In a groundbreaking exploration of humanity’s impact on Earth, authors Sarah Gabbott and Jan Zalasiewicz introduce the concept of “technofossils” in their book titled “Discarded: How Technofossils Will Be Our Ultimate Legacy.” In other words, they are referring to these artifacts as the most enduring legacy of modern humans. This presents a distinct opportunity for future paleontologists to study the physical remains of our daily lives today.
Technofossils can be almost anything that complicates our present culture and way of life. Imagine polyester pullovers, QWERTY keyboards, saxophones, and cellphones, which Gabbott and Zalasiewicz refer to as “rectangles”. These littered items will provide some key information on human behavior. Yet they are a product of our age’s pervasive material abundance.
As our urban environments change, changes we make today may soon be fossilized in Earth’s geologic layers. Wind turbine blades provide an excellent case in point. Once they’re decommissioned, we saw them up into chunks and lay them side by side, recycling them into possible technofossils. This process illustrates how elements of contemporary infrastructure could provide clues about the society that created them thousands or even millions of years later.
Like future paleontologists, the authors recommend that we make technofossils an interesting mystery to solve. Through these fascinating artifacts, they will start to build the extraordinary story of human civilization. The trip from cast-off products to petrified mementos remains hazy at best. Geological processes could eventually expose these technofossils and return them to the surface.
In fact, the preservation of modern materials will inevitably add to pollution and environmental harm. Gabbott wants Americans to look critically at their consumption habits. Specifically, he asks them to think about whether they truly need that third pair of sunglasses. Such considerations are crucial for ensuring a sustainable future amid the growing awareness of the lasting impact of human activity.
The subterranean landscapes of our cities, such as this one in Amsterdam or New Orleans, might someday look like this cliffside in the Faroe Islands. These technofossils will be a record of our urban planning and engineering achievements. The pollution generated today could transform into marvels for future generations, encapsulating both the achievements and the consequences of human existence.
The science of technofossils is helping to uncover profound truths about the trajectory of human civilization. It informs our understanding of what visitors from beyond our planet are likely to discover about Earth’s geological history. Gabbott and Zalasiewicz’s work underscores the importance of understanding the long-term implications of material culture, as today’s products evolve into future fossils.
As Gabbott explains, the idea of technofossils brings an ethical weight to consumption and waste. The fossil record of modern humans represents a legacy of our choices, values, and lifestyles. This legacy will challenge future generations to think deeply about their interactions with the Earth.
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