Most Pressing Problem Of Our Time

[MightyMouse 12]

There are far too many examples to cite where "intelligence" gets in the way of progress.

 

Add: What is going on with some posts, like this one, where lines of text are being truncated?

 

Human arrogance gets in the way of everything.

[Predictor 11]

Think about this...

 

There are any number of things that can end the human species... asteroids, plague, nuclear annihilation, environmental change (natural or man made).

 

Let's say X% of the Earth is populated with humans. If an event kills off people on Y% of the Earth then the higher the X% is then the greater the chance of survival.

 

The optimal state for survival for the species will thus be at the maximum resource utilization. There is argument over whether we have passed that, not there yet, etc. There is another argument. The end result for the human experiment is ultimately extinction. It could be on this planet, in this solar system, or maybe beyond but the end result is known (according to scientists).

 

If we say the value of the experiment is the total sum happiness/experience then it also makes sense that we would want for as many humans as possible to be able to experience a quality life during the finite window that is available.

 

Also, every species on this planet will eventually go extinct. Only humans (to date) have the possible potential to move these species off planet where they might live longer..

 

 

Something to think about.

[SunTrader 10]

Human arrogance gets in the way of everything.

George Carlin says it best as only he can. See youtube for "Arrogance of Mankind" routine.

 

:rofl:

[TheDude 10]

Let's agree that each human brain has a certain capacity for solving problems then it is easy to see that the more brains the world has then the greater the computational POWER of the human race becomes. In fact, somethings that we have today aren't going to be possible with a smaller population.

 

Imagine that a true genius that could solve a pressing problem is as rare as 1 out of a 100 million. The more "100 millions" we have then the greater the odds that such a rare genius will exist.

 

Humans have outgrown our resources many times in the past. Our best chance for meaningful survival requires a large and intelligent population. If we could increase the intelligence of everyone by just a small measure then the net processing power increase would be dramatic. This might allow us to figure out how to solve these sorts of problems you mention.

 

Why waste time on 1 or 2 problems when you can solve every problem ? The solution to every problem is a more intelligent population. I don't mean education, either -- though that's useful. I mean fundamentally an inherently smarter species. The conscious field is very narrow.. doubling our 6-7 item short term memory would give humans tremendously more ability. Even just that little bit of improvement, in effect a 14 item limit, would enable a complete novice in many fields to perform as an accomplished expert.

 

The other problem is that people see themselves as inherently separate.. always at competition. There is a lack of respect for differences of others and others rights. A growing imperialist mindset that could be very dangerous for our species.

 

Also note that water is a renewable resource..

 

1. The more 'geniuses' we have, the more instruments of mass destruction will be invented also. You assume all genius is good. Without arguing whether 'good' is a bi-product of true genius, perhaps greed or ego are more powerful than a moral obligation to fellow man?

 

2. No. You cant get blood out of a stone. Believe me, Ive tried many times in my trading career!

 

3. Water may be renewable, but it still takes one hell of a lot of resource to irrigate the Nubian Desert. Im sure the Chinese will get round to that when they need to feed their own - like the Arabs have done building golf courses in the UAE, but that money isnt for the good of mankind. How come African kids are dying every day from lack of clean drinking water if its so easily renewable?

[Mysticforex 13]

And after we tweak up human intelligence just a notch or two, we can make sure everybody has blue eyes and blonde hair. Now, if we could only get them to play well with the other children.

[MightyMouse 12]

And after we tweak up human intelligence just a notch or two, we can make sure everybody has blue eyes and blonde hair. Now, if we could only get them to play well with the other children.

 

We can create the perfect children for them to play with. This way the other children won't insult their intelligence and cause them to be mean.

[SIUYA 11]

And after we tweak up human intelligence just a notch or two, we can make sure everybody has blue eyes and blonde hair. Now, if we could only get them to play well with the other children.

 

perfect children dont play with others - they subjugate them.....

oh wait - they will be too intelligent for that!