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Optimists like to believe science
will find ways to solve all problems created by rampant human
population growth. Food shortages? "Science will find ways to
make food out of bacteria." Energy shortages? "Science will
find ways to turn air into energy." Water shortages? "Science
will find economical ways to make ocean water potable." There
is one shortage caused by population growth even optimists admit
science will have a hard time replacing: solitude!
Perhaps one day science will produce "Solitude Chambers" which
people can enter to take walks in "virtual" woods, climb "virtual"
mountains, survey "virtual" desert vistas, and study "virtual"
creatures in "virtual" tide pools. Perhaps when the U.S. population
reaches one billion, people will have become so accustomed to
"virtual" reality and so sickened by oppressive humanity, they
will welcome the relief provided by a machine which can mimic
the sights, sounds, smells, and feel of the great outdoors.
Perhaps.
For now, there are still many who would
like their descendants to be able to take walks in real woods,
climb real mountains, survey real desert vistas, and study real
creatures in real tide pools--and to not have to make reservations
a year in advance to do so.
If you are one of those people who prize real rather than "virtual"
solitude, and if you know of an organization which makes the
connection between population growth and loss of solitude, please
click the "Contact Us" button and tell us about yourself and
that organization. |
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