Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Disasters

The books that I've read and recent disasters had set me thinking.

On the day before the fateful earthquake in Indonesia, there was another quake in Antarctica measuring 8.2 on the Richter scale. This quake didn't cause much fatality as it was understandably secluded.

What's wrong with the Earth?

Global warming had been quite a big issue for the recent years. However, there are some studies to indicate that the temperature is actually on the wane. This notion was explored in works that I've seen/read recently like Day after Tomorrow (yeah, I know I'm very slow!) and Michael Crichton's latest book, State of Fear. Although these are works of friction, there's enough theory to set one thinking about the weather of the next century. Not that we all will be here to witness it but surely it's something that's going to affect our descendants?

I know earthquakes are not related to the climate. But what if one fine day, there comes this "double hit combo" of serial earthquakes and extreme climate changes?

Die, loh.

The strong ripples, otherwise known as tsunamis or tidal waves are just going to reach every continent. Why, you could even take a dip in the Sahara if you want! Singapore, being theoretically geographically safe will not be spared too. We are indeed sheltered against natural disasters of a normal magnitude but who knows what will happen in times of extreme climate?

In the history of Earth, there had been 5 documented periods of extinction. Are we, human, going to cause the 6th? It's quite possible if you ask me.

What will the future occupant of the planet be? Cockroaches?

Sometimes the human being can be quite useless. Which other known living species on Earth take so long to develop? Most mammals can walk in a matter of hours after being born. Human? We take about one year to develop. Even so, it takes 2-3 years for a human baby to be able to feed itself unaided.

Sure we all can think, but what about a baby? A human brain is so developed that it has to be underdeveloped at the moment a baby is born. If not, the head will just be too big to pass through the birth canal!

This is so sad.

No one knows for sure the true origin of the Universe. Everything is just so vast. And in a way, every thing in the Milky Way will be destroyed in about 5 million years from now. There's a theory that the Sun will burn out all its energy by then and self destruct a la a super nova just all is left will just be a black hole.

Well, all these are theories anyway. The Big-Bang theory (can anyone understand the whole structure? I was literally seeing stars after reading 2 pages of it!), Armageddon theory, et cetera.

So depressing right? I'm feeling kind of, after seeing the death toll rise to 68,000 this morning (and still counting).

Moral of the story: Love the Earth! It's the only home we have! For now.


A moment of silence for all victims and their families, please.
fjozn at 11:38 AM