Moments ago I was standing on a bluff overlooking Cape Cod Bay. The wind was blowing the rain sideways and the waves were crashing over the huge rocks of the breakwater. It was not difficult to believe that the world was coming to an end. However, there have been storms coming in from the ocean for millions of years. Earth will continue to orbit our sun for a few more billion years.

I am much less convinced that our species will survive intact much longer. What I have learned over my 77 years, 50 of them as a very busy practicing psychologist, is that our species is flawed and limited. We tend to grasp quickly for short-term, self-satisfying, simple solutions. Under pressure, most humans abandon long-term planning. When we get anxious or angry we rush away from caring and cooperation and trust.

It is not surprising that many people are now believing (hoping?), that the world may come to an end. Going to heaven would certainly solve everyone’s problems. Except…