Substances

Text, translated from Braille:

 Our planet has numerous substances we have exploited to great benefit, however, with grave consequences. Here I have chosen nine to address: blood (aids, ethnic cleansing); salt (chemicals, oceans); gold (currency, mining); air (environmental degradation); soil (contamination, ownership); DNA (cloning, overpopulation); corn (bio-fuels, food); oil (energy, fertilizer); and water (access, supply). Commodities, resources, and ideas move easily and rapidly across national boundaries. Can we evolve the social intelligence to better balance our technological intelligence?  How much longer can we continue to use our planet’s resources without dire ramifications? Our deep history as makers on this planet is one we honor, but what are we choosing to be making today?