Gaia's Groove: 5 of 8

Let’s Make a Deal

 

Gaia said, “It’s time we had a little chat, you and I.”

Gaia said, “Yes, I mean you. You! You Humans!  You naughty beasts! Bad children! Bad! I have had quite enough of you! It’s time for me to prune you back! Shall we do this the easy way or the hard way?”

“Now that I have your attention, listen up! You’re too successful; you’ve outgrown your niche! If you want peace with me – your Mother! – then you must do at least one of three things: raise your death rate, or lower your birth rate, or expand your niche.”

“Make no mistake; I can make option one stick! I have plenty of plagues stored up, and droughts and floods and much else! So you’d better show me some respect. As for option two, I’ve already sent out plenty of breed-no-more signals, which you are already obeying!”

“Oh, you’re interested in option three? You want there to be even more of you? And you want to stick around for awhile? The kind of awhile that I call awhile? Well then, act like you’re interested! Change your ways! Plan to colonize deep time!”

“Oh, some of you already have plans? Let’s see… sustainable, high-power, low-cost tech… A fine dream, dear clever children! Do you have it? Oh, only two out those three so far? But you’re working on it?”

“Then keep at it! Take all the decades you need to get it right! Meanwhile use up the old tech, and let your population implosion take its course. When your clean green high-tech is ready, let it take over! This I command by the Power of the Invisible Hand!”