Wonderful article. I'm a science fiction writer and I examine all of these ideas. We won't be immortal but we will bio-engineer our bodies if we don't wipe ourselves out. That is the major hurdle I believe most planetary civilizations face.

Unfortunately we are dominated by men right now. Men of all shapes and colors. We're out of wack and heading towards a major disaster which they've caused. I am furious with them - sorry guys. Just back off the patriarchy would ya. Also throw in major religions as well and you almost have the trifecta. Add capitalism and you've got it.

Personally I don't want us to make it through if we DO NOT CHANGE THE WAY OUR CIVILIZATION WORKS. We are a slave species - working for the one percent of males who own most of everything here. That is not a life for most of us, so we must first wipe ourselves out and then start again.

In my books I imagine that some of us survive using technology and then emerge to find a better way of living with each other and our planet. I am no utopian but I do believe we can do one hell of a lot better than we are doing right now. So bring on the Tsunami and start with Florida and Texas!