It never fails to amaze me how easily we have passed from understanding our dependence on, and having a relationship with, the natural world-- to putting all our faith and support on superficially constructed systems and the constructs of civilization.  Some of it has to do with the short historical perspective people have today, some of it with the pride in our creative ability, and some of it with a belief in the superiority of the human being as a species and an almost martial desire to conquer and control our environment.
          It is this childish fascination with being at the center of  everything that causes us to imagine our world as a plaything, to be altered and manipulated at will.  Pure scientists play with their advanced technological toys, experimenting with the building blocks of life with an enthusiastic naivity towards discovery, showing no more concern about the result of their actions than a three year old with tinkertoys.  Hunkering outside those laboratories, vultures enamored of weath and power have continually played a game of Risk with those same "tinkertoys" at the expense of the planet and its children.
         To deny the impermanence of civilizations is to deny history, and to assume that ours will be the exception is pure arrogance.  But the multi-headed monster we have created from curiosity and avarice is not easily controlled.  Until the day our mistakes begin to take new horrendous and visible tolls on our species or our world, the childish scientists will continue to delve recklessly into secrets civilization is ill-prepared to utilize or control, and those who live for no other reason than to horde wealth and power will continue to take those secrets and turn them upon us.
         Pandora's Box is real.

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