Equality, Really?

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   gmwilliamsposted 17 months ago

   
   Is the idea of equality a myth to assuage humanity?   Why do some persist that everyone is equal?  Is there such a thing as equality?    In actuality, aren't there people better than others whether it is socioeconomic, education, life chances, intelligence, &/or looks while conversely, there are others far worse off in the aforementioned areas? Why equality will NEVER be achieved?  Your thoughts on the subject?

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      The0NatureBoyposted 17 months agoin reply to this

      Every human is a living being, that is the equalizer.
      
      Is your heart equal to the blood it pumps? your mouth, stomach and intestines to the foods they digest? your liver to what it extracts or your lungs to the air it separates for the body?
      
      Equality is always achieved but human don't realize each of their life-forces once has been or will become every level conceivable to human.

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      Live to Learnposted 17 months agoin reply to this

      Equality of opportunity does not guarantee equality of outcome. For every winner there has to be a loser.

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         The0NatureBoyposted 17 months agoin reply to this

         Life is not a contest to have winners and losers.  Life is doing what is needed to sustain one's self (and a sucking offspring for the 12 years ecological living requires) while learning who we are and why. That is not a contest with winners and losers.

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         gmwilliamsposted 17 months agoin reply to this

         In our hierarchical system, there are winners and losers.  That is a fact of life.  This explains that equality is a MYTH to psychologically, even psychically assuage the masses.  There is NO EQUALITY.   The concept of equality is a UTOPIAN MYTH, that's all.

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            The0NatureBoyposted 17 months agoin reply to this

            What you said reveals the myth of human's social standard that violates life itself. Look around you, what beings require a class that isn't based on the individual's dignity but something they produced? What beings require covering their bodies? What beings require transforming their food into chemicals by the use of heat before ingesting them? Those things and the rest of human's civilized living that was brainwashed into us by the schooling received after calling it education is the myth, not the reality that what is called God implanted into us when creating us that most have swallowed hook, sinker, line, reel and pole and all other undomesticated beings reject.

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   Castlepalomaposted 17 months ago

   I only recommend a fair playing Feild. I know how to win often. Only been beaten by groups who stack the deck, they are pros at cheating.

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   wildernessposted 17 months ago

   Certainly all people are different, but "better"?  That would have to depend not only on your definition of what "better" is, but on your personal assessment of which trait takes priority over others. 
   
   The best we could ever do to make all people "equal" is to provide the fair playing field Castlepaloma mentions and even that is problematic; does the intelligent person that has a crippled leg need an opportunity to play football?
   
   Beyond that, and far more important, is that we will never provide that playing field as long as parents raise their own children, for the parents are not the same as the next set and have different values.  I suppose we could institute massive, million bed, "centers to raise children" and take them all from their parents as newborns, to be put into the tender loving care of political committees...but I doubt we would have a country to build them in.  Not after parents/grandparents/aunts and uncles, siblings, etc. got wind of what was being planned for their loved ones.

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      Castlepalomaposted 17 months agoin reply to this

      There was a guy who came 4th place in the Olympics with no legs. He refused to join the handicap Olympics. My brother the same, with one leg in swimming, ranked number one in Canada for his age group.
      
      I trained a women who tied me for the most world solo sand sculptures championships ever. Only if I lose my brain, kill me, I refuse to be part of someone's vegetables garden.

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   gmwilliamsposted 17 months ago

   But aren't there people better or worse than us on the bases of intelligence, looks, education, & socioeconomic status?

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      Castlepalomaposted 17 months agoin reply to this

      Sometimes I am world class at a few things then other times. I fell handicap or crippled like with accounting. When I go to hell, I will be giving birth to an accountant.
      
      Everybody does something better than the other person and vs. versa. So each of us are no better or worst than the other guy overall. Why should billionaire's and trillionsairss dictate our future. When together, we can do it better.

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         gmwilliamsposted 17 months agoin reply to this

         The majority of people have no power.  They will never have any power.   Power is earned through education & socioeconomics.  The rich will always be powerful because they EARNED it.   The only way to earn power is through education & a high skill set which will result in a high-powered job.  One has to have the MINDSET to attain power.   Most people are raised to be...……...SLAVES!   Addenum, one has to attain wealth to be powerful.  With money comes power & respect.  Without wealth, there is NO POWER nor RESPECT.

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            Castlepalomaposted 17 months agoin reply to this

            You can be healthy without being wealthy. Healthy is wealthy, without health you got nothing.
            
            Money is important as intellect, realationships, and spiritual. If your way over focus on the love of money. You can or will unbalance the other 4 pillars structures of your life. My happiness vs suffering means more joys rather than more toys in the means to an end.
            
