The further one looks out into the space, the further to the past you see. Any adult with even a bit of knowledge should know this. We can see how our universe was during it's feet first millions of years if we look far enough. The problem is that the universe is expanding exponentially. If our technology can't advance fast enough, we may lose out on the currently unknown events. Events which most likely will help us go to even further as a species. Humans are smart, but only if we can single mindedly focus on a unbelievably grand goal. Sadly we are humans, a species so unbelievably stupid.