Can We Keep the Good Stuff?

What are we here on this planet for?

One view is we're here to manage and modify it to our heart's content.

Another view is we're part of nature and should live within its limits. The limits aren't necessarily clear, by the way.

Egregious examples of technology run amok, like nuclear power (inability to dispose of spent fuel) or leaded gasoline polluting the world for 60 years seem to indicate there's a built in problem in technology or human beings. We don't seem capable of managing our creations in a responsible way--it's probably not possible. IMO, the most dangerous technology man created so far is genetic modification. That will cause pollution that we can't begin to manage or control; we can't even manage insect pollution, e.g. emerald ash borers, so what are the odds we can control molecular pollution? Water keeps getting more polluted with all kinds of crap--plastic, pharmaceuticals, etc... We have a really bad track record.

What else could we do? I'm not even sure humanity could abandon technology en masse. Psychopathic trash like Bill Gates or the world's politicians would basically put people back into the technology prison at gun point. Goons and stooges would enlist to help them.

The problem is really deep and fundamental. I think this world is lorded over by a demon, basically. Even worse, the demon isn't physical or available in this dimension. I think it basically spawned from agricultural civilization. Humans started spending time together in cities instead of out in the natural world.

Every once in a while individuals or small groups of people reconnect with the natural world in unexpected and random ways. For example, a guy recently fell off his boat while diving for urchins off the California coast. The engine was running and it zipped away from him before he could climb out of the chilly water. He thought he was toast. He was saved by a sea lion--it didn't tow him to safety. It just hung out with him and kept him company as he tried to swim back to shore. He stayed afloat long enough to get rescued because of that creature's curiosity in him and gregarious nature.

I think that little incident offers a clue about how humanity is supposed to live on this planet. We separated ourselves from nature. That does nature a disservice and does us a disservice too. We live under the dominion of a demon god... that is a form of consciousness that's really alien and corrosive to this place.

If we spent more time in the natural world, like that guy, our mind would change too. Similarly, the animals and other creatures would benefit from humanity's brainpower.

Could we keep the technological "good stuff"? Even basic things like refining metals or ceramic work? That's a really good question. I think so, but the relationship with technology and the city would be a lot different.