            It is a joy talking to you intectually, even if we disagree on the over focus or over love for money

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               gmwilliamsposted 17 months agoin reply to this

               Why thank you so much.

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            The0NatureBoyposted 17 months agoin reply to this

            The only reason The majority of people will never have any power is because they accepted the conditioning that money is power  instead of wisdom is power and would rather discarnate than remain the SLAVES they were conditioned to be.

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            The0NatureBoyposted 17 months agoin reply to this

            The only reason The majority of people will never have any power is because they accepted the conditioning that money is power  instead of wisdom is power and would rather discarnate the to remain the SLAVE they were conditioned to be.

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               hard sunposted 17 months agoin reply to this

               So true. Many of my acquaintances  cannot fathom of someone who truly doesn't care about their socioeconomic status as it relates to influence and power. When people understand there are others who truly don't care about theses things, it seems as though it is almost intimidating to them. Contentment brings about  a sort of power in this way...even if it's not acted upon or welcomed. At least in Western society that is.
               
               I don't respect, or disrespect, others just because of their economic status. It doesn't even cross my mind until I hear others discussing the matters.

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                  The0NatureBoyposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                  That's why we humans are so different, we can choose to conform or return to environmental living. But it's as you said, those who conforms to the "status quo" are intimidated by actual freedom. In every set of scriptures I've ever read is suggested that only a few are to become nonconformists.

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                     hard sunposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                     Differences are wonderful, though it is sad that not enough of us at least considering the environment is already having dire consequences. From what I've read of you, I'm not near the level of non-conformity that you are. It takes some cojones and I commend you on that.
                     
                     I could do much better than I do when it comes to my environmental footprint. However, our family is certainly known for a non-conformist lifestyle, with one parent working, no car payments, urban gardening, atheists in the Bible belt (we do respect others' beliefs). I also don't look down on those who conform more than we do. Whatever it takes and get out of others way as much as possible is kinda my motto.

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                        The0NatureBoyposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                        Hard Sun, I'm a Louisiana born Texas raised Baptist who was a nonconformist from birth (Click on the house on my page and read "The Book of Elijah: A Letter to the World") who has since gone through what the Bible calls a New Birth where I literally kicked off my shoes and shirt for the nomadic life John 3:8 say is the only evidence that one has been reborn. 
                        
                        I would suggest for you and your family to each look deep within your individual selves to see if you have what it takes to make the "Civilization Exit." Anything less will cause at least one more discarnation for everyone who don't find the environment as the key to life.

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                           hard sunposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                           I'm definitely ready to take a positive leap NatureBoy...considering where my family is, with a kid in college, etc., I don't think we can all make such a giant leap in that direction. However, I've learned I never know where life may take me personally.

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                              GA Andersonposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                              I know what you mean hard sun. With the exception of a coming new grandson, my home-based ties have all matured to their own lives and I have a small piece of mountain top property in West Virginia that is calling my name.
                              
                              No services; electic, roads, or anything else, but a great view and no neighbors for miles. But alas, it is still wishful thinking. Too many obligations, (meaning my wife says no), in real life. *sigh
                              
                              GA

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                                 hard sunposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                                 Ha ha..That about sums it up. The boss is, well the boss. I'd love to go back out west to the Blue Mountains of Washington....trade the car for a horse. I settle for a visit every several years.

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                                 The0NatureBoyposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                                 Why, GA and Hard Sun, do you think Jesus said (Matthew 19:29) every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life? These are the days of everyone for them selves and God for us all and that statement was made specifically for them.

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                                    GA Andersonposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                                    The forsake part is a problem for me Natureboy
                                    
                                    GA

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                                       The0NatureBoyposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                                       That is for most, GA, I figured it would be. Had I not since childhood wanted to be as free as a deer I could have never made it, I don't believe, but I did it and am thankful that I did it.

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                                    hard sunposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                                    Yes. What kind of "good" man tells people to turn their backs on their families? Not my god,  not my prophet, not my son of god. You do you, and I respect that. I'll do me.

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                                       The0NatureBoyposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                                       It was only a suggestion, Hard Sun, I don't do instructing because we each have to do for our individual selves and not govern anyone else. Communicating is only for causing others to seal their destiny or change it, it isn't about you must.

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                                          hard sunposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                                          Thank you. Sometimes I take suggestions the wrong way.

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         4. 96

            TessSchlesingerposted 17 months agoin reply to this

            To be equal, one has to be the same. We are all different. We are born with different genes, into different environments, and this affects our potential. Add to that, different political and economic hierachies, and outcomes are different for each person as well. So, in terms of our material world, there is no equality between us.
            
