I read a really good webcomic here about the BP oil spill. In the comments section, it became something of an argument about the difficulty of fixing a problem in space compared to fixing a problem under a mile of water. I wrote this in reply, but when I was done decided it would be better as a post here. This is the first time I've written anything about my feelings on the BP Oil Spill.

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The question isn't "Is it harder to fix a pipe underwater than in space?"

The question is, "If they can't fix a problem under a mile of water, why are they messing around down there?"

The BP oil spill shines a light on the ravenous arrogance of the human being, especially the modern human. We rush headlong into situations and environments about which we know nothing. The consequences don't matter. It doesn't matter that something might go wrong, and we have no idea what to do then. All that matters is, "I have a dream!" or "I can make a buck!"

If humanity were capable of learning from it's mistakes, this would be a wake-up call. But it won't be. It's not like this is the first time something horribly tragic has resulted from human greed or arrogance. From Manifest Destiny to the atomic bomb to the BP oil spill and beyond, humanity will always just rush headlong into things to see if it can.