Even MORE Food For Thought

1. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   
   The 20th Century was a period of great contrasts.  There were scientific and technological inventions which guaranteed a very high standard of living.  There were also great humanitarian endeavors for the benefit of humankind.  In congruence with that, there were the most abysmal and barbaric acts committed against humankind e.g. Armenian Holocaust(World War I), Jewish Holocaust(World War II), ethnic cleansing of Serbs and Tusi among other atrocities.  The 21st century had 9/11.  Now there are other atrocities such as ISIS and the rise of right wing nationalistic groups.  Then there is the greater division among the classes with the increasing diminishing of the middle classes.  However, there are positive advancements in terms of technology in this century.  There is also more racial and ethnic convergence than ever before.  With the continuing technological advancements, will society become more evolved with equal technological benefits for all or will such technological benefits be slated only for the more privileged classes while the less privileged classes revert to a more primitive level of existence?  Will these technological advancements result in the elevation of humankind or the ultimate destruction of humankind if placed in destructive hands?

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   1. 78

      Credence2posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I will have to say that the technological advancements of the 20th century has not improved humanity's condition to any great extent. We hunt and we are hunted such has been the state of the world since the pharaohs and it continues. Man's inhumanity to man is the major theme. Until this changes, technology just accelerates the process that has been ongoing over the previous centuries. Star Trek, anyone? We need stunning technology combined with an attitude reorientation of the human family.

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   2. 78

      Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Well, how are we supposed to know this one ???
            I would say both are going to occur. It really all depends on human consciousness, which I do think is increasing. As I mentioned, I believe the new souls incarnating are up for the challenge. We are headed into higher ages of greater spirituality. But, we have a long way to go and many lessons to learn. We will have some very HARD school of knocks and very GRIM consequences from causes and effects. But, we WILL learn and improve in the long run.
      
      
      
      According to MY Crystal Ball 

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   3. 60

      cjhunsingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      gm
      Big questions and I will be forced to think, in terms, of the sentiments of Albert Einstein, in a letter he wrote to Harry Truman regarding the advent of the atomic bomb. "The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything save our modes of thinking and we thus drift toward unparalleled catastrophe."
      All the technological advancements will not change our mode of thinking, in that, far to many of us still abide in the nearest cave and some dwell, at night, in the trees.
      The great flocks of sheep are still tended by herders, who see to their needs of food and protection and the sheep are content to follow and to fear the one who growls or feeds or walks on two legs.
      More to the point. Technology is not freedom, as portrayed in the novel, '1984'.  It was used, as it is being used today, to control the masses and to pacify and to occupy their minds, much as the Circuses of Rome were used to divert the minds of Romans.
      Of the social problems you mention and more that you did not. The growth of a racial divide is the product of an engineering process by profiteering race baiters and a government, whose, seemingly sole purpose it is to create tension and unrest.
      We have an educational system that has failed us and concerns itself with the process of engineering our children away from the culture and history of America toward a globalistic fatalism. In short, our children, and many who are not children anymore, see themselves, as deserving takers void of any responsibility or obligation toward America, but rather to a philosophy of self gratification.
      Our current government is either criminally incompetent, criminally insane or knowingly participating in the destruction of America. To this then, all the technological advancements are mute and will only serve to confine and control the masses, serving only the  controllers.

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      1. 72

         rhamsonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         "Our current government is either criminally incompetent, criminally insane or knowingly participating in the destruction of America."
         
         I don't know if our government is all of these things but we are the reason why it is what it is. We refuse to monitor their workings and in most cases are oblivious to the medias accuracy in reporting it. Whatever knee jerk blood letting story comes on distracts our attention to the governments actions. We have not held them accountable as we have senators, representatives etc. who get re elected for life. What have they to worry as we sleep in our apathy. Our government is us and we are guilty of misconduct for ignoring and supporting its' actions. Technology is only one tool in their coffer to keep us divided.

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         1. 60

            cjhunsingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            rhamson
            
            I would very much like to disagree on all points, but I cannot. I am 70+ years old and, perhaps, it is my generation that was the most lax. That said, what now? Now that there is a clear understanding of where this country is going, is there an obligation, to speak, perhaps, in a louder voice, a more unified voice, What is it that voice should be saying? Should we just watch, as the coffin is lowered and maybe, we will turn to each other and say, I knew She didn't feel good.

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            1. 72

               rhamsonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               We have to get our voices back. This means we have to drop the party politic crap that got us into this dilemma and start thinking for ourselves.
               
               Another helpful direction we might take is the way the media spoon feeds us their analysis of the news. The who, what, where and when is too often overshadowed with the WHY they interject.
               
               The masses will figure out the answer once the corruption is reported and put to rest.
               
               "I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts."   Abraham Lincoln
               
               Term limits, publicly financed campaigns and lobby reform is a great beginning.

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               1. 84

                  gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  +1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000!

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               2. 56

                  retief2000posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  None of these will ever happen.

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                  1. 72

                     rhamsonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                     Very fatalistic and very revealing of you. Ideas are only viable when they offer hope. There are are a few movements towards this end. Luckily you are not in a position to kill it.

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                     1. 56

                        retief2000posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                        What is required to implement these three reforms, Congress acting against its own best interests. Therefore, I stand by my statement. It would be nice if you had a modicum of knowledge about the history of proposed reforms. These three will never happen.

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                        1. 72

                           rhamsonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                           We don't need congress to change it. You have revealed your lack of knowledge on the subject with your response. I would have thought you might have investigated more before you spoke. There is currently a movement to limit terms underway as a grass roots action. The others would follow in the shift of power. You are right that getting all three atone time is unrealistic.
                           
