I'm feeling a bit dreamy and sentimental...
alienheep:
When I first started coming out here in 2000 it was so much different as well. The intersection right here that was once a wonderful sand drifted four way stop is now a six lane mega street. The sand no where to be found. I used to love the sandstorms that would pick up on windy days (like today actually) and if you were out in one the sand would build up on your windshield so much you would have no choice but to use the wiper once or twice to remove it. I haven't seen a sand storm in years because there is no more sand in this desert, only concrete and grass. With all of the extra sprinklers and lack of sand the humidity sometimes feels more like Florida than a desert.
alienheep:
I'd hate to end up like the Asimov novel. Caves of Steal. I drive down the freeway sometimes and stare off into the mountains and wonder what the valley must have been like before all of the concrete was poured. Seven billion people have to live somewhere but damn. Sure, human progress is what got us into this mess, only because it is had by human minds. Ironically, it's progress through technology that can save us, seriously though, one more reason, despite the difficulties, to head out into space. Not only would it create millions of jobs, but solve the ever increasing sustainability problem. Though, the amoeba analogy is pretty accurate and if we don't learn from the mistakes made on Earth it will only happen again elsewhere. I just don't see how a society such as ours can survive without a complete paradigm shift in human thinking. Call me crazy (if you haven't already ) but currency based economics is the main culprit. I long for the (mythological) era when people do in the name of good and discovery, or simply because shit needs to get done, and take care of the world or worlds of which support them. Celebrated by vast cultural diversity but united in common interests instead of separated by differences. In such a world there would be no reason or warrant for our small sandy roads to become six lane highways.