Searching for the Logic of Ignoring Earth’s Global Physical Conditions

Abstract

Knowledge deficiencies and ignorance content relating to critical physical conditions of earth in glacial-interglacial cycles are analyzed from the point of view of whether human societies are capable of adapting and dealing with radical climate change in distant future. Amplified Milankovitch theory and canopied earth theory of glacial-interglacial cycles provide conflicting signals, one seeing the current interglacial lengthened by human-induced climate change giving the human societies ample time to prepare for the next glacial and the other seeing the arrival of the next glacial to be independent of human activities and thus posing a supreme risk to unprepared human societies. Foundational analysis indicates little difference between the ancient and modern humans reacting to glacial-interglacial cycles. Both, preoccupied with daily requirements of life fail to prepare to address their knowledge deficiencies of global physical conditions and thus expose individuals and societies to immense risk without adaptive possibilities.