Transcending oblivion

This essay argues that a primary guiding vision for earth-life should be to emigrate from earth and this solar system prior to its oblivion by a dying Sun. While there is no urgency to accomplish this daunting task, there is cause for worry that today's behaviors may preclude earth-life from ever ac hieving this goal or, at the very least, delay achievement of the goal by m any millions of years. Transcending oblivion is consistent with fundamental genetic imperatives for survival and psychological archetypes, myths, and motivations. Adopting this goal as an orientation for earth-life also overc omes several ethical problems associated with future generations and is con sistent with environmental protection and sustainable development efforts. Transcending oblivion is not consistent, however, with other global trends towards ever increasing consumerism and individualism. It is suggested that new indicators be developed that measure progress towards transcending obl ivion and risks to achieving the goal. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All r ights reserved.