© 2017  Kevin Morin (kmorin@mdag.com)

The history of social development is the story of mankind's expansion, specialization, and associated conquest of the natural environment from which life itself evolved. From John Locke's concept of a Social Contract to Marx's observations on Alienated Labor, we see the human race ignoring its relationship to the natural environment, leading to unconcerned destruction and pollution of the environment. In fact, all current theoretical and practical forms of social structure lead to environmental destruction.

In order to understand the cause of this disregard for the environment, a brief examination of the science of sociology is warranted. Sociology has its scientific roots in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries when people saw that mathematics and sciences such as physics could explain much of the Universe around them. It seemed only logical that a human society should also be defined in the cold unemotional light of mathematics and physics. There also arose opposing emotional theories to explain social actions. For example, there is little consensus among sociologists on whether a society evolves through organized, planned efforts or through conflict and revolution. The conflict theories of Karl Marx are most noteworthy because of their influence on the political climate of the twentieth century until communistic countries moved towards capitalism late in that century.

It is interesting to note that, despite the differences, all of these theories ignored one central detail, that is, the societal and individual interactions with the surrounding natural environment. The theories implicitly assume that society in no way depends on or interacts with the natural environment. Not surprisingly, some sociologists such as John Locke in the seventeenth century actually stated that the human race consciously opted out of the Law of Nature in order to formulate its own rules.

The ignorance of the environment even goes beyond sociological theory into the everyday operation of society. Both capitalistic and socialistic societies today struggle to control and clean up pollution so that the health of their citizens is not seriously degraded. This environmental debasement found in all types of societies highlights our lack of proper guidelines for social advancement.

The accelerated rate of technological advancement since Locke's time clearly demonstrates that our race can dominate and pollute the environment, and yet we continue to ignore the looming disaster. All of our raw materials for manufacturing and survival are drawn from agricultural and mining activities or, in other words, from that portion of the natural environment that we have not yet destroyed. It is a simple observation that the greater the extent of environmental destruction, the less environment that is left to provide our raw materials.

A more successful social structure can be built by recognizing first and foremost our primary dependence on the nurturing environment. Acceptable human interaction with the environment must, at all costs, supersede what is commonly called human "advancement" and "progress". This does not mean that there can be no human impact on the environment, for every organism has an impact on and is impacted by its environment. However, the extreme impact that our race has created must be quickly tempered and regulated.

The society of mankind has two choices. First, place environmental protection above everything else, including human life. Second, lament the destruction and commit genocide. For centuries, our society has unconsciously chosen the second alternative. We are running out of time to change our minds and save our race and planet.

"Good Morning, James A. Harbison and Associates, Consulting Astrosociologists. Karrin speaking.  Can I help you?"

"Good morning. This is the Department of Off-Planet Societies of the Ministry of Social Services. We have a Priority A communique for Dr. Harbison. Is he in, please?"

"No, I'm sorry. He is presenting a keynote address today to a conference on off-planet societies. May I take a message?"

"Please prepare your laser facsimile for confirmed reception of a Priority A directive."

It is not that Jim Harbison particularly disliked academic meetings with his peers and business competitors, but he realized that his presence was necessary to maintain his high-profile reputation. He knew that many of his colleagues did not attend these meetings to hear academic discussions. No, that would be too noble of them. They were simply trying to learn proprietary techniques and to discover the names of active industrial clients. He learned early that business was warfare and he was now good at it.

In the last few years, the coordinated creation of manufacturing facilities on settled planets had become a highly lucrative business. The money attracted unscrupulous people and charlatans whose posed as astrosociologists. The charlatans got away with their deception because of the lack of government control and the ignorance of industry on the proper qualifications needed for the work. He had no idea on how to educate industry on the matter without giving away secrets and he faithfully concealed details of his business. But, as long as his business was profitable, he really didn't care much.

The process of introducing a manufacturing facility on a planet was very complex. The Environmental Impact Assessment focussed on the facility's compatibility with the off-planet society and the planetary environment. He carefully guarded his combination of streamlined astrosociological procedures, which addressed in a step-wise manner the unique quirks found in each off-planet society, the unique quirks of each planet's environment, the interaction of the society and its environment, and the impact of the proposed facility on the entire planet. Such studies were expensive and profitable, but the costs were actually dwarfed by the potential profits of a manufacturing facility.

Another facet of his services, overlooked by many competitors, was the government contacts that were critical for completing the necessary government permits. These permits legally substantiated a particular industry's compatibility with an off-planet society and granted permission to build and operate on a planet. His business had proved remarkably successful so far and was bringing in a phenomenal amount of money. It was difficult, but he carefully maintained his guard at all times so that he would not inadvertently mention valuable information to a competitor. To him, this was good business sense.  To others, he was considered rude and egotistical.

"Jim Harbison! It's good to see you. How have you been?"

"John Tins! How is Tins and Associates?"

"Up until about a year ago, just fine. Then the Federated Government took me out of circulation for six months. I received a directive to examine a rediscovered society in the Antares system. I swear it is like being drafted into the armed forces. They simply say 'GO!' and you have to go. And the fee rate is one-half of what I normally charge. So now I'm on the edge of bankruptcy. The only two consolations are that I got a well-received publication out of the survey and that I won't be called again for a few years as you other consultants take your turns. So how is Harbison and Associates?"

