Is it possible?

[eyeresist]

I think what is needed is a cultural change to where people understand how much potential for foolishness and evil there is in all of us. Until we admit what we are, we can't guard against the worst in ourselves.

 

[Metryq]

or the hypothetical meteorite wiping out an entire land mass.

The Second Impact was not really a meteor strike, and the event certainly didn't unite the survivors.

The most realistic story of this kind in TOS was "A Taste of Armageddon."

KIRK: All right. It's instinctive. But the instinct can be fought. We're human beings with the blood of a million savage years on our hands, but we can stop it. We can admit that we're killers, but we're not going to kill today. That's all it takes. Knowing that we won't kill today.

The delusion of the "happily ever after" utopias is the idea that everyone will think and feel the same way. Ain't gonna happen. Ever. People will always have their differences, and some of those differences will prompt certain people to fight. Perhaps they don't have to be major wars, perhaps the bell curve can be biased toward a more cooperative world than we know today. But "universal peace" is nonsense. Look at how hysterical some people can get over a sporting event—and that's supposed to be entertainment.

Imposing the peace from above doesn't resolve the problem, either:

SPOCK: Those who hate and fight must stop themselves, Doctor. Otherwise, it is not stopped.
—"Day of the Dove"

 

[kirkfan]

I don't there's anything that anyone can do about it. If it must happen, it will no matter how many are against it. Of course it is also true of the opposite. they key to all this is technological and scientific advancement, it is the only thing that truly changes throughout the ages, everything else is cyclic at best.

 

[bbjeg]

Spoiler: If you wish to learn more

Yes, it's possible for all of humanity to live on a unified earth in complete peace with one another and with nature. Along with that peace, mankind will also have perfect health, food, clothing and shelter for everyone, no economic greed or oppression and unlimited time to explore the universe and grow to our full human potential.

However, it's not going to happen the way Star Trek has depicted it. A cause of mankind's massive problems stem from a bad heart condition. Greed and selfishness corrupt the human heart. The desire for power and control ultimately ruin those in charge. Even good leaders cannot overcome these basic traits or, if they can, their lives are just too short to guarantee any lasting, permanent change in life. Oh, sure, we've come along way in many areas of life but, ultimately, humans are still dealing with hatred, bigotry and lust for power that have marked every civilization. As advanced as science and knowledge has become, we still deal with homelessness, the poor, warfare, crime, disease and death.

For humanity to overcome these disastrous traits, the whole earth needs to be unified in thought and purpose. As long as humanity remains divided on the best way to live, there will never be any lasting peace. In order for that unity to be achieved, all of humanity will have to agree on what the best life really is. I don't mean the parts of life based upon our personal preferences, but the part of life based upon values, morals, principles and life's overall purpose and meaning.

Not everyone will agree with this and it won't be easy. Only with the help of an outside source, a higher power, a superior authority that everyone can agree upon will such a change take place.

World Peace - Why So Elusive?
What Will God's Kingdom Accomplish?
Diplomacy - Will It Bring World Peace?
What is the Meaning of Life?

I disagree. If there's going to be lasting peace it's through universal pluralism and mutual respect, not through a single unifying philosophy that shames deviance.

Of course the other thing that could unite the world is a common threat. So come on aliens, attack us! Force us to unify against you!

Yeah, religion hasn't don't much for the world yet.

or the hypothetical meteorite wiping out an entire land mass.

The Second Impact was not really a meteor strike, and the event certainly didn't unite the survivors.

I don't think we should use any movie or television show to dictate what may happen in the real world.

 

[kirkfan]

..I don't think we should use any movie or television show to dictate what may happen in the real world.

It's never worked so far.

 

[Nightdiamond]

The delusion of the "happily ever after" utopias is the idea that everyone will think and feel the same way. Ain't gonna happen. Ever. People will always have their differences, and some of those differences will prompt certain people to fight. Perhaps they don't have to be major wars, perhaps the bell curve can be biased toward a more cooperative world than we know today. But "universal peace" is nonsense. Look at how hysterical some people can get over a sporting event—and that's supposed to be entertainment.

Uhura claims that all future humans aren't bothered by insults and slurs anymore. All humans, every last one of the billions of people living on earth.

Data says judging by appearance was the last prejudice to be eliminated.

It's a nice thing to imagine, but now, I don't know what to take from it. Is it really possible or logical to expect over 3 billion people to no longer judge by appearance or creed or beliefs?

Funny thing is, we see people on Trek with clear preferences, get insulted, and are insensitive to other's preferences like religion.

or the hypothetical meteorite wiping out an entire land mass.

The Second Impact was not really a meteor strike, and the event certainly didn't unite the survivors.

I used to think Trek taught that humans almost wiped themselves out and that is what caused the change.

But First Contact then jumped in and claimed that being visited by aliens from another planet is what motivated humans to clean up their act.

In a way, it makes sense. If there are millions of other civilizations out there, all our beliefs about ourselves and others are going to seem petty.

They'll seem small and won't matter--they'll get lost in what becomes a more bigger and advanced community.

Throw in advanced technology that removes the distinction between the haves and have-nots, not many people are special anymore.

A lot social-economic problems will probably--possibly began to evaporate too.

 

[kirkfan]

The delusion of the "happily ever after" utopias is the idea that everyone will think and feel the same way. Ain't gonna happen. Ever. People will always have their differences, and some of those differences will prompt certain people to fight. Perhaps they don't have to be major wars, perhaps the bell curve can be biased toward a more cooperative world than we know today. But "universal peace" is nonsense. Look at how hysterical some people can get over a sporting event—and that's supposed to be entertainment.

Uhura claims that all future humans aren't bothered by insults and slurs anymore. All humans, every last one of the billions of people living on earth.

Data says judging by appearance was the last prejudice to be eliminated.

