Let It Be

I don't know if this is a good idea.I think scientists are getting too caught up in "how to keep things the same." Things die. That's just how it works. Furthermore, new things can't grow until old things die. Take a look at these helpful examples.

1. Pine trees. Pine trees drop hundreds of pinecones, an incredibly small percentage of which will ever grow into trees. The larger trees make it impossible for new things to grow around them. But when these trees burn, the pinecones open up, the sun breaks through, and the remains of the fallen trees nourish the next generation.

2. Ideas. You have to let old ideas die, or even actively kill them to allow new ideas to spread. Sub-example: the Metric system. You can't use two systems just because you're kind of fond of the old system. In order to let this (very old) new idea reach its objective (of making everything easier for everyone and allow for a cooperation of standards) possible. While some countries understood that you have to abandon old ideas to let new ones take root, others have held on to their no-longer-useful ideals. (see Liberty, Freedom, God, and the Imperial System. Actually, that's not a bad title for a satirical book.)

3. Relationships. You have to let past relationships die before a new one can grow.


I'm not saying that we should ignore preservation, but when something goes extinct... it's like a breakup. Sure, you can be sad, but you have to get over it. The worst thing to do is get that idea that you can get her back. In fact, nature is a lot like a woman. Take care of her, treat her right, and when she goes away, lament. But always move on.