Do you think humankind will be completely extinct in 50 years?

[SmileyBoy]

With all this talk of a potential Peak Oil crisis in the GD forum coupled with my resurfacing (silly, but neurologically-related) fears of asteroid collisions, I've been thinking about whether or not we will be completely wiped out as a species in the near future. I personally don't think we will, but I do think that a drop in human population due to one problem or another probably could happen.

The question is not whether or not you think some Armaggedeon-style event will happen or not that still leaves a few human survivors (End Of The World As We Know It). I'm talking about going the way of the dinosaurs (End Of The Species).

So the question is: Do you honestly, truthfully in your heart think that we humans will be completely extinct by the year 2054???

[mhr]

1. No, But There Will Be Millions Fewer On The Planet Than Today

eom

[arcos]

2. no, we won't be extinct...

but an Armaggedon style event (or even more likely, series of events) will happen in the next few years, IMHO.

[DemBones DemBones]

3. Maybe you could add one more answer choice,

"I'm pessimistic about our chances, of being here in fifty years." And perhaps another, "I'm cautiously optimistic."

I am pessimistic. I hope I'm wrong, though my husband and I'll probably be dead long before (unless we Ilive to be over 100, and I don't expect to.) Our daughter will be an octagenarian then herself and has no children, though she still could if she chooses. In recent years, pretty much since the coup, I've thought that not having grandchildren has the advantage of not having to worry about their future.

Sometimes, I don't know whether to rage :grr: or cry :cry: about that.

I think of Dylan's "Masters of War" often, when I read all the bad news. (Does he have grandchildren? I wonder. . .)

"For threatening my (grand)baby,
Unborn and un-named,
Ye ain't worth the blood,
That flows through your veins."

:cry: :grr: :mad: :cry: :grr: :mad: :cry:

[DarkSim]

4. not 50 years, 100 years. Then for sure... n/t

[Piperay]

5. No, but in around 20 years

when global warming really hits life here won't be anything like it is now, it won't be worth living at all. :argh:

[arcos]

8. we'll run out of oil before global warming causes much trouble... n/t

[kalian]

6. No...not "completely" extinct....

but there sure as hell will be fewer humans crawling around. Many
will be cold, hungry and living in horrendous conditions.

Peak oil...here to stay...

[Deja Q]

7. Yes

If not close enough to being extinct.

Peak oil will do enough damage.

But how many people know how to live in the wilderness?

Without oil, a regression of massive proportions will take place.

Assuming WW III doesn't take place because of the squabbling over what little oil is left for us to use at those NASCAR events. x(

And if an asteroid hits, then there's no doubt about it.

I'm stocking up for the day when "Final Exit" (3rd edition) will come in handy. :cry:

[KT2000]

9. Kind Humans will be extinct

If we think in terms of cataclysmic events, the end of life as we know it is a speculative and distant event. But I think that decline is already happening but at a much slower pace so as to be unrecognizable by most.

We are the wealthiest nation on earth but look at how many are sick. We have obese children getting a head start on heart disease and diabetes. More children are having to cope with learning disabilities and behavior problems stemming from brain dysfunction. Cancer rates for children are increasing. And our economy is structured so that every case of cancer and other illnesses, adds to our Gross National Product - as if that is something to be proud of.

We are eating foods that are contaminated with pesticides, pharmaceuticals and now genetically engineered hormones. We are breathing air that is contributing to illness because it is so polluted. We are building homes that are gas chambers of toxic chemicals from the building materials. Babies are breast fed mothers milk that contains persistent chemicals that will be stored in the baby's body for years.

The engine of the world economy is processes that dump disease inducing pollution into our air, water and homes. The toll is taken in loss of brain function, diminished IQ, loss of creativity, premature deaths, more lives compromised by chronic illness and an overall decline. But the "End of the World" for now occurs one death at a time, measured by such things as cancer statistics, accidents from impaired mental function and infant mortality rates.

On a certain level, we may want the responsibility to lie elsewhere and find relief if the asteroid hits the earth or the oil runs out. But I really think that our decline is built into our economy and is inevitable. We are currently living through a "health care crisis" that is being solved through rationing - more people without insurance and access to health care at all.

I really do not think the future holds some dramatic event, just pathetic decline as we poison ourselves into illness and disability.