The Historical Isolation of the Inughuit
In 1818, an expedition led by John Ross encountered the Inughuit around Inglefield Firth. For centuries, the Inughuit, descendants of the Thule villages, had lived in complete isolation. Arriving in Greenland during the 13th century, they experienced a golden age until, around the 17th century, climate change severed their connections with the rest of civilization, leading them to believe they were the last humans on Earth. This isolation lasted for hundreds of years.
The Ends of the World
The notion of the “end of the world” has been a recurring literary theme for millennia. Yet, few communities have believed themselves to be the last bastions of humanity. The ‘Apocalypse’ was often perceived more as a ‘reset’ than a ‘finality.’ As Thomas Moynihan noted in his book, ‘X-Risk: How Humanity Discovered Its Own Extinction’, the complete end of the world was historically viewed as “virtually unthinkable.”
However, the last two centuries have shifted perspectives. We have come to understand that we are not necessarily a product of the universe’s evolution. The realization that human extinction is possible has become unsettlingly clear.
The Potential for Existential Risk
Nick Bostrom highlighted over two decades ago that accelerating technological advancements may bring humanity closer to a crucial turning point. Existential risks are threats that could annihilate humanity or severely diminish our future potential. These risks could eliminate not just the current population but also the prospects of future generations.
Dan Meyers
The threats we face have intensified in this century. In addition to climate crises and the nuclear threat, we now grapple with the complications brought on by artificial intelligence.
Hawking’s Disturbing Prediction
In 2016, Stephen Hawking addressed the Oxford Union, a world-renowned debating society, offering profound insight into existential risks. He famously stated, “I don’t think we will survive another thousand years.” His assertion reflected a consensus among experts, conveying a serious concern about humanity’s long-term survival.
Exploring Our Options
Hawking’s suggestion wasn’t merely a bleak outlook; rather, he proposed a potential solution. Emphasizing the need to “escape beyond our fragile planet,” he presented space exploration as a “Plan B.” To him, the drive for interplanetary survival transcended intellectual curiosity—it was a fundamental existential issue.
However, a moral hazard exists in focusing too much on space as an alternative. We must not use this as an excuse to neglect urgent issues on Earth. Yet, Hawking’s context clarifies that exploring new worlds is essential, but so is caring for our own.
Willingness to Dream Big
Ultimately, Hawking posited a necessity for aspiration. We require our dreams of space exploration to motivate technological advancements and innovative perspectives. While the Inughuit illustrate the consequences of isolation, Hawking reminds us that, irrespective of our circumstances, “the important thing is not to give up.”
Image Credits: Tanya Hart | Alexander Andrews