Thanks, Krazed for these posts. Your outline of us as a species and where we are headed seems accurate to me.

I dont want to derail this thread too much but wanted to share a relevant dream of my own I had about a year ago:

I met up with the GOD of the bible. He was a very old ET. Many thousands of years old. That is why he is called the "Ancient of days."
[link to en.wikipedia.org (secure)] He is more humanoid in appearance (though not earth human and not exactly looking earth human-like) and him and his species seeded human life here on earth. He is very powerful and intelligent but not omnipotent and not responsible for this universe. I get the sense that there is no such thing as an all-powerful god. He was mistaken for all-powerful to earlier humans, due to his abilities and knowledge. (Due to living so long in one lifetime.)

He explained to me that it is the destiny of earth humans to struggle and not have a paradise existence. Atleast not for quite a while still. The reason is that struggle allows our species to grow in understanding. It also helps lead to further innovations and various psychic abilities-> over much time. In other words, constant struggle is helping humans evolve to become a powerful species.