The pace of change on this planet, like our universe, is expanding at an incredible rate. Possibly at an exponential rate. Since I wrote my post called, “If Humanity can imagine it—will it come true?” I’ve become aware of at least a half dozen new, mind-boggling scientific, engineering and medical advances. That was only a month ago.

We are at a cusp, we’re standing on a knife edge; fall one way and utter disaster, tip the other way and the human race takes the next step in its evolution.

I wonder, is this the final test? Succeed and our survival is assured?

I can’t help but think that in a hundred years, two hundred at the most, we will be able to protect ourselves from virtually any threat. I can’t help but think that just below the surface of our knowledge lies something incredible, a key to everything, a key that will allow us to control our existence, a key to modify our reality—to allow people to safely travel the solar system, to jump from galaxy to galaxy, from universe to universe. A key that will allow the human race to continue, possibly, forever.

But it can only happen if we succeed at this test.

And what is the test?

Survival.

Survive and we move on. It’s that simple.

Technological advances are only part of the solution. In fact it’s a baby step compared to overcoming the dark side of our psyche. It is our social and psychological state that poses the greatest danger to our survival.

It causes us to fight amongst ourselves. It causes us to set artificial boundaries that separate groups of people from each other, thereby continuing conflict. It’s discrimination of every kind: country, skin color, religion, sex, politics. These prejudices are a huge threat to our survival as they block the level of co-operation needed to succeed.

Ask yourself, “Why do we need countries? Why do we need borders?” Are we not all people of Earth? That is our commonality, not artificial boundaries created, in some cases, thousands of years ago when it was necessary to fight amongst ourselves to ensure our survival. This is not the case now and in fact it will almost certainly ensure our demise.

Co-operate, work together and we survive. We pass the test.

The next time you wonder, “Why am I here? Why do I exist? What is my purpose?” Think of this answer, “I’m here to ensure the continuation of the human race.”

Let’s give our future generations the opportunity to see the wonder. Let’s give Humanity the chance to take the next step in its evolution.

All the best,

PG.

PG Harding is an Electrical Engineer, Freelance Writer, Poet and Author of the science fiction novel, “The Messenger Within,” a story of global warming.

Go to themessengerwithin.ca to see further commentary, posts and writings.