Yes - I take it more as a purpose/meaning type of subject. I believe that our purpose is to advance technology, mostly by playing god and creating intelligent systems that will far surpass humans - hopefully we can merge with that intelligent system that we create.
In addition to that, I think its our purpose to advance and expand throughout the universe for as long as we can do it. We will likely face extermination by that intelligent system or merge with it. I think its more important to evolve that system.
When I typed a "fools purpose" I mostly mean its meaningless in the scheme of things to devote all this worry, concern, everything surrounding a warming home planet. Yes, there are scientifically concerning results that it could be devastating. But I highly doubt that humanity will not adapt to whatever changes come that way, life on the planet can be re-engineered, created, modified.
Though your point of, hypothetically, will a warming climate end the potential of what I've said? As long as we can create energy, then no I doubt it.
> But I highly doubt that humanity will not adapt to whatever changes come that way, life on the planet can be re-engineered, created, modified.
I agree with this, but that doesn't change my previous statements. Take this scenario (exaggerated, but to make a point). Assume that no crops could survive outside we'd have to move to do all our agriculture as hydro or aeroponics. I'd call that catastrophic and at least in the beginning it would put a significant stress on every living person. A lot of people would starve. But yes, humans would survive.
Most people don't think we're going to turn the planet into a place humans can't live in (I mean we're pretty innovative and adaptable). But a lot of people do recognize that the affects will result in a lot of people dying and significant stressors that will extremely hinder forward progress (to such an extent I think most agree that it will set us back).
So I __kind of__ agree with you, but your position also appears very naive. Though I do love the optimism and faith you have for humans as a species.
Even in the worst situations, like I said, as long as we can create energy, then no that situation is far unlikely for crop production. We have great technology already existing to handle that. Only better will be developed in time as well....
I strongly believe that we will not be set back by climate change, in fact I think it will spur an innovative age and result in a boom of more technology.
Also merging with intelligent systems may one day eliminate the need for crops all together as our energy source.
My position, naive? No, it is optimistic that humans will push to innovate and continue the evolution of technology, while also not worrying about a changing environment, whatever may come of it. Then we will build through space, we are at the beginning moments (last 50ish years) of space exploration and expansion.
Think 1000 years from now, the "climate change" worries of the 2000s will be viewed as primitive worry. So in the long run, we are either dead or this is viewed as primitive.
You're talking about two completely different time scales though. Climate is going to be a disaster in <100 years. We can't make a planet viable in <200 (and that's assuming massive increases in tech).
Problem is that lots of people are going to die. People that don't have to. People that wouldn't have if we acted sooner. That's what people are worried about.
Will the human species survive? Yes. Will lots of people die? Also yes. I'd rather it not come down to it, especially since it didn't have to be this way.
Let me repeat that. It didn't have to be this way.
You need to take a historical look at how technology is developed. Technology requires huge investments by a well maintained and organized society. For example, US government invested for 30+ years in computers before they became a mainstream product.
What happens when you take away organized human life (like a relatively well functioning government)? You won't get any technological improvement.
Technological improvement requires stable societies and climate change will disrupt all societies on earth. It's even completely plausible that organized human life won't be possible if we don't tackle climate change now.
So any hope of developing the technology you are talking about rests on huge efforts to solve the climate problem.
In addition to that, I think its our purpose to advance and expand throughout the universe for as long as we can do it. We will likely face extermination by that intelligent system or merge with it. I think its more important to evolve that system.
When I typed a "fools purpose" I mostly mean its meaningless in the scheme of things to devote all this worry, concern, everything surrounding a warming home planet. Yes, there are scientifically concerning results that it could be devastating. But I highly doubt that humanity will not adapt to whatever changes come that way, life on the planet can be re-engineered, created, modified.
Though your point of, hypothetically, will a warming climate end the potential of what I've said? As long as we can create energy, then no I doubt it.