            While education and and high skill set certainly bring about power and money, Prince Harry, Boris Johnson, Donald Trump don't have that much education. Some would argue they have zilch. What they had were parents with power and money. Statistically, this is the norm.
            
            
            
            Power is NOT EARNED. It is the result of birth and money. Thomas Petty pretty much showed that in his book, 'Capital in the 21st Century.' The vast majority of moneyed people were born into money. Gates? Take a long look at his background. He was born into money. His parents could afford to send him to a private school that was fully provided with computers in a time when most people didn't have them. He then went to Harvard. How many parents can afford that? Research has shown repeatedly that people who make money come from moneyed backgrounds.
            
            
            You say one has to have the mindset to attain power. That is true to some respect. Twenty percent of CEOs are psychopaths. There is a direct correlation between power/money and psychopathy. It is not possible to make money and have power with strongly psychopathic characteristics. Even those without the full blown spectrum (20%) have high degrees of it. Forbes magazine has written about it quite a lot - that psychopathy is a good business trait for CEOs.
            
            Most people are followers - not slaves. This is part of the mammalian condition. In all mammals, 19 out of 20 are followers while one out of 20 is a leader. This has to do with brain chemistry.
            
            The leader has a stronger will intellectually, plus the abilityt to withstand suffering, influence of others, drugs, drinks, etc. to a greater degree. The leader can stand against the group and the follower cannot. The leader takes instruction from within. The follower needs the affirmation of the group in order to feel safe.  But slaves? No. Simple biology.
            
            To come back to equality.
            
            We cannot be equal in terms of Mother Nature. We can, however, be guaranteeed equal opportunity to live lives of well-being and safety through a political and economic system. We have, as yet, not yet achieved that. Our systems have all fostered inequality (capitalism does that as well). This has been so since mankind stopped being nomads and became farmers. Paleontologists have found a couple of exceptions where they cannot differentiate in status and all are equal, but they are the exception - not the rule.
            
            Post-capitalism may well bring in a new economic system in which the inequalities are less marked. We'll have to wait and see.
            
            
            With all of that said, there is something more precious than our genes, our status, our material circustances, and that is our life force. We do not yet know what it is, and its value is.
            
            As a human, I would be very scared of thinking someone inferior to me, and I would certainly never think someone is superior to me. I count myself as equal to all, and all are equal to me - even though like Wilderness who drive me absolutely nuts!

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               gmwilliamsposted 17 months agoin reply to this

               Tess, thank you for responding.

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                  TessSchlesingerposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                  And you're not going to comment? I am undone!

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               The0NatureBoyposted 17 months agoin reply to this

               Well said, Tess. However, although they had chiefs the various Native American tribes treated everyone as equals at the reserves I visited during my nomadic times, they made no differences in people except for inabilities born in them and they were treated as everyone else.

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                  TessSchlesingerposted 17 months agoin reply to this

                  ++

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               Castlepalomaposted 17 months agoin reply to this

               Tess, wilderness drives you nuts?
               Lol.
               I rather wilderness challenges than so many that just ignore alternative thinkers like us.
               
               I spent 10 years developing sand  and snow sculpture industry before great success  Than another 15 years pioneering tiny houses and eco villages before success is just started to set in.
               
               You ask me about working with the youth. Like the movie city slickers, there one thing you must do, to figure life out. That one thing.... Is what you have to figure out.

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   lovetherainposted 17 months ago

   Yes, everyone is equal.

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      gmwilliamsposted 17 months agoin reply to this

      Are THEY?   Think AGAIN!

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         Castlepalomaposted 17 months agoin reply to this

         I am what I think.
         
         So break it down for us how money is more important than intellect, spiritual, health and relationships combined. I found just about everyone is stronger than me in some way, that makes them equal in different ways. 
         
         I don't hope, think I've got my sh_t together more than most. Who knows, I might fall again, so friends help pick me up and let's go round again

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         lovetherainposted 17 months agoin reply to this

         You are so wrong.

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            Castlepalomaposted 17 months agoin reply to this

            Is this wrongness GM or Me?

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   MizBejabbersposted 17 months ago

   I was signed in and wrote a reply. Then it said I had to sign in again. So it deleted my post when I signed in. Talk about equality!

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      GA Andersonposted 17 months agoin reply to this

      That happens to me all the time. You would think HP could put in a warning before it dumps your effort.
      
      I have learned that if I didn't sign in today, then I copy every reply before I preview or submit it - a pain in the butt, but a necessary one considering how wordy I can get. ;-)
      
      GA

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      The0NatureBoyposted 17 months agoin reply to this

      That happened to me once, thereafter I began to copy it before signing in. Maybe it would be better if Hubpages were to do something but with just a little though we can take away the agony of it until/if something is done.

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