thought experiment about extinction

[baric]

Here's a thought experiment..

 

(yes, I know this is implausible, but please accept the premise)

 

Premise: Astronomers discover a huge, Pluto-sized body deep in the Kuiper Belt and realize that, due to a recently perturbed orbit, that it will directly impact Earth in 30,000 years -- destroying all life on our planet. Because of its size, this impact is unavoidable. Many suggest that the only way for humans to survive extinction is to start an intensive and expensive effort to terraform and colonize Mars, which would take at least 20,000 years to complete.

 

 

Question: Does our generation choose to do anything about it, or do we shrug and decide to let future generations worry about it?

[swansont]

!

Moderator Note

Moved, since this is much more a political/sociological issue than one of physics or astronomy

Given current behavior, I think we'd push the problem off until it was too late. There would be people who would question the science and use that or other reasons to justify not solving the problem.

[Schrödinger's hat]

Given current behavior, I think we'd push the problem off until it was too late. There would be people who would question the science and use that or other reasons to justify not solving the problem.

 

Pfft, when have people ever reacted that way to an impending worldwide issue that will cause a lot more harm if the response is delayed?

You speak nonsense.

Edited November 27, 2011 by Schrödinger's hat

[Jaden]

Pfft, when have people ever reacted that way to an impending worldwide issue that will cause a lot more harm if the response is delayed?

 

Global Warming. I'm sure that most of the worlds major nations could do a lot more to prevent it than they have been.

[Schrödinger's hat]

Global Warming. I'm sure that most of the worlds major nations could do a lot more to prevent it than they have been.

 

Hmm, perhaps I forgot the sarcasm tags. :/

[JohnB]

The problem is with the initial assumption.

 

While it might take 20,000 years to terraform Mars using todays tech, it might only take 1,000 years using the tech available in 20,000 years.

 

Good luck to anybody who wants to use predictions of technological advances for the next 20,000 years to justify actions today.

 

Global Warming. I'm sure that most of the worlds major nations could do a lot more to prevent it than they have been.

 

Yes, if it had been caused by man and prevented we would still be living in the wonderful climate known as the "Little Ice Age". Why this is supposedly a good thing I have yet to understand.