I Used to Hope Humans Were Headed for Extinction. Now I Know That Fantasy Allows Us the Easy Way Out.
Briefly

The article discusses the author's long-standing fear of climate change and the potential for human extinction as a result. Initially fueled by hopelessness about human inaction, the author later explores this topic through research on historical catastrophes. Despite a grim outlook, insights from historians suggest that humanity often finds ways to adapt and innovate after disasters. This nuanced perspective offers a hopeful counterbalance to the prevalent narrative of inevitable doom amidst climate crises.
But according to historians studying past catastrophes, human extinction is improbable, despite our self-destructive tendencies. Adverse events often lead to resilience and innovation instead of doom.
The historical perspective provided by experts in disaster management reveals that societies often adapt in the face of overwhelming challenges, which brings a sliver of hope amid the bleak narrative.
Read at Slate Magazine
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