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Some_Call_Me_Tim? wrote: Humanity is neither inherently good or evil. It is inherently self-interested, like any other species. We are no more good or evil than platypuses or cats.
~Tim?
P.S. okay, maybe we're better than cats.
P.P.S. that was a joke, Dakka. Don't kill me.
We may not be inherently evil, but as a sentient species, we do have some responsibilities. But that's why we're better than any other species on the planet!
No faith in humanity? The indefinite combination of human fallibility and nuclear weapons will lead to the destruction of nations. The problem will eventually self correct.
Chaos isn’t a pit. Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail, and never get to try again. The fall breaks them. And some are given a chance to climb, but refuse. They cling to the realm, or love, or the gods…illusions. Only the ladder is real. The climb is all there is, but they’ll never know this. Not until it’s too late.
schadenfreude wrote: No faith in humanity? The indefinite combination of human fallibility and nuclear weapons will lead to the destruction of nations. The problem will eventually self correct.
I'm glad humanity has an Auto-correct function, we'll feth up so much shiz if we ever develop interstellar travel (at the rate we're going).
I wouldn't go as far as saying humanity is on a downward slide, but I think a lot of it is relative in terms of what part of the world you live in.
If you live in the UK and are posting on this forum, the chances are that you have a pretty good existence compared to most of the earth's population. In basic terms you're not worrying about whether the next harvest is going to fail, or if that incoming storm is going to flatten your house, or if you're going to be collateral from a car bomb or fighting between government and rebel troops. I think it's important to view these things in context. Certainly, in terms of the time you have born (and 99.9% of human history), if you're living as anything approaching a middle class citizen then it's the equivalent of a lottery win.
That being said, I've travelled around a fair bit (I think 35 different countries in the past 15 years or so, at the last count), spent some years living and working abroad and therefore have been able to view some of the changes happening at home here in the UK and abroad. In most ways, I think things here are pretty much as normal; We can't hold our drink, and thanks to the rolling banks of thick grey cloud are probably some of the most miserable bunch of fethers of anywhere you are likely to visit! But, there are some things that seem to have changed for the worst, or certainly in my lifetime. Perhaps thanks to an overly lenient social support system which allows their existence, the growth of the underclass (chavs, scum, or whatever you want to call them) has been one of the things I've noticed on coming back to the UK. I miss being able to go out for some beers and not have some morlock with a tattooed neck drawling 'what the feth you looking at' on the way home! And despite what the official figures say, the employment situation is pretty terrible - you see a lot more suits in the job centre now alongside the stained tracksuit bottoms. It also seems that greed has become a bit more acceptable. Margaret Thatcher may have made it desirable, but at least politicians and senior business leaders used to resign if their hands were caught in the cookie jar. Now, the most the expenses 'scandal' seemed to elicit was a few "oh, naughty me!" with a playful grin and mocking slap on the wrist, and Hugh Grant's phone being tapped created more media coverage. So, that sort of thing I find sad..
So, I won't say that doomsday is upon us and to emigrate, but I think there is something to be said for countries and parts of the world being on a downward or upward slope. It's hard to describe exactly, and might sound really wooly and unbelievable, but there is something of an 'atmosphere' within a country, it's people that makes you feel one way or the other. I spent a lot of time in Slovakia and Hungary in the early noughties; they've got (or did have) one of the fastest growing economies in Europe, there was a wonderful feeling of post-communist emancipation and of growth within the country. So to in South Korea; again fast growing wealth spread well throughout different forms of economy. The average wage is higher, goods cost less, the taxes are lower. And Beijing in China; I would say to anyone, if it is humanly possible you owe it to yourself to try and visit that city if you can. I have never seen so many construction projects taking place, it's like an architects playground with the amount of ambitious building going on, and I think it's going to be viewed by history in the same way as the periods of the industrial revolution in Western Europe. In all of these cases, there is still the strong social bond and shared interest - I won't call it nationalism (although there are elements of that), but more of a feeling of shared community and moving forward together. I'm not sure if it's something that relates to different cultures, or something that we once had here in the UK (and have lost in the changes brought by industrialism and the nucleated family) but it is something that I would definitely say exists. It's an intangible though I suppose, and I'm not sure if it entirely comes down to the growth (or contraction) of the economy.
Anyway! Tl;DR - I would have a travel around as you are able. Yes some of the problems you have might be due to your own introspective, but some of it might not be. There are a lot of different countries and cultures out there. A lot of which don't have as many problems (although they will have their own), and you might find a better fit.
Human beings can do some pretty awesome things too. This video always restores my faith in humanity.
These Jr. High school students freaking ROCK Tool's 46 and 2. And the little girl that sings, nails it in a way that Maynard wouldn't have ever guessed at. They couldn't be Maynard so why try? These kids are super talented and are using it. This gives me faith in the next generation. And the drummer and bassist are beasts!
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/12/15 11:23:51
Also, check out my history blog: Minimum Wage Historian, a fun place to check out history that often falls between the couch cushions.
Humanity is really falling apart. I don't wear my fedora and loafers when I say this. It really is falling apart before our eyes, but everything is so outlandish and ridiculous that we don't believe what's going on around us, and are too overwhelmed to even conceive solutions to problems we can't identify.
People are becoming very, very unsocial, constantly aided by anonymity, aliases and the lack of social consequences from their behavior. There are many, including people from my generation, who have no idea how to communicate in meaningful ways with others in person.
I think the current situation today around the world, is the direct result of the shift of power from governments and or the people to huge muliti billion global companies and also the rise of security agencies that goes above that law of a nation..and all international laws to get what they want no matter to what expense.
From each according to his ability, to each according to his need
SneakyMek wrote: I think the current situation today around the world, is the direct result of the shift of power from governments and or the people to huge muliti billion global companies and also the rise of security agencies that goes above that law of a nation..and all international laws to get what they want no matter to what expense.
"Tax cuts for the rich! Tax cuts for the rich!" - Governments.
WarAngel wrote: Watched the People's Choice Awards last night and some winners shook my faith in Humanity.
I mean seriously, Britney Spears winning anything!?
People's Choice awards? More like internet trolls choice awards (seriously).
He Who Controls The Dice Controls The Universe 