stvdv
Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
No. Hence I said "usually"
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Are Humans Their Own Worst Enemy?
- Thread starter Deeje
- Start date
We Never Know
No Slack
Humans are the worst enemy not only to themselves but to near all species on the planet.Looking back through their history both secular and religious, it is very apparent that humans are poor examples of how to lead the world and each other in the right direction.
Looking at today’s world and seeing the advances in technology and science and the decline in religious practice, what conclusions can we come to? Is science the more intelligent way to go?Is the seeming demise of religion what the world needs to move forward?
For every advancement that science makes, the planet is paying for it in some way. We, as supposedly the most intelligent inhabitants of this planet seem to throw caution to the wind when implementing things that will save us time and money. All focus seems to be on the here and now, but little attention is paid to what consequences may come from such a short sighted view.
What are some of the upsides and opposing downsides that you can think of where humans could demonstrate more responsibility for the environment?
I’ll start off with the one thing that humans invented that is now choking the world.....plastic pollution.
Plastics became popular in the 1960’s and were originally a boon to every household and an accumulation of plastic containers and gadgets flooded the market with “must have” implements and storage containers with lids. But here we are 6 decades later and we are drowning in the stuff because we failed to see how long this product would take to break down like natural products do.
What would you offer as a solution? Should we get rid of plastic and substitute a more environmentally friendly product like hemp? If so what do we do with all the existing plastic that is clogging our landfill, oceans and rivers?
Should we make the manufacturers more accountable?
Thoughts....?
Looking back through their history both secular and religious, it is very apparent that humans are poor examples of how to lead the world and each other in the right direction.
Looking at today’s world and seeing the advances in technology and science and the decline in religious practice, what conclusions can we come to? Is science the more intelligent way to go?
For every advancement that science makes, the planet is paying for it in some way. We, as supposedly the most intelligent inhabitants of this planet seem to throw caution to the wind when implementing things that will save us time and money. All focus seems to be on the here and now, but little attention is paid to what consequences may come from such a short sighted view.
What are some of the upsides and opposing downsides that you can think of where humans could demonstrate more responsibility for the environment?
I’ll start off with the one thing that humans invented that is now choking the world.....plastic pollution.
Plastics became popular in the 1960’s and were originally a boon to every household and an accumulation of plastic containers and gadgets flooded the market with “must have” implements and storage containers with lids. But here we are 6 decades later and we are drowning in the stuff because we failed to see how long this product would take to break down like natural products do.
What would you offer as a solution? Should we get rid of plastic and substitute a more environmentally friendly product like hemp? If so what do we do with all the existing plastic that is clogging our landfill, oceans and rivers?
Should we make the manufacturers more accountable?
Thoughts....?
Humans are both their own worst enemy and their own best friend, paradoxically.
We are capable of amazing destruction, but also amazing construction and healing. We are capable of great hatred, but also of great love and compassion. We have created horrible dystopian societies, but have also created amazing, democratic, functional societies wherein people are happy and healthy. And more than anything, we have an incredible capacity to learn: through thousands of generations of trial and error, we have gained a profound degree of insight into ourselves, our world, and how to better live in it.
firedragon
Veteran Member
Exactly. Very good. Are you justifying science is good? Why? Did I claim science is bad mate?
This is the problem with tribalistically answering for someone else.
firedragon
Veteran Member
The question was due to someone who calls himself an atheist made the claim this is all because of humans dumping science and believing in other stuff. So, now you get the picture?
You have answered him with this sentence. Cheers.
Regiomontanus
Ματαιοδοξία ματαιοδοξιών! Όλα είναι ματαιοδοξία.
Looking back through their history both secular and religious, it is very apparent that humans are poor examples of how to lead the world and each other in the right direction.
Looking at today’s world and seeing the advances in technology and science and the decline in religious practice, what conclusions can we come to? Is science the more intelligent way to go?
For every advancement that science makes, the planet is paying for it in some way. We, as supposedly the most intelligent inhabitants of this planet seem to throw caution to the wind when implementing things that will save us time and money. All focus seems to be on the here and now, but little attention is paid to what consequences may come from such a short sighted view.
What are some of the upsides and opposing downsides that you can think of where humans could demonstrate more responsibility for the environment?
I’ll start off with the one thing that humans invented that is now choking the world.....plastic pollution.
Plastics became popular in the 1960’s and were originally a boon to every household and an accumulation of plastic containers and gadgets flooded the market with “must have” implements and storage containers with lids. But here we are 6 decades later and we are drowning in the stuff because we failed to see how long this product would take to break down like natural products do.
What would you offer as a solution? Should we get rid of plastic and substitute