The world is pretty sucky these days

[Timber Loftis]

Sure, I'll agree the world is a better place with the nuisance of the flu shot than in the days of the Black Death. People live longer now, for one thing, a clear indicator. But, I'm not about to break my arm patting myself or the human race on its back just because we have progressed as expected.

I think the positive changes that better the world have slowed down - and I think they had their heyday from 1890-1970, up to and including the discovery of the computer chip, transistor, and environmentalism.

But, the flip side is that in the past century, and now, we are at a unique moment in history in that there are certain problems we are aware of that could end our very existence by our own hands. The Black Death swept through Europe like mad, but a nuclear war has the chance to kill us all. And, with the new generation of smaller nations scrambling to get the bombs built (so they will finally get the respect that having the bomb inarguably brings), we could be tettering on another cold-war type situation.

Add to that what the broiling new crusade between Christians and Muslims could do in a world that's so intermingled and you *could* have a recipe for some very harsh times ahead.

So, maybe every moment of daily life is not nearly as bad as it was - and I agree on this. But, the possibile magnitude of mistakes we now face is much greater.

IMHO.

So....what you are saying....is....you aren't satisfied [img]smile.gif[/img] reminds me of my kid when he was 5 and I gave him one scoop of icecream

Seriously, I think your worry about nuclear aramgeddon is, misplaced. At worst I think the most that will ever happen is a couple of countries will exchange a couple of nukes. Oh there might be a terrorist incident or two as well, but I think that once an entire country gets glassed over due to the radical acts of its idiot nuke holders...things will cool off directly.

I think if you look world wide that more people are surviving each and every day with a progressivly better and better quality of life (yeah I know it sucks in some parts but it is getting better over all)we havent done so bad. Maybe things have slowed down a bit in the last decade or two but, nothing ever keeps trucking at the same pace forever. We might actually just be at a historic pause for breath before we take the next big plunge and advance some more.....or you could be a worry wart and say we are ast the point where we will take the plunge and reach new depths [img]smile.gif[/img]

Can you show me a sentient species that has done better than Homosapiens? Last time I looked, we are still top o the ladder

Edit: I think in an all out struggle between muslims and everyone else (read as infidels)you would see that the rest of the world has the power to wipe the muslim faith off the face of the planet. Note I suggest this as an "all out scenario" as in there were no compromise left. In the end the western nations have a HUGE firepower advantage over the muslim nations and if it comes down to a matter of survival, I think it would be a fairly easy choice for the western leaders to choose us (Us being all non-muslim infidels) over them. You might note that middle eastern nations are struggleing to put together a few fission type devices...compared to fusion type H bombs its no contest.

[ 12-30-2002, 02:02 PM: Message edited by: MagiK ]

[Timber Loftis]

MagiK, I think we have a difference of character on this topic. While I'm not a nuclear war worrywart (and boy do I remember the REAL fear of nukes when I was a kid), I do recognize the fact that it is a means whereby we could end our entire existence - something mankind has heretofore not dealt with.

But, the character difference is in the worrying. I see virtue in never being satisfied with what you've done or where you are. Sure, realizing your accomplishments and where you are and from whence you've come is all very good - and I do it in my personal life all the time. But, for me the virtue is always striving to do more better faster. That's why I'm, in your analogy, like the kid with the ice cream who only wants MoreMoreMore. I say that's somewhat untrue - I want more but I'm willing to work my ass off for it.

I'm not saying one way is better or not - I'm simply saying "hell yeah" to the notion that I'll never be satisfied.

Cheers. [img]graemlins/cheers.gif[/img]

And I agree with you TL [img]smile.gif[/img] I think we are just using different time scales [img]smile.gif[/img] I think we can afford to take a decade or two to gather our collective breath (no Im not turning socialist, it is just an expression). Things have advanced so rapidly (technology) in the last couple of decades that we haven't been able to assimilate all the ramifications yet. Given some reflecting time..Im sure we will continue to improve things....or at least that is my hope. And like you, I am willing to work my butt off....funny you would think people would want to work off their guts...not their butts.....