The real challenge facing humanity in this new century is not just global warming

[randr]

We are rapidly approaching a possible world where our most needed energy sources will be renewable, cheap, and clean. At the same time we are developing means of manufacturing, farming, production, transportation, etal that are replacing the human element.
The history of human progress and evolution has been a long journey to make life essentially easier. The cost of the last major step in this direction, the industrial age, has come at a great cost; the possible destruction of our major support system--our Earth's current ecosystem.
The first society/country that figures out how to balance the continuance of a joyful human existence with the emerging reality of clean energy and a 24/7 robotic work force will win the human race, so to speak.
My bets are on China. A nation of people who have existed collectively longer than all world empires combined must be doing something right.
A very basic study of past and present Chinese philosophies presents one major difference between the east and west. A simple life is revered above wealth and power. Not all dynasties or most recent leaderships have espoused these ideals but they remain a thread throughout Chinese history and may explain why they have lasted as a nation for so long.
If we are to survive as the custodians of our planet we will need to evolve our thinking beyond a quest for wealth and a life in the hereafter and accept that a simple joyful life in the here and now is the most worthy goal.

[SubjectiveLife78]

1. Every step along the way to making human life easier

has been met with an increase in the destruction of our major support system. Why do you think renewable, cheap, and clean energy is going to decrease that in and of itself? Just because we say it's clean? We were altering environments when we hunted with sharp sticks and planted a couple seeds. If it actually is renewable, clean, and most importantly cheap, we will find more ways to use more energy. We'll force ourselves to use more of it.

You think a societal/global foundation of automated robots, supporting a single species that will do nothing but consume, is going to lead to a simple and joyful existence? If nothing else, that certainly won't be simple. That will be the most energy intensive and complicated system humans have ever devised.

Not to mention, what if someone doesn't want just a simple life? What if they want more?