Pale Blue Dot
This book impacted me by changing how I saw the connection between technology and the world, especially after reading The Canticle For Leibowitz. As Canticle depicted the dangers of technology, Pale Blue Dot put those dangers into perspective. The book emphasized the fragility of our planet. Regardless of what civilizations there are on it, the fact remains: we must all pitch in, and treat our planet well. We must be careful to not ruin it with human technology, as it is the only planet in the entire universe that we know can support life. I thought of the technologies that exist nowadays, that if not managed carefully, could collapse this fragile ecosystem that we live in: either through a nuclear holocaust or over industrialization and environmental neglect (global warming, climate change, etc.)
However, ideas of science and technology could be used to save it against other world-ending threats, such as stray comets big enough to wipe us out or food and water shortages to name a few. My understanding of this duality, the bad and good, of science and technology, was strengthened by this reading. I realized that the only way to completely ensure our species prospers, we must pursue technology. Otherwise, we would be completely subject to the whims of mother nature, who is not always kind. Since we must pursue knowledge, we shall. But during this process of science and development, we need to be as careful, ethical, and safe as possible; some of the power we will bestow upon ourselves to resist nature is strong enough to destroy ourselves. This book gave me a sense of responsibility that comes with knowledge seeking.
Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61663.Pale_Blue_Dot
