Or how about this scenario: a giant asteroid is on an impact course with Earth. Without the invention of rockets, we have literally no way to stop it (and probably wouldn't even see it til it's too late), and the extinction of mankind is assured. Or, thanks to technology, we can spot it, waaaaay out there, realize the danger, and launch a rocket to redirect it away from us. The point is, there's an infinite "what if" scenarios out there, and it doesn't do much good to dwell on them in fear. edit: Also, without rockets, we wouldn't have cell phones, (How do you think the satellites got up there?) and likely tons of other modern technology that we typically take for granted.