Sir Martin Rees, recent winner of the Michael Faraday Prize (awarded for excellence in communicating scientific ideas in lay terms) is a man well known for his strong opinions on the future of mankind. Indeed his book 'Our Final Century' concludes with the opinion that mankind has no more than a 50/50 chance of surviving the next century citing everything from biological warfare to asteroid impacts as the reason.

Rees maintains that, although the theories of Evolution are quite well known in the modern world, people still perceive mankind as somehow outside the stream of Evolution. He pointed out, after receiving the 2004 Faraday Prize, that Evolution is a process that is still in continuation, and the possibility of future development is enormous, stating thus:

"It will not be humans who witness the demise of the Sun six billion years hence; it will be entities as different from us as we are from bacteria."

Does this opinion express a deep pessimism for you? Or could it harbor within it a sapling that will allow man to grow into the great oak that modern Humanism, Christianity or (insert favourite doctrine here) predicts? Rees also has this to say on the topic of the future of life on Earth:

"We can't predict what role life will eventually carve out for itself: It could become extinct, or it could achieve such dominance that it would influence the entire cosmos."

For those of you interested in a debunking of modern Humanism please check out John Gray's superbly executed book 'Straw Dogs' .
For an overview of the mistakes mankind has already made in his pathway to presumed progress then Ronald Wright's book 'A Short History of Progress' (available at present in Canada and USA only) is no better guide.
Or for a little more outlandish view of the future of intelligent life in the cosmos check out James N. Gardner's theory of the BIOCOSM.

Anyone who knows me will know, at least in part, my opinions on all of this. If you find yourself vexed, in agreement or just plain inquisitive then don't hesitate to use the Message Board or simply send me an e-mail.

And the reason why I got onto this topic? Check out the link below
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