The future lifespan of Earth’s oxygenated atmosphere

Re:The future lifespan of Earth’s oxygenated atmosphere by ben_w on Wednesday March 03, 2021 @10:35AM (#26329701)

That question is definitely unknowable in advance, because our intelligence level leads to radical changes in the environment in which we exist.

If we really, really, cared, we could set up a momentum exchange between Earth and Jupiter mediated by an asteroid, moving Earth further out and Jupiter (slightly) further in, chasing the outward drift of the Sol habitable zone: https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0102126

Also, we could (in principle, not saying we will or we should) engage in selective breeding or genetic engineering of ourselves; and while mind-uploading is currently SciFi, it’s in the category of “we recon this is eventually possible” rather than “convenient plot device”.

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Re:The future lifespan of Earth’s oxygenated atmosphere by Supermancho on Wednesday March 03, 2021 @10:41AM (#26329792)

If you want to expand semi human traits to other planets (anywhere) you will need genetic engineering. Full stop. The idea that humans can be transplanted as-is does not hold given the results on the home planet.

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Re:The future lifespan of Earth’s oxygenated atmosphere by ben_w on Wednesday March 03, 2021 @10:46AM (#26329882)

OTOH, O’Neill cylinders are an alternative instead of planets, while the bad previous experiences with eugenics (and the tendency people have towards appeal-to-nature fallacy) may make people actively reject GM humans.

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