"Business has been great. I have been working over seventy hours a week just so that I don't fall too far behind on the work."

"Haven't clients been complaining about delays?"

"The usual complaints are coming in. As long as I don't aggravate them too much, they remain basically satisfied. My recent publication in the Journal of Astrosociology has increased my reputation so that most clients are rather patient with delays. However, I see problems ahead because my turn for surveying a lost off-planet society should be coming up shortly."

"I wish you the best, Jim. Oh, there's your introduction - they are ready for your speech. Good luck."

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Today I will present to you a brief synopsis on the events leading to my beloved profession of astrosociology.

"The word 'environment' is rich in meaning and connotation. For example, it signifies the natural beauty around us and it may even refer to the architectural design and air quality within a building.

"Towards the end of the twentieth century, the environment became a political rallying call to address the adverse impacts that human activity was inflicting upon the earth. The unacceptable impacts included pollution of the land surface with garbage and other wastes, pollution of the air with industrial gases, and pollution of water on and beneath the surface. As with all political movements, fringe groups arose, advocating radical solutions to pollution.

"The leader of one such group was Simon Arbellum. This charismatic personality pressed his ideas and concepts regarding the environment forcefully and clearly so that his fringe movement quickly grew in size and popularity. The guiding principles of the movement are contained in Arbellum's now-famous text, Environmental Sociology, published in 2016. Arbellum's philosophy was based on the central concept that the needs of the human race are subservient to the maintenance of the planetary environment, because we are just one facet of an intricate ecosystem.

"As Arbellum's philosophy gained wider acceptance, the inevitable arguments arose with the established system of human-centered actions and capitalistic goals, leading to the social and political anarchy of the Dark Decades throughout the middle of the twenty-first century.

"In spite of the anarchy, the physical sciences continued on their single-minded path of discovery and invention for the sake of invention and discovery. At that time, the revolutionary discovery of rapid, simple space travel to other planets and solar systems was made, which we now see as a mixed blessing. The discovery allowed ethnic and political groups, many infected with anarchy and some variation of Arbellum's philosophy, to scatter across this section of the galaxy.

"The decades-long global revolution finally led to a negotiated compromise between human advancement and environmental protection, but at the cost of lost contact with the off-planet settlements. As we rebuild our social and political structures, we are now venturing out to the 'lost' societies. The study of the evolution of each society and its interaction with its unique planetary environment is now called 'astrosociology', the focus of this meeting today.

"In closing, I hereby dedicate this meeting to the astrosociologists who were killed during surveys of off-planet societies which had degraded to savagery or insanity.  Please enjoy the following presentations"

"Welcome back, Jim. How was the keynote address?"

"It went well. Two companies approached me afterwards. I quickly signed a standard contract with one and wrestled great concessions from the other before signing. I'll give you the papers in a minute to open the accounts."

"Here's something I bet you want to see, a Priority A communique from the Federated Government."

"Damn it, Karrin. This directive says I have to leave next week on a government freighter heading for the Vega system. Another rediscovered society out there. That should be at least a six-month job, not including the one month of travel time each way. I'll be out of circulation, probably lose at least half my clients, and be bored stiff most of the time."

"That's okay, Jim. I'll faithfully sit here and answer the phone whenever it rings, as long as you pay me full salary plus loneliness pay."

This should be interesting, Jim thought, on his way home. His girlfriend, Yolannah, satisfied his sexual urges and was a good companion for an evening, but neither of them ever broached the subject of love, not even the colder aspects of emotional dependencies. She was a few years younger than him, in her late 20's, remarkably elegant and relaxed for her years. He was certainly flattered by the glances that other men directed at her when he took her out. But it was her sponteneity and irreverance during private moments that kept him interested. He frequently wondered how much she really cared for him, and this was his chance to find out. He suspected that she was in fact quite dependent on him but was too afraid to admit it. The announcement of the Vega trip will trip her up and possibly reveal her true feelings.

"Good Evening, Yo!"

"Hi yourself, sweetheart! It's been about a week since I've seen you."

"Preparation for the conference, remember?"

"That's right! How did it go?"

"Fine. Good publicity, and more business."

"That's my James!"

"Actually, there is something important I want to tell you about. I'm leaving Earth."

"No you're not, your business is here and you wouldn't abandon that."

"I'm serious, unfortunately. I have no choice. My turn has come up for an Off-Planet Assessment and I have been order to leave in a few days... for the Vega System."

"That's a long way. You'll be gone for several months!"

"Closer to a year."

"That's sad: you'll be bored to tears during the voyage, and probably during the Assessment also. We'll miss you here on Earth. Here's a toast to your new adventure."

"I'll miss you, Yolannah. I can already feel the emptiness."

"There were be women on Vega to take care of you. And I'll be awaiting your return."

In the remaining days before the flight, James Harbison the Consultant contacted his clients and explained. Most were not pleased with the inevitable delay and some had in fact cancelled contracts. He was not used to such behavior and was too embarassed to tell anyone. But the effects carried over to James Harbison the Person who had misgivings and ambiguous fears of the trip. He attempted rationalization, explaining to himself that it was just the disruption of his normal schedule that caused these forebodings. Once in a while, the rationalization helped.