Carl Sagan deals with this question. He says our brains have over 3 billion years worth of evolution that is hard wired toward destructiveness. However, since we also have an awareness of our ability to destroy and the intellect to see the advantages of not destroying ourselves the situation is not hopeless. He says it's important for humankind to understand our evolutionary origins and to not forget we're basically alligators with hydrogen bombs. By understanding that, he says, we may be able to show restraint and get through this very dangerous era of our development.
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