It's a nice thing to imagine, but now, I don't know what to take from it. Is it really possible or logical to expect over 3 billion people to no longer judge by appearance or creed or beliefs?

Funny thing is, we see people on Trek with clear preferences, get insulted, and are insensitive to other's preferences like religion.

or the hypothetical meteorite wiping out an entire land mass.

The Second Impact was not really a meteor strike, and the event certainly didn't unite the survivors.

I used to think Trek taught that humans almost wiped themselves out and that is what caused the change.

But First Contact then jumped in and claimed that being visited by aliens from another planet is what motivated humans to clean up their act.

In a way, it makes sense. If there are millions of other civilizations out there, all our beliefs about ourselves and others are going to seem petty.

They'll seem small and won't matter--they'll get lost in what becomes a more bigger and advanced community.

Throw in advanced technology that removes the distinction between the haves and have-nots, not many people are special anymore.

A lot social-economic problems will probably--possibly began to evaporate too.

I think people waiting for the alien ex machina will be sadly disappointed.

 

[bbjeg]

..I don't think we should use any movie or television show to dictate what may happen in the real world.

It's never worked so far.

Well, now that I think of it, Star Trek and cell phones and automatic doors. I'll add an addendum to the statement; Movies and televisions can help inspire real world items, though, my statement is still valid in the reference to meteor strikes.

...Is it really possible or logical to expect over 3 billion people to no longer judge by appearance or creed or beliefs? ...

I always wanted a racist day (hear me out). It's a day where everyone can pour out any racist statement, stereotypical quip, or bigoted remark as much as they want. It'll help get it all out of people's systems and I'll bet the younger generation will find it the most stupid, which will in turn help cure the world of racism.

 

[kirkfan]

..I don't think we should use any movie or television show to dictate what may happen in the real world.

It's never worked so far.

Well, now that I think of it, Star Trek and cell phones and automatic doors. I'll add an addendum to the statement; Movies and televisions can help inspire real world items, though, my statement is still valid in the reference to meteor strikes.

...Is it really possible or logical to expect over 3 billion people to no longer judge by appearance or creed or beliefs? ...

I always wanted a racist day (hear me out). It's a day where everyone can pour out any racist statement, stereotypical quip, or bigoted remark as much as they want. It'll help get it all out of people's systems and I'll bet the younger generation will find it the most stupid, which will in turn help cure the world of racism.

Sort of like an April Fools Day of racism...

 

[bbjeg]

^Yeah (Simplified like a Star Trek pro ).

 

[Metryq]

Throw in advanced technology that removes the distinction between the haves and have-nots, not many people are special anymore.

Sorry, that's still daydreaming. Making people financially equal will do nothing to make them equal in other ways. People will still differ in their skills, physical prowess, mental acuity, etc. Governments may be reduced to management of the masses and the resources they need—without all the excess baggage we tolerate today. And there will always be "glass is half empty" people who focus more on what they don't have, rather than cultivating what they do have.

Even if medical science can invent ways to equalize physical and mental excellence, someone will always feel he can design a better treatment. (Which produces a generation of Khan Noonian Singhs.) "But such science is based on facts."

Now you're really dreaming.

 

[kirkfan]

^Yeah (Simplified like a Star Trek pro ).

There's more depth to what I said than you imagine. April Fools day was meant initially to alleviate class tension and resentment by allowing people to be disrespectful of their hierarchy for one day. It goes back to the Roman empire. So it's in fact very close to what you're proposing.

 

[kirkfan]

Throw in advanced technology that removes the distinction between the haves and have-nots, not many people are special anymore.

Sorry, that's still daydreaming. Making people financially equal will do nothing to make them equal in other ways. People will still differ in their skills, physical prowess, mental acuity, etc. Governments may be reduced to management of the masses and the resources they need—without all the excess baggage we tolerate today. And there will always be "glass is half empty" people who focus more on what they don't have, rather than cultivating what they do have.

Even if medical science can invent ways to equalize physical and mental excellence, someone will always feel he can design a better treatment. (Which produces a generation of Khan Noonian Singhs.) "But such science is based on facts."

Now you're really dreaming.

What exactly is the disagreement between the two of you? Because I am not sure I agree with either one of you.

 

[Melakon]

or the hypothetical meteorite wiping out an entire land mass.

The Second Impact was not really a meteor strike, and the event certainly didn't unite the survivors.

I didn't mention any film, so I don't know why you're using a fictional one to refute my comment as if it's some sort of fact.

 

[kirkfan]

The title of this thread reminds me the question Sisko keeps asking the klingon advocate in Rules Of Engagement: "Is this POSSIBLE!"

 

[eyeresist]

There have been a lot of really vague thread titles lately...

 

[Melakon]

There have been a lot of really vague thread titles lately...

Some seem to be from people whose primary language is not English.

 

[kirkfan]

There have been a lot of really vague thread titles lately...

Some seem to be from people whose primary language is not English.

...or secondary for that matter.

 

[bbjeg]

^Yeah (Simplified like a Star Trek pro ).

There's more depth to what I said than you imagine. April Fools day was meant initially to alleviate class tension and resentment by allowing people to be disrespectful of their hierarchy for one day. It goes back to the Roman empire. So it's in fact very close to what you're proposing.

I didn't mean to put down what you said. Your statement painted my idea better than how I stated it.

 

[kirkfan]

^Yeah (Simplified like a Star Trek pro ).

There's more depth to what I said than you imagine. April Fools day was meant initially to alleviate class tension and resentment by allowing people to be disrespectful of their hierarchy for one day. It goes back to the Roman empire. So it's in fact very close to what you're proposing.

I didn't mean to put down what you said. Your statement painted my idea better than how I stated it.

I wasn't upset. Sorry, if it seemed that way.