Jim McK, Nice piece. This world will be what we humans make it from here on in, barring errant asteroids. In fact we probably already have the ability but probably not the will (lots of $$$$$$) to detect and divert errant asteroids. Humans can be relied upon to act in a short-sighted manner over time. Conservation is important. Preservation of species and biological diversity is important. My most favorite plants in the world are the wild species of Hippeastrum from South America. People and their goats are wiping a lot of them out. That's why I grow as many as I can here in the cold, inhospitable (to Hippeastrum) northeastern Midwest. They are at least not going to become weeds right here. Where things become irrational and counterproductive is when emotions overwhelm reason in matters of conservation of biological diversity. We are very unlikely to succeed in saving many species if our emotions override our rational brain in trying to achieve such goals. I'm not optimistic about humans ever behaving logically. If I live long enough I expect to see the world totally paved in asphalt between the high-rise apartment blocks. Jim Shields ************************************************* Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd. P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/ Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA