Alien: “Okay. So, just to clarify, you’re telling me that you humans already know what the major problems are? That you’re already aware of the peril that your reckless behavior is causing, not only for you, but for your planet?”
Human: “Right. Global warming. Nuclear bombs. Bioweapons. Mass extinction of other species. Lots of problems.”
Alien: “And, in addition, you have clearly identified the solutions?”
Human: “Bingo.”
Alien: “Yet, despite this knowledge, you’re currently struggling to implement those solutions?”
Human: “Right again!”
Alien: “Then your intellect is not the obstacle here. You already know what the problems are. You know what the solutions are. So, it must be something else which is holding you back.”
Human: “Well, we haven't given up yet. We’re still working on implementing the solutions. The key is to reason our way through these problems. As people become more educated, our chances of success will improve. Progress is in sight.”
Alien: “What does education have to do with it? You’ve already admitted that your intellect is not the obstacle. You’ve already identified the problems and their solutions. And as far as progress being in sight, the only progress I can see is in the rear view mirror of the clown car you’re driving. You need to turn around, human. You're heading in the wrong direction.