把地球四十六亿年的历史压缩成一天，人类文明出现的时间，还不到最后一秒。
Compress Earth's 4.6-billion-year history into a single day, and the appearance of human civilization takes up less than the final second.
这一比喻常被用来提醒人们：从宇宙尺度看，我们的存在何其短暂。
This metaphor is often used to remind people: on a cosmic scale, our existence is how fleeting.
然而，正是这短暂的一瞬，人类发展出了改变自身命运的能力：从基因编辑到人工智能。
Yet it is precisely within this fleeting instant that humanity developed the ability to alter its own fate — from gene editing to artificial intelligence.
技术乐观者认为，只要科学不断进步，疾病、衰老甚至资源匮乏，终将被一一攻克。
Techno-optimists believe that as long as science keeps advancing, disease, aging, and even resource scarcity will eventually be conquered one by one.
但悲观者提醒我们，每一项强大的技术，既能造福人类，也能被用于毁灭。
But pessimists remind us that every powerful technology can both benefit humanity and be used toward destruction.
核能既能点亮万家灯火，也曾带来毁灭性的灾难，这正是技术双刃剑性质最直观的例证。
Nuclear energy can both light up the homes of ten thousand families and has once brought devastating disaster — this is the most direct illustration of technology's double-edged nature.
与其纠结于人类究竟会走向繁荣还是衰亡，不如把精力放在如何为技术设置约束上。
Rather than agonizing over whether humanity will ultimately head toward prosperity or decline, it is better to put our energy into how to set constraints on technology.
一个能够自我约束的文明，才有资格谈论长远的未来。
Only a civilization capable of restraining itself has earned the right to speak of a long-term future.
毕竟，决定人类能否延续下去的，从来不只是技术本身，而是我们运用技术的智慧。
After all, what determines whether humanity can carry on has never been technology itself alone, but the wisdom with which we wield it.
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Key words 生词
短暂duǎnzànbrief; fleeting
匮乏kuìfáscarcity; shortage
攻克gōngkèto conquer; overcome (a problem)
万家灯火wàn jiā dēnghuǒthe lights of ten thousand homes (idiom)
双刃剑shuāngrènjiàndouble-edged sword
纠结jiūjiéto be tangled up in; agonize over
Grammar note 语法点
既…，也…
Presents two things that hold true at once, often two opposing sides of one thing: 'both... and also...'. 例：这份工作既能锻炼能力，也能积累人脉。
核能既能点亮万家灯火，也曾带来毁灭性的灾难。 — Nuclear energy can both light up the homes of ten thousand families and has once brought devastating disaster.
与其…，不如…
Weighs two courses of action and recommends the latter: 'rather than A, it is better to B'. Often used to redirect a debate toward a more productive question. 例：与其猜测结果，不如动手去验证。
与其纠结于人类究竟会走向繁荣还是衰亡，不如把精力放在如何为技术设置约束上。 — Rather than agonizing over whether humanity will head toward prosperity or decline, it is better to focus on how to constrain technology.
…从来不只是…，而是…
Rejects a narrow, single-cause explanation in favor of a broader one: 'has never been merely A, but rather B'. Common in essays making a deeper, reflective point. 例：真正的成功从来不只是运气，而是长期积累的结果。
决定人类能否延续下去的，从来不只是技术本身，而是我们运用技术的智慧。 — What determines whether humanity can carry on has never been technology itself alone, but the wisdom with which we wield it.
Check yourself 小测验
1. In the compressed-day metaphor, how much of the day does human civilization occupy?
2. What example does the text give to illustrate technology's double-edged nature?
3. According to the text, what ultimately determines whether humanity can carry on?
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