topic rant] *nod* imagine this world in 200 years... That's really not that far off, my great great grand children will think of me as the guy that killed earth, drove a truck that put out 500 tons of polluted air every year. The guy who didn't stop 12,000 species from extinction. Technology is great, but its also going to kill us all one day... [/rant]

It's pretty scarey to think that our generation may have to make the most world changing decisions in order to save the planet.

It really can all start with one person...making the effort to live a cleaner, more respectful way of life...lets look after what we have...

An old Indian saying states " be careful where you tread, for you are walking on the faces of the future generations"

Rich

A lot of the bad effects of technology could be lessened at any time by lessening or eliminating corporate and individual greed. But individuals are stubborn, and patterns of greed have been developed over centuries; while corporations evade responsibility by assuming a mask of anonymity.

Yep, that makes me a pessimist.

It saddens me to think of what our world once was and what is has become. Being part Native American, I enjoy reading the wise words of Native American peoples.

Here is a short passage to make anyone stop and think about how special and precious our world is.

"Living in a city is an artificial existence. Lots of people hardly ever feel real soil under their feet, see plants grow except in flower pots, or get far enough beyond the street light to catch the enchantment of a night sky studded with stars. When people live far from scenes of the Great Spirit's making, it's easy for them to forget his laws."
-- Tatanga Mani (Walking Buffalo) Stoney


It's too bad corporations don't include words like this in their values or mission statements.
Instead they use wall street phrases to pacify their stockholders and entice their customers.


When I'm on my bike I sometimes forget about the problems of the world and imagine I'm beyond the street light catching the enchantment of a night sky studded with stars, even though it is daytime.


Ron

RonH makes some interesting points. Living in a rural area, it seems to me that city people tend to put a lot of blame on rural folks without first researching enough to gather all the facts. For example, recently a group of high school kids from San Francisco were bussed up here to "save the ancient forest." One kid pointed to a tree filled ridge and exclaimed, "We want to stop the destruction of that ancient redwood forest!" In fact , the tree filled ridge he was referring to was an area managed for timber production, and had been harvested at least twice, probably 3 times in the past 120 years, and was a stand of fir, not redwood trees. Most likely he is an earnest and honorable young man. I am not here to defend or make excuses for the timber industry, but I honestly don't believe that they have an interest in destroying their own private tree farms.
I dare say that the air in this rural area is a lot cleaner than the air in the cities. I know there is a trade off in opportunity and monetary reward by choosing to live in a rural area, and I made the decision years ago to settle here and not in some big city. For me the trade off has been well worth it.
As far as technology goes, I believe technology, properly used, can be the solution to pollution. Guess I am a "cynical optimist", if there is such an animal. Cheers!

Originally posted by Joe Gardner
[ Technology is great, but its also going to kill us all one day... [/rant]

That is true. I think there are many forms of technology and various inventions over the years which have had the potential to be extremely useful, but which people have simply become far too dependent on. Automobiles and computers are two that spring to mind immediately.

Chris