In Retrospect

In the short run, the Lemming is pretty sure that humans will keep acting the way they have for the last few centuries: making mistakes, occasionally learning from their mistakes, and wondering what's over the horizon.

In the longer run, the Lemming is pretty sure that humans will keep acting the way they have for the last few millennia: doing pretty much the same things, for pretty much the same reasons.

In the still-longer run — let's be realistic. This lot is descended from folks who have kept leaving their homeland: crossing most of another continent the first time. Earth has gone around its star some 1,900,000 times since then, give or take.

They've settled everywhere except on the planet's ice caps and in its ocean by now. That's settled. They've checked out just about every spot on the planet, and have more-or-less-permanent bases on its icecaps, ocean, and one in orbit.

The locals still can't seem to sit still for more than a few generations.

The Lemming doesn't think that's going to change. It a way, it's one of humanity's more intriguing qualities.

More of the Lemming, looking back at futures:

• "Training Opportunities"
  (March 11, 2016)
• "As Advertised"
  (February 26, 2016)
• "Double Planets Possible"
  (November 28, 2014)
• "From the Mind of the Lemming: Night Flight"
  (September 26, 2014)
• "From the Mind of the Lemming: Morning in the City"
  (August 29, 2014)