California Expert Software

Introduction
Almost everyone is solely concerned about the present, life as it is. For most people, there is no real future, only a continuation of the present. This is perfectly natural, as we have evolved very successfully until now with that attitude. But there is a difficulty for any species which achieves the degree of environmental control now possessed by Homo sapiens: too much success.

There is a contradiction in the evolutionary process which has never arisen until now: what happens when a species is too successful? In the four billion year history of life on Earth, no species other than Homo sapiens obtained near-total control over its environment. Even the ubiquitous bacteria which remade Earth's atmosphere are balanced by several geological and living processes. Until now, 'this far and no farther' has been the motto of organic evolution. So, our present situation is unprecedented.

If organic evolution follows a similar path elsewhere in our Universe - and I believe it does - then intelligent species probably have arisen millions of times and faced this problem. By "intelligent," I mean smart enough to gain as much environmental control as we have. Having that intelligence does not imply the ability to reflect and regulate; i.e., self-consciousness. An intelligent species might achieve all that we have accomplished without thinking about it. It might be programmed that way. In such a case, the successful species might survive indefinitely, if it also has a built-in braking mechanism; something that says 'this far and no farther.' Brakes don't matter much in the long struggle uphill, or if one glides to a stop at the crest of the grade. But if the trip continues past the top without brakes, beyond a certain point the process becomes a runaway truck going downhill, inevitably crashing. Folk saying: 'They higher they rise, the harder they fall.'

Despite the common belief in our self-consciousness, that is not in itself a guarantee we will put on the brakes. We could be self-conscious, but still programmed; mere passengers in our vehicles. After all, why we haven't we met any ETs lately? It could be too soon or too late, for us or for them. It could be that inter-stellar space is a barrier too great for every species (although I don't believe that). Or, perhaps no species ever gets a grip on itself before ruining its home planet. It doesn't matter if we are self-conscious, if we refuse responsibility, if we don't have the will, if we lack self-control. In all those cases, we are just along for the ride.

I was revulsed last weekend by an ad broadcast all over California by Chevron (a multi-national oil company), its fellow travelers and an anti-tax group. It opposes a tax on oil proposed in Proposition 87 (on California's November ballot). The TV ad shows a middle aged woman next to her obviously large SUV and a gas pump. She complains about a tax on gas, saying it will be used to fund a useless government bureaucracy. That bureaucracy would regulate energy uses, promote conservation and "alternative" energy. I was angered, because in my mind's eye I can see the SUV owners' road rage incited by paying more for gasoline. The oil industry's shill says it all in her face: rejection of any responsibility for what is happening; spiteful refusal to change. It is true: Prop 87 asks Californians to do something about the climate disaster now upon us. (By the latest count, 141 Californians died in the recent 13 day heat wave.)

I think the vast majority (85% or more of the people) reject the story I am trying to tell. I think the reason for rejection is what it says about the lives people are leading. The story requires people to change their lives. I think most people feel resentful when so informed, because it blames them for the way things are. I sometimes feel that way, too, but there's no way out of it. When we fire up the gas guzzlers, we are contributing to global climate change. When we have too many children, we are bringing about a critical overpopulation problem.

Conservatives feel they have a right to do whatever they want. It's my property: I can do whatever I want with it! I can go wherever I want; you can't stop me. You can't tell me whether I can have children! Who says 1500 (2400, 3200, 4000, 8000 ...) sq. ft. is enough for a two person home? I want green grass, so I'm going to water the lawn. It's hot: I'm turning up the a/c. Screw you!

Many people have advised me to 'go easy.' Don't lay it on the line. I've been given that advice most of my life, except during the revolutionary years of the 1960-70s. I've been told people will accept and act on the message, if it is presented in an acceptable manner. For many decades, others have pleased, pretty pleased, cajoled and pleaded. Sometimes I have done it as well. But look at the results: nada. Things are worse than ever. Going easy doesn't work: it just makes it easy for people to cop out. After all, when offered a sickeningly sweet story, people can pass it up. Sugar coating is ineffective.

Responsibility brings us back to rejection. It's much easier to get blustery and defensive than do anything. But we are at the point where there's no choice. People have to be shaken up and told: 'Look, it's your last chance. Shape up or ship out.' That's the message our natural world is sending, loud and clear. Mother Nature doesn't fool around.

There are just three outcomes. Mother Nature could get tired of us and snuff us out. Why not? She's done it to millions of other species. Some of us could get tired of the others of us. This is already happening in some parts of the world, just as it always has. The difference is, this time, the other half can make sure, in its Solomonic wisdom, that everyone gets a piece of the baby.

Then there could be the day when we are ET, out and about, meeting and greeting. That is the day I've hoped for all my life.

Outcomes ...