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12-16-2002, 05:55 AM | #1 |
Vampire
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Poll + debate: The motion I am putting forward is that: "Technology can never destroy humanity except in science fiction novels born out of fear and ignorance. It is the lack of technology that presents us with a real danger. A danger of helplessness and a lack of understanding. The fear of technological misuse can not be justified both historically nor theoretically. The mathematical benefits of having defensive capability for mankind far out weighs the irrational fears for abuse of such advancements."
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12-16-2002, 05:59 AM | #2 |
Apophis
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Yes the undecided option was nice to have. Technology can never destroy hmunaity? Did you consider nuclear war? Or do you simply mean man against machines? I really don´t see why lack of technology would destroy humanity? I must say humans did fairly well 300 years ago. And I think I manage quite well without a robot cleaning my house. [img]smile.gif[/img] (Yes I´m very sure I misunderstood something )
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12-16-2002, 06:51 AM | #3 | |
Vampire
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Has Nuclear war happened?? Although there was a great deal of armament, I think it's all hype. We are all human in the end, and there are mad ones amongst us, but i really don't think mad enough to kill everyone on this planet. Hmmm... that's the problem. Many are too content with the seconds and hours of their lives. As long as nothing bad happens in the next few days, nothing bad will ever happen. Or until the TV tells you that a huge asteroid will hit us, or there is a 300m high tidal wave coming over, or your garden is in fact a super volcano. But no, that won't happen will it? No, it will never happen to you. And if it does, good old technology saves your butt (like a helicopter), and you just say: Pfew! That was close. Think about it...
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<b>ʆë®Ñï†Ý \'s Avariel<br /></b><br />Creator and Mithril Protector of the ALSB Clan <br /> [img]\"http://www.wizardrealm.com/images/avatar.gif\" alt=\" - \" /> |
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12-16-2002, 07:09 AM | #4 | |
Apophis
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12-16-2002, 07:20 AM | #5 |
20th Level Warrior
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I had to go with undecided as well.
While some technologies are wonderful and helpful, no technological advancement is perfect. Even early warning systems for tornados are still unable to accurately predict one. You are still left to chance. And 'predicting' earthquakes doesn't seem to have saved many lives this year. Even weather predictions are educated guesses at best. And even when you can predict an earthquake or a volcano, short of evacuating people, you can't stop it from happening and destroying homes and wildlife, etc. And to play devil's advocate: perhaps if we didn't have such technological advances in medicine, we wouldn't have such an overpopulation problem. I know I'll get beaten for that one, but it's like we are 'cheating' natural selection and survival of the fittest. I don't want anyone to die, especially not the horrible ways people used to die before medicine. But from an ecological and economic POV, we are overburdening this planet and no amount of technology is ever going to be able to keep up with our burgeoning population. And people still die horrible deaths today. What has technology provided that has truly been an altruistic and perfect solution to any problem? [ 12-16-2002, 07:24 AM: Message edited by: DragonMage ]
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12-16-2002, 07:25 AM | #6 | |
Elminster
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Look at all the life on earth, do you see it using technology? It has survived on this planet for billions of years, through cataclysmic events (an asteroid strike that wiped at the dinosaurs for one). Technology is not a necessity for survival, it is a tool that has helped humanity thrive. The likely hood of humans being wiped out through natural cause is very very remote (we have survived through the black plague with very limited technology is an example of survival). Technology should not forge ahead at the cost of society for some far off dream of a happier world. People of the world today arent happier than 180 years ago with more advanced technology. Many people are not better off - 100s of millions of people still live in poverty. What makes you believe that will change with technological advances? [ 12-16-2002, 07:28 AM: Message edited by: dragon_lord ]
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12-16-2002, 07:27 AM | #7 | |
Apophis
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Avatar I still don´t understand the technology can never destroy humanity argument. Are you talking about man vs. machine? You mentioned sci-fi movies... [img]smile.gif[/img] I would like to submit that nature can destroy humanity. But then we´re straying off topic. [ 12-16-2002, 07:29 AM: Message edited by: WillowIX ] |
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12-16-2002, 07:36 AM | #8 | |
Symbol of Cyric
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The problems you mention are social problems, and aren't determined by technology. Ireland had rebellion towards England before nuclear weapons, arab terrorists have been around for centuries before explosives were invented. (It's a little known fact that arab terrorists have been a problem with the us since the early 1900's) Most of the places you mention that have a starving population are a)military dictatorships that use food to control the people, or b)other forms of religious/political philosophy that believe that foreign ways are in some way evil or corrupting and refuse to let them into their sphere of influence. (eg, chinese or russian communism - changing though) Hell, canadians are famous for sending food to certain african nations, and the food sits on the loading docks 'til it rots because "it might contain weapons". [ 12-16-2002, 07:38 AM: Message edited by: Sir Krustin ]
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12-16-2002, 07:42 AM | #9 | |
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12-16-2002, 07:45 AM | #10 | |
Apophis
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