For thinking about the future of life on Earth in planetary terms, no one can
match the perspective of an astrobiologist.
David Grinspoon notes two major shifts in Earth’s biological regime: 1) 2.1
billion years ago, when cyanobacteria flipped the whole planet from anaerobic
to oxygen-based life; 2) now, as humans assume domination of the Earth’s living
systems. “We suddenly find ourselves running a planet,” he says, “without
knowing how it should be done. We’re at the controls, but we’re not in
control.” The cyanobacteria were unaware of their role. We are aware of ours.
What should we do about that?
Grinspoon is professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Science at the University
of Colorado and Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute. His books
include: Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future (02016); Lonely
Planets (02004); and Venus Revealed (01998).
"Earth in Human Hands," David Grinspoon, SFJAZZ Center, Hayes Valley, San
Francisco, 7pm, Wednesday, September 6. The show starts promptly at 7:30pm.
To be sure of a seat:
• Long Now Members <https://longnow.org/membership/> can use the discount code
on the Grinspoon Seminar page to reserve 2 free seats
<http://longnow.org/seminars/02017/sep/06/earth-human-hands/>.
• You can purchase tickets for $15 each
<http://longnow.org/seminars/02017/sep/06/earth-human-hands/>.
• Seminar at SFJAZZ Center <http://www.sfjazz.org/visit/directions> 201
Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
• Tune into the live stream <http://longnow.org/live/> for Long Now Members at
7:30 PT - become a member <https://longnow.org/membership/> for just $8 a month.
Share this talk: David Grinspoon, "Earth in Human Hands" Long Now talk on 9/6
https://goo.gl/3h7eHd <https://goo.gl/3h7eHd>
Talks coming up:
Oct 30 (Mon.) - Renee Wegrzyn, Engineering Gene Safety
<http://longnow.org/seminars/02017/oct/30/engineering-gene-safety/>
Nov 20 (Mon.) - Elena Bennett, Seeds of a Good Anthropocene
<http://longnow.org/seminars/02017/nov/20/seeds-good-anthropocene/>
Dec 12 & 13 (Tue. & Wed.) - Rick Prelinger, Lost Landscapes of San Francisco, 12
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This is one of a monthly series of Seminars About Long-term Thinking (SALT)
organized by The Long Now Foundation. Free audio and my summaries of all
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You are welcome to forward this note to anyone you think might be interested.
--Stewart Brand s...@longnow.org <mailto:s...@longnow.org>
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