THE HUMAN RACE

I'm what you'd say, mildly interested, in this space exploration thing, but not from the standpoint of mankind actually undertaking such a leap. Frankly, I don't think that it's necessary to send people to the moon, or to Mars, nor does it make any sense to establish actually colonies. As far as terraforming Mars, or altering, or enhancing, its magnetic shield to make it more habitable, I believe that this is totally insane. Why? What do we hope to prove?

There are some that believe that by establishing a permanent colony on Mars we can preserve humanity's memory in the event that we are successful in wiping our existence off the face of the Earth by some means, or another, or in the event that the Earth might be struck by a meteor of a size that would cause a mass extinction event. No one seems to realize, however, that the moon and Mars could easily suffer similar fates. In fact the fate of a Mars colony is questionable at best. Without an enhanced magnetic shield Mars will continue to lose what oxygen it has trapped, and will be as vulnerable as Earth to being struck by a meteor of extinction size. Also, what happens if terraforming fails, and Mars is dependent upon being resupplied from Earth, and Earth's inhabitants are wiped out. Obviously it's goodbye any evidence that humans existed.

This idea that by establishing a permanent colony on Mars is a means of saving humanity in the event that Earth is rendered uninhabitable is in itself wishful thinking, as it has come to light that in order to survive on Mars, or in space, longterm, it will necessitate in physical, and chemical alterations to our species. Whereas, apparently, it has taken a million years for humanity to take the shape and form present today, on Mars humanity would undergo a transformation into another species within 6,000 years. So much for saving humanity.

There's another thing to consider should humans discover life be it a virus, or bacteria, on Mars, can we let Mars explorers return to Earth? The risk that they would be contaminated, in my opinion, would be too great. I know, it's all science fiction, but then a little over a hundred years ago atomic power, and space travel, was just science fiction.

We're on the cusp of developing artificial intelligence to a level far superior to a humans ability. Employing A.I. to carry out the exploration of Mars, and beyond, and to complete tasks deemed essential to the success of our survival will be far less expensive than fullfiling the childhood dreams of a few billionaires, and the brilliant minds of a younger generation that has been taken in with the thought that they are part of something immensely important to humanity.

I'm a bit of a naturalist. I'm fascinated by nature, and its many amazing creatures. Some of you may be very religious and believe that when you die you go to a better place, a place some call heaven. I have a difficult time grasping this concept believing that we've already found paradise. Paradise is here, it's all around us. Stop for a moment, and look around. Why are we in such a rush to leave this paradise for something harsh, and unrealistic? It really doesn't make sense, and I believe that if those in a rush to leave could take a moment away from their competitive nature, and think of their children, and future generations, they too might come to understand that saving this paradise is far more important than the realization of a child's fantasy.

These days I seem to do more writing than sketching and painting. My sketching and painting of late has been done to help with the completion of a book projects, to serve what purpose I do not know..... 

THE HUMAN RACE

Many years ago I joined the human race,

a race to where,

no one knows.

Yet,

regardless of race, 

physical ability, 

or religious beliefs,

everyone must join the race.

At the start confusion reigns.

The race,

already underway,

is filled with competitors

stretched 

as far as the eye can see.

At first I raced with children,

their parents cheered them on.

But, as the race continued, 

and the participants 

grew older, 

the cheering crowd 

grew thinner.

Family members mostly,

as far as I could see.

The years,

they passed so quickly.

The race continued on.

The finish line, 

no where in sight.

And as I ran I noticed

the cheering crowd 

grow thinner.

And then, 

one day,

the finish line came into sight.

I looked about,

and was shocked to see

that there were few onlookers,

no cheers,

just silence,

and just me.

Vision blurring, 

I continue racing, 

to where ..... 

I do not know.

EAS

For those of you interested in sketches and paintings, instead of my ramblings, here are a few sketches and paintings recently completed and being considered for a new book:-

Pattersons Bay Island                  Pen & Ink Study

Oxtongue Lake       Watercolour painting   2017

Pattersons Bay Island   Oxtongue Lake          Watercolour Painting 2017