Is the World worth it?

[The Borg Queen]

When you look at the state of today's culture, a society that cares more about profits, commercialisation and litigation where nobody has to take responsibility if they can blame someone else, or where making money is more important that actually providing real results and making a proper difference, is this world really worth anything at all?

Why is this the nature of the world we live in, and why would anyone choose to live in such a world?

I think you have an idealistic personality. You perceive flaws much more easily than you perceive merits; and 10 flaws will always outweigh 10 merits. You can imagine society being more ideal. You may imagine political interactions and role plays with ideal outcomes, and wonder why society isn't like that, because it seems so simple in your imagination.

I feel that your dissatisfaction with life is due to the fact, that in your view of the world, there are many flaws your see and hear in the news everyday, while human merits are seldom seen, so it is rare that you feel proud of humanity.

I think that you need to find a channel of expression for your idealism. Don't focus on the bigger picture so much. Focus on yourself, because that is the principal domain of anybodies mind.

What I mean is, if you have ideals, then become your own ideals. Consider ways of adapting your own behaviour to become more compatible with your own idealism. Then you will be able to feel greater pride in yourself, and you can consider yourself to be an example for others to follow. That could become your new attitude to life: not a moral guardian, but a moral example.

If others are able to see and feel the light you show them, they may choose to walk with you.

Here's a smiley face to get you started --->

 

[RJDiogenes]

Here's a smiley face to get you started --->

Heh. Nice touch.

 

[RandyS]

So all those people who are being negative and think everyone should die...


... I gather you mean, except you?

It's always the good ones that die young.

Not me. I plan to be the first person to live to be 300. Providing my body will allow it that is.

 

[iguana_tonante]

It's always the good ones that die young.

In that case, I will die a wizened old man. Rejoice!

 

[PKTrekGirl]

The physical planet, I'm good with.

It's all the human beings on it that make it not worth saving. People are greedy, self-serving, jerks for the most part. These day's you are considered virtuous if you haven't killed someone. That is how low the threshold for 'goodness' has been lowered. Certainly, stealing, cheating, robbing and looting are okay...as long as they are done by guys in suits rather than kids with the wrong color skin and dreadlocks.

And certainly, taking unfair advantage of others is okay...as long as you are wealthy and your victims are poor or otherwise disenfranchised.

Yeah....the rich and white have managed to rationalize themselves into sainthood, despite their exploitation of...well...pretty much everyone else.

Just ask any of those Enron guys.

 

[RandyS]

^As a white guy who has never set out to hurt anybody (but been repeatedly shit on by his fellow whites), I'll try not to take offense.

 

[Australis]

^ What he said, in spades.

PKTG, that's pretty harsh. As I said in my earlier post, I've always tried to be a better person each day, and I think a fair few in here (not so much TNZ) do. I think the more we strive to get people to see that it's better to be a good person than a bad one can only good for us all in the long run.

I had more to say, but was suddenly overwhelmed by the negativity.

You can't tell me those principles are the ones you live by. Seriously.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Hey, I'm White and I'm the best person I've ever met. Just sayin.'

 

[Locutus of Bored]

These day's you are considered virtuous if you haven't killed someone. That is how low the threshold for 'goodness' has been lowered. Certainly, stealing, cheating, robbing and looting are okay...as long as they are done by guys in suits rather than kids with the wrong color skin and dreadlocks.

Maybe you should hang around with better people and be less cynical rather than assuming the rest of the world sets the bar so low as a measure of 'goodness.'

I don't know anyone in my life of any background who considers not having killed someone as the baseline measure for leading a good life, or who considers those other crimes to be "okay," regardless of what color or status the person who commits them is.

Hey, I'm White and I'm the best person I've ever met. Just sayin.'

 

[The Borg Queen]

These day's you are considered virtuous if you haven't killed someone. That is how low the threshold for 'goodness' has been lowered. Certainly, stealing, cheating, robbing and looting are okay...as long as they are done by guys in suits rather than kids with the wrong color skin and dreadlocks.

Maybe you should hang around with better people and be less cynical rather than assuming the rest of the world sets the bar so low as a measure of 'goodness.'

I don't know anyone in my life of any background who considers not having killed someone as the baseline measure for leading a good life, or who considers those other crimes to be "okay," regardless of what color or status the person who commits them is.

I guess you don't pay much attention to political news or popular culture, huh?

