Carl Sagan was a strong proponent of the Fermi paradox,
a theory suggesting that technological civilizations
tend to destroy themselves rather quickly
upon reaching a certain level of sophistication.
The defining ‘advancement’ so the story goes
is the splitting of the atom.
This brings us to headline news
from the great ‘Down Under’….
The discovery of a slimy green organism
thriving splendidly within the radioactive hot springs
of the North Flinders Ranges at Arkaroola.
Imagine the possibilities of a wholly new
evolutionary line springing forth from this source,
not only radiation resistant,
but also capable of photosynthesis,
therefore self-sustaining.
The appearance of ‘Little Green Men’
may not be so alien after all.
~Pollygraph
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February 4, 2007 at 7:26 am
Literary Bohemian
Fascinating!
February 4, 2007 at 9:04 am
Heather Blakey
Now I just love imagining possibilities like this Charlotte and if it is from down here anything is possible.
February 4, 2007 at 10:52 am
faucon
In the late 90,s when PC were realy taking off, a British company was experimenting with a green slime mold that lef, after death, a slattice structure that could be addressed like RAM. i.e hold a charge indefinately at addressable locations. It sealy test showed a ‘memory’ capacity of more than eight gigabytes per swuare centameter. Thus, ‘painting’ the inside of your computer case would supply dynamic RAM in the terabyte range — more than any mainframe at that time. Just green slime! rumor has it that IBM bought the company and ‘killed’ the stuff.
papa
February 4, 2007 at 2:57 pm
lorigloyd
Is this real or one of Anita Marie’s stories? Freaaaakyyyyyy.
February 4, 2007 at 3:02 pm
amazonratz
We know not when the next masters shall arise, and when the current ones will face domination and destruction…could be the slime is plotting against us even now…mwah-hah-hah-ha! karen
February 4, 2007 at 10:39 pm
quinncreative
It is both amazing and fitting that slime will rule the earth. Better than cockroaches, which are predicted to be the only survivors of a nuclear war. Slime is better. Slime can smile, in anagrammical way.
February 4, 2007 at 11:12 pm
cronelogical
And here I thought it had already happened!?
February 5, 2007 at 12:38 am
gailkav
Interestingly, I was just discussing with my daughter the other day, while watching one of those reality shows that specialise in destroying lives, that this was very like the last days of the Roman Empire – only instead of throwing people to the lions, we throw them to TV audiences. And now this. I agree with you, Fran, I thought the slime had already taken over.
February 6, 2007 at 9:31 pm
jan2
I suppose there is a chance that the slime may need too much time to develop before it rules Earth – the ice caps will have melted and what isn’t under water will be scorchingly hot – will the slime adapt to those conditions? Will the vastly reduced population concentrate on finding a new way to live on Earth or will there be daily trips to colonies far, far away? Fascinating!