Why is it that when this subject comes up, people by default assume that "man must survive as a species?". The dinosaurs didn't and I think it made earth a better place to live :). Maybe if we (humans) go extinct, life will flourish like never before on planet earth. I suppose it is some sort of survival instinct to think that "we must survive!", but we're such a small piece of the universe that I think no one will notice if we just disappear :)

... and why this is "news for nerds, stuff that matters" is beyond me. Slashdot, news for ners, stuff that matters AND Google Google Google