 

[Locutus of Bored]

These day's you are considered virtuous if you haven't killed someone. That is how low the threshold for 'goodness' has been lowered. Certainly, stealing, cheating, robbing and looting are okay...as long as they are done by guys in suits rather than kids with the wrong color skin and dreadlocks.

Maybe you should hang around with better people and be less cynical rather than assuming the rest of the world sets the bar so low as a measure of 'goodness.'

I don't know anyone in my life of any background who considers not having killed someone as the baseline measure for leading a good life, or who considers those other crimes to be "okay," regardless of what color or status the person who commits them is.

I guess you don't pay much attention to political news or popular culture, huh?

As I matter of fact I do, Captain Condescension.

I just don't assume that that is representative of the majority of people in the world. Why would you? The mundane daily life of a good person just going about their business doesn't make for much newsworthiness or entertainment value.

Nor are the worst examples from those fields even representative of the majority of politicians or people in the public spotlight, most of whom aren't evil or corrupt or whatever other generalities you want to throw at them.

 

[plynch]

I haven't read all the posts, but I am replying to the original post. I teach history and we were learning/debating saturation bombing. While the students journaled about it (and humanity's aggressive ways in general) I played some Bach via the computer. When I despair I take solace that humanity could produce that music. Or Van Gogh. Or baseball.

 

[trekkerguy]

I haven't read all the posts, but I am replying to the original post. I teach history and we were learning/debating saturation bombing. While the students journaled about it (and humanity's aggressive ways in general) I played some Bach via the computer. When I despair I take solace that humanity could produce that music. Or Van Gogh. Or baseball.

... or hell, even Star Trek

 

[Holdfast]

Why is this the nature of the world we live in, and why would anyone choose to live in such a world?

Well, why not?

Not being flippant at all. I'm serious. The thread topic presupposes that perceived "worth" is a valid way of judging whether existence is justified. I don't believe that. Existence IS. It doesn't require some kind of tally sheet to determine whether it's justified. I prefer to just try to make the most of it & enjoy myself.

 

[Orintho]

When you look at the state of today's culture, a society that cares more about profits, commercialisation and litigation where nobody has to take responsibility if they can blame someone else, or where making money is more important that actually providing real results and making a proper difference, is this world really worth anything at all?

Moral Guardians dictate to everyone else how to live their lives because it offends someone else, so they try to oppress or suppress another's right to live their life without harming anyone else.

Big companies like the pharmaceuticals, who only research new medications to save lives, not for the ability to ease suffering, but to make money because they know what they've discovered is so important, that people will pay almost any price for it. So they patent the naturally occurring chemicals they've discovered so that other companies who are trying to save lives, can't take away their profit margins.

Even throughout Human history, nothing much has ever really changed. Corrupt organisations, be they political or religious, that deliberately stifle learning, advancement and opportunities just so that they can remain in power over people for their own cruel agenda, regardless of the benefit or damage they cause to those who rely on them for their own lives. All for the benefit of the small few at the very top of the chain, while so many innocent people get caught in the crossfire and trampled underfoot.

Why is this the nature of the world we live in, and why would anyone choose to live in such a world?

You make mention o a lot of bad things. But there are just as many good things - we usually don't pay attention to it.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Feelin' lucky, Punk?

Interestingly, it turns out that Clint Eastwood said this: “I don't believe in pessimism. If something doesn't come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it's going to rain, it will.”

It's almost like he knew this Thread was going to happen.

 

[The Borg Queen]

Interestingly, it turns out that Clint Eastwood said this: “I don't believe in pessimism. If something doesn't come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it's going to rain, it will.”

It's always going to rain eventually, the only question is a matter of when and for how long.

 

[Nardpuncher]

Interestingly, it turns out that Clint Eastwood said this: “I don't believe in pessimism. If something doesn't come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it's going to rain, it will.”

It's always going to rain eventually, the only question is a matter of when and for how long.

Oh kid....somebody just broke your heart didn't they? That's what started this thread!

 

[Amaris]

Feelin' lucky, Punk?

Interestingly, it turns out that Clint Eastwood said this: “I don't believe in pessimism. If something doesn't come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it's going to rain, it will.”

It's almost like he knew this Thread was going to happen.

Well, that just proves Clint Eastwood is so awesome that Chuck Norris prays to him at night.

J.

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^

Interestingly, it turns out that Clint Eastwood said this: “I don't believe in pessimism. If something doesn't come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it's going to rain, it will.”

It's always going to rain eventually, the only question is a matter of when and for how long.

And how pretty the rainbow will be afterwards.