The Search for Earth II: The Kepler Mission

NASA’s Kepler mission was a groundbreaking space telescope launched to search for potentially habitable planets beyond our solar system. Some key points:

– Launched in 2009, Kepler was designed to survey 150,000 stars over a three-year mission.
– Its goal was to determine whether Earth-like planets are common or rare in the universe.
– The $590-million mission used a 55-inch-wide mirror to detect tiny changes in star brightness caused by transiting planets.
– Kepler aimed to find planets in the “habitable zone” where liquid water could exist on the surface.

As Bill Borucki, the lead mission scientist, stated: “We certainly won’t find E.T., but we might find E.T.’s home.”

Imagining a Different Human Society

Now, let’s consider a thought experiment about a radically different human society focused on long-term planning, sustainability, and cooperation.

If humans had evolved with a stronger innate drive for sustainability and cooperation, our cities might look very different:

– Extensive green spaces and urban forests integrated throughout
– Highly efficient public transportation systems
– Buildings designed for energy efficiency and renewable energy generation
– Mixed-use zoning to reduce commutes and foster community

Cooperation Without Conflict

A society without the urge to fight and only cooperate would be radically different from our current world:

– Resources might be more equitably distributed
– Scientific and technological progress could accelerate due to open collaboration
– Global challenges like climate change might be addressed more effectively

Long-Term Planning

With a focus on long-term goals:

– Infrastructure would be built to last centuries rather than decades
– Education systems might emphasize skills for future challenges
– Environmental conservation would likely be a top priority

Is Such a World Possible?

While this vision is appealing, several factors make it challenging:

1. Genetic Diversity: Humans have evolved with a mix of cooperative and competitive traits. Completely eliminating competition might reduce adaptability.

2. Resource Scarcity: Even with perfect cooperation, limited resources could still lead to conflicts.

3. Individual Variation: Differences in personal goals and values would still exist, potentially creating tensions.

4. Complexity of Global Systems: Managing a planet-wide cooperative society would be incredibly complex.

However, elements of this vision are achievable. Many communities and organizations already work towards greater sustainability and cooperation. The Kepler mission itself demonstrates how humans can come together to pursue long-term, visionary goals.

While we may not achieve a utopia, understanding the benefits of cooperation and long-term planning can help us build better societies and explore the cosmos more effectively – just as Kepler sought to find new worlds among the stars.