There is altruism in the Universe:

There’s an allegory about a young kid who lost a coin in a dark place, but went looking frantically for it half a block away under a street light. A passer-by, being a good Samaritan, offered to help.
“What is it you have lost?” he asked.
“My money,” replied the kid with tearful eyes.
The Samaritan joined in the search; however, half an hour and a small crowd later he couldn’t find the coin.
“Where exactly did you lose your Money? He asked the kid exasperatedly.
“About half a block that way,” pointed the kid with a finger.
“Then why are you looking for your money here if you lost it half a block up that way?”
“Because this is the nearest street light, “ replied the kid indignantly.

What if aliens existed in one or more parallel universes? What if you could travel to these universes not by pathetic mechanical means, like rockets and space modules, but through other forms of transportation, in a manner as simple as switching a TV channel on a remote control unit?

Despite some advances in quantum physics, our science still provides for and dwells in an electromechanical world.

"The Myth of Self Reliance" http://www.energybulletin.net/node/51408

OMG. Toby Hemenway again. If he weren't a permaculture author he'd be writing for Peak Oil Debunked. The guy just loves to bite the hand that feeds him.

There must be some genes associated with not having children, though, because some people choose not to have them, and some people attempt to live "sustainably" to some extent. If it were genetic that we can't do these things (or won't do them) then nobody would ever do them. These people might be mutants, but of course mutation is an important aspect of genetics. Sadly, the non-reproducing mutants don't pass on their non-reproducing and frugal genes.

Personally, I think it's cultural, not genetic. But that's just me.

Their industry brought about many inventions like Babbitt metal, the rotary harrow, the circular saw, the clothespin, the Shaker peg, the flat broom, and the wheel-driven washing machine.

Membership in the Shakers dwindled in the late 1800s for several reasons . . . Shakers could not have children, so adoption was a major source of new members . . . there is one remaining active Shaker community, at Sabbathday Lake, Maine, which as of December 2009 has only three members left . . .

The case isn't closed.

Hahaha... that's the best example you got, Mos?

Before I made this post, I did think of a few animals, mainly birds, that strictly speaking contradict what I claimed. The example I was thinking of is a bird (can't remember the species) that builds something resembling a straw thatched house. And there are many observed cases of monkeys using sticks to retrieve termites from mounds. No doubt there are others.

But I think the key distinction is that at some point, a quantitative difference eventually becomes a qualitative difference.

Those beaver are taking down the trees with their teeth, not driving their car to WalMart, buying a chainsaw, driving to the gas station to get fuel and then cutting down the tree.

Once these large technical systems that we utterly depend upon start failing - and they will - we will have to adapt or die. I don't really see any alternative.

Hahaha... that's the best example you got, Mos?

Before I made this post, I did think of a few animals, mainly birds, that strictly speaking contradict what I claimed. The example I was thinking of is a bird (can't remember the species) that builds something resembling a straw thatched house. And there are many observed cases of monkeys using sticks to retrieve termites from mounds. No doubt there are others.

But I think the key distinction is that at some point, a quantitative difference eventually becomes a qualitative difference.

Those beaver are taking down the trees with their teeth, not driving their car to WalMart, buying a chainsaw, driving to the gas station to get fuel and then cutting down the tree.

Once these large technical systems that we utterly depend upon start failing - and they will - we will have to adapt or die. I don't really see any alternative.