There were two fundamental myths pervading American growth in the early 1800s: the Myth of Unlimited Natural Resources, and the Myth of Scientific/Technological Supremacy.

Myth of Unlimited Natural Resources: the forests, the bison, mineral resources are here forever, and we can never overconsume them. When we reached the shores of the Pacific Ocean, we got a rude wake-up call.

Myth of Scientific/Technological Supremacy: Science/technology can "fix" any problem Mankind encounters. Well, we invented DDT to eradicate the mosquitos that carry the malaria virus. The result? The loss of a generation of birds, with more mosquitos and more bugs because of many fewer birds.

I am not acquiescent in Man's ability to get along, because too many people use only their "reptilian brains" and not their limbic brains or neocortex. Unless we get rid of the crushing burden of the "reptilian brain," we will go the way of the dinosaurs.