I find the sheer age of the earth to be fascinating and unimaginable. Just trying to envision 3.5 billion years of time as well as the vastness of our galaxy, and then to visualize the galaxies beyond this one is mind-boggling. In the history of the earth's life our mankind has been a mere instant in time. Then, when I ponder this world's ancient mysteries like Stonehenge, Mayan and Inca history, prophets, or the Pyramids of Egypt and Mexico to name only a few, I am struck with the knowledge that there has been such ingenious human beings that have come and gone before us. This makes me comprehend our mortalilty as a species even more. It seems as though we are racing through this century devouring the earth's resources like never before. Perhaps we will use up this planet's possessions and then relocate to a different solar system, or we will evolve into a different kind of being altogether. It is compelleing to consider the possibilities, and makes me realize what a small part I play in the whole plan, but each one of us can change events in how they unfold daily. With a word or movement, at a precise time, we can alter the moment and the future. I wonder where we will go with dental x-rays. With the need for 3 dimensional anatomy for patient diagnosis, I can only speculate on the high-tech imaging systems that will be developed and eventually replace what we presently use. It is interesting to watch our field move into the future. What kind of profound things will we leave for future civilizations?