                           http://www.termlimitsforuscongress.com/
                           
                           But I know your pessimistic acid toned disregard for others opinions will find a way to marginalize this as well.

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                           1. 56

                              retief2000posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                              Term limits require a Constitutional Amendment, try that one without Congress. Lobbying laws have to pass Congress, unless you, again, Amend the Constitutions. Several politicians have sworn to only take public funds, yes Presidential campaigns already have public funds available, only to eschew public financing later - Barrack Obama is one of these, the first BILLION DOLLAR President. Again, Congress has to pass these rules into law, good luck with that.
                              
                              The most reform oriented political movement in national politics was the TEA party and they were cast as villains though most of the representatives elected with their help would do what you want. Most ran with term limits, lobby reform and other abuses of Congressional power in mind.
                              
                              How can you have lobby reform when the Hope-N-Changer in Chief readily rotates lobbyists in and out of his revolving door administration?
                              
                              By the way, grass roots don't mean diddly. It requires 3/4ths of the States to amend the Constitution - not a snow ball's chance.

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                              1. 72

                                 rhamsonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                 If you went to the site your answer to your questions would be revealed oh pessimistic one. But I guess you do like shooting from the hip doncha?

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                                 1. 56

                                    retief2000posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                    I understand the Amendment process and it is very unlikely that 3/4 of the States will ever agree, again, on anything substantive. The last big Constitutional reforms required the Civil War.

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                                    1. 72

                                       rhamsonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                       There's the old pessimistic barb I have come to know. Let's just hope 3/4's of the people will not be the same.

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                                       1. 56

                                          retief2000posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                          That is just it, it is not 3/4 of the people, ever, under any circumstances that makes the Amendment process work, as if you could get 3/4 of the entire body of the American people to agree on anything. It is EITHER 3/4 of the State Legislatures or 3/4 of Congress. How will you get the lunatics who run California to ever agree with the conservative government in Indiana? It won't happen,  because it requires too many to act against their own self interests.

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                                          1. 72

                                             rhamsonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                             You're right! How could you get anybody to agree with you? I guess you are one of the 25% who should be left off the mailing list. That way you can wallow in your pessimism alone.

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                                             1. 56

                                                retief2000posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                                You have convinced yourself of something that doesn't exist, the relevancy of popular support for a Constitutional Convention. Why would any Democrat want to open Utopia up for revision?

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                                                1. 72

                                                   rhamsonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                                   What do you care? Your attitude would not permit you the effort to find a way either way.

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                                                   1. 56

                                                      retief2000posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                                      Typical liberal, unconstrained by the Constitution. Enjoy squandering your energy. There is no Constitutional means for a grass roots movement to call a Constitutional Convention. The last energized grass roots movement was a conservative one and you hate and despise them - the TEA party. The 5th Amendment movement is also a conservative one, so it doesn't stand a snow balls chance either. The IRS, Justice Department and any other agency that can help, will attempt to thwart any real effort at reform - just like they have the TEA party and Republican supporters.
                                                      
                                                      You live in a time of growing tyranny and you waste your time with futile attempts to rescue a country that no longer deserves rescue. The re-election of Obama was ample evidence that the American electorate is composed of short sighted idiots.

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                                                      1. 72

                                                         rhamsonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                                         

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                                                      2. 78

                                                         Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                                         Wow, relief! 
                                                         ... what is the future for us?

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                                                         1. 56

                                                            retief2000posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                                            Sneaking across the Canadian border as America joins Mexico as a broken state.

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                                                            1. 78

                                                               Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                                               CFR wants Canada too.  No borders. Same currency for the entire continent. We are easy for the taking. Just like the original people of this continent before us.
                                                               
                                                               
                                                               http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independen … th_America
                                                               
                                                               http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independen … th_America

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               3. 60

                  cjhunsingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  rhamson
                  
                  Your comments are valid, but I no longer see the strength of character within America that Lincoln spoke of. With hyphens now identifying Americans, as qualifiers or conditions to being an American, does the idea of America still exist?
                  One can always point to a long list of why something cannot be and, perhaps, I am to focused on that list to see a re-awakening of America.
                  Your ideas of term limits and such are good and needed, but is there time? Many people, including me, began to see this shift away from the American ideals of Individual Freedom, starting in the mid 60's, but foolishly, we always knew that the Constitution was sound and that the integrity of those principles would override the internal upheaval that was threatening, not so. Victimhood is a powerful motivator for greed and those things, which serve as a path to a form of socialism, of which we now follow. Hopefully I am wrong.

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                  1. 56

                     retief2000posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                     American Character has been eroded by decades of entitlements and transfer payments. When one need only claim a need and offer a vote for sale in exchange for the property of strangers taken by the State, character becomes, not only unimportant, it becomes a torture device for those who possess sufficient character as to continue to work for their "daily bread."

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                  2. 72

                     rhamsonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                     I hope you are wrong as well. The need to keep the ideals are being eroded more so by the apathy that infects everybody. The Constitution is the guide by which we can peacefully change that which erodes the ideals set forth in it.
                     
                     "In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing you can do is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."  Theodore Roosevelt

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2. 83

   psycheskinnerposted 9 years ago

   The technology has made literacy widespread and put and end to plagues and huge infant mortality across most of the world and is working on the remainder.  I would call that "better".

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   1. 56

      retief2000posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Add the total calories available to every person on the planet have been on the rise since the last quarter of last century, meaning world hunger is slowly disappearing. Average life expectancy is increasing. The number of democratically elected governments has been on a steady rise since the collapse of the Soviet Union. We are impatient to see the fruits of a technological revolution which is on going, instead of realizing the the agricultural revolution took centuries and the industrial revolution several decades. Why should the cybernetic/capitalist revolution occur over night? It is a revolution in what goods and services are delivered and how.

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