Curating Content To Support Learning About Humanity's Transition

This content was posted on  5 Sep 17  by   The Long Now Foundation  on  Podcast
David Grinspoon – Earth in Human Hands

For thinking about the future of life on Earth in planetary terms, no one can match the perspective of an astrobiologist.

David Grinspoon notes two major shifts in Earth’s biological regime: 1) 2.1 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria flipped the whole planet from anaerobic to oxygen-based life; 2) now, as humans assume domination of the Earth’s living systems. “We suddenly find ourselves running a planet,” he says, “without knowing how it should be done. We’re at the controls, but we’re not in control.” The cyanobacteria were unaware of their role. We are aware of ours. What should we do about that?

Grinspoon is professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Science at the University of Colorado and Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute. His books include: “Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future”: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1455589128/ref=smi_ge_rl_rd_gw (02016); “Lonely Planets”: https://smile.amazon.com/Lonely-Planets-Natural-Philosophy-Alien/dp/0060185406/ref=sr_1_1 (02004); and “Venus Revealed”: https://smile.amazon.com/Venus-Revealed-Clouds-Mysterious-Planet/dp/0201328399/ref=sr_1_1 (01998).

“Earth in Human Hands” was given on September 06, 02017 as part of Long Now’s Seminar series. The series was started in 02003 to build a compelling body of ideas about long-term thinking from some of the world’s leading thinkers. The Seminars take place in San Francisco and are curated and hosted by Stewart Brand. To follow the talks, you can:

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