In Plato's account of Atlantis, he tells of a moment that should chill any modern reader. Their most advanced scientists had harnessed a mysterious form of energy. They believed it would cement their place as the supreme civilization. The very next passage describes their downfall. Fact or metaphor, Plato's warning haunts our civilization as we celebrate our mastery of nuclear power, AI, and genetic engineering.

Like the Atlanteans in their final days, we strut about with our smartphones and space rockets. We congratulate ourselves on being the universe's greatest achievement. We beam signals into space. We hope to impress other civilizations with our intelligence, like a toddler proudly showing off their crayon scribbles.