--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Human beings have been smart enough to…" description: "\"Human beings have been smart enough to turn nature to their ends, generate vast wealth for themselves, and double their average life span. But are they..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/thomas-homer-dixon-31705_21st-century_human-beings-have-been-smart-enough-to-t_2577951.png" --- # Human beings have been smart enough to turn nature to… ![“Human beings have been smart enough to turn nature to their ends, generate vast wealth for themselves, and double their average life span. But are they smart enough to solve the problems of the 21st century?” quote by Thomas Homer-Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/thomas-homer-dixon-31705_21st-century_human-beings-have-been-smart-enough-to-t_2577951.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/thomas-homer-dixon-31705_21st-century_human-beings-have-been-smart-enough-to-t_2577951.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/thomas-homer-dixon-31705_21st-century_human-beings-have-been-smart-enough-to-t_2577951.png) > “Human beings have been smart enough to turn nature to their ends, generate vast wealth for themselves, and double their average life span. But are they smart enough to solve the problems of the 21st century?” [Thomas Homer-Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-homer-dixon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human ingenuity created wealth and longer lives, yet may lack the wisdom for 21st‑century challenges. **In simple terms:** We've built much, but may not solve future problems. Key Takeaway Cultivate foresight and humility. Themes technology wealth longevity future challenges Mood thought‑provoking cautious Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - environmental planning - healthcare reform - education reform Key Concepts systems thinking ethical innovation Questions to Reflect On - Are we preparing future generations for upcoming crises? - What values should guide new innovations? A Different Perspective Complex problems need interdisciplinary solutions, not just tech. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Average life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average-life/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life span](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-span/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [In one century, we've added 28 years to our average life span - a change so rapid that our brains couldn't possibly have evolved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/in-one-century-we-ve-added-28-years-to-our-average-life-span-a-change/) [Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/) > [I had two family members involved in World War I: two great-uncles. 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I am the most influential person of this decade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashwani-kumar-ojha/human-race-is-all-over-universe-and-i-am-the-first-person-to-inform/) [Ashwani Kumar Ojha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashwani-kumar-ojha/) > [Like the railroads that brought us together in the 19th century, these trails will bring us together in the 20th and 21st centuries. (at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/like-the-railroads-that-brought-us-together-in-the-19th-century-these/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [What I love about making albums in the 21st century is that so few people buy albums! 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