There was a time when I was convinced I had it figured out, but after further evaluation (20 years of pondering the thought) I've come to a different conclusion that is wide open to speculation.

The theory behind existence is basically being, whether animate or inanimate. So obviously we exist because at this totally insignificant point in time in the known universe we're here right now and we're conscious of being. At least most of us are... So we know we exist but is their a purpose, a proverbial method to all the insane psychotic madness of being? My theory WAS as follows:

We're living creatures with the ability to procreate. We have the natural ability to continue on this planet as long as the planet exists. Therin lies the problem with the theory that we exist to procreate and thrive as a species. We're only as good as our environment allows us to be, and as of late that has become a more difficult quest. It's important to note that we've only been keeping historical records of our planet's geology and meteorology since way back when we discovered the ability to communicate. In the lifecycle of this planet that period of time is a grain of sand dropped into all the oceans and seas put together. Our mother earth is very much alive and kicking, but how long can she sustain us a race?

Now that mankind has nearly mastered the scientifically proven art of reproduction, we're determined to destroy ourselves through no fault other than our own. I honestly don't believe that it's on purpose either. Through our colossal desire to progress and reproduce, we've discovered that there are limits of sustainability which have been pushed way too far.

Water became gold as soon as companies figured out that our supply is limited and dwindling. They've taken over the market, and we're now accustomed to paying for a resource that when I was a child was limitless and free. The ignorance of youth...

Our planet needs trees and plants to breathe. We're hell-bent on chopping them down and burning them to ash so we have a place to park our vehicles, large and small. Our towns and cities grow and spread like a cancerous tumor consuming everything in site. I didn't need Morpheus from The Matrix to discover that either, but he did an excellent job of telling the truth on that part. We chop it down, we bulldoze it, we suffocate the earth with concrete wood and stone and then we move on. Our planet can't possibly sustain that kind of behavior for long. We've created mega-cities by joining nearby towns and smaller cities through massive lines of transportation, and there's seems to be no end as long as we continue to procreate and thrive. Lately thriving has become somewhat of a quest for some of us.

Our planet's weather patterns are changing, whether through our own doing or not. Earlier I mentioned that we've only been keeping seriously detailed records for the past few decades. We've been keeping some vague account of the planet's activity for hundreds of thousands of years, but it's nowhere near the science we have today. We know there have been earthquakes, droughts and volcanos which have completely wiped out civilizations. Meteorological and geographical events on a scale much larger than anything we've experienced lately. These are recorded facts, some of which have to be put together over time like discovering the French Revolution was a result of a weather phenomenon called El Niño. That's right, it was because of famine which was a direct result of a massive drought which was a direct result of a particularly potent El Niño at that time. Crops wouldn't grow, things dried up, people got hungry. If people get hungry they get tense and then angry and before long you have a pissed off mob ready to do some damage be it physical or political.

We know our planet is alive and what it is capable of doing to us. Are we guilty of forcing it into a premature state of revenge on our lives? Possibly. We spread across the globe like a cancer leaving pollution, disease and death in our wake. We slaughter each other with wars and the toll on the environment is usually heavy. The discovery of nuclear fusion was probably the scariest moment of all in our existence, and one that still looms over our heads daily. The bad guys want the nukes to take care of their regional problems. The good guys want nukes to provide power for their mansions. Neither is a good choice. Dropping a nuclear bomb devastates the environment, and the threat of a nuclear meltdown is nothing less than terrifying. For anyone who thinks nuclear fusion is a safe, clean alternative check out Chernobyl at Wikipedia.

So at this point in my life I seriously doubt that we exist to procreate. It's not working for the Chinese or India. Too many people means an overburden on a system of natural resources rendering life unsustainable. Mother Nature will do her part with a few massive geological events like earthquakes, volcanos and tsunamis which will rid areas of the human parasite, but I just think it's going to be too little, too late.

Until mankind figures out a way to stop abusing the planet we're doomed as a race. Some may argue that there are enlightened individuals (like myself of course) who are only interested in the betterment of mankind and our planet. NASA is looking for water on Mars. Scientists are looking for alternative sources for fuels. There is activity and a consciousness about our environment, but unfortunately there aren't enough people who actually give a shit to make any difference.

What happens when we find water on Mars? The countries rich enough to afford space exploration will benefit and the rest will be left in the dust of a decaying planet. If and when we eventually start terraforming other planets (assuming we live long enough to get that far) we'll end up doing the same thing everywhere else we tread foot. Level, build, expand.

I'm not so sure the reason we exist is to procreate. The ones that should be aren't and the ones who have no business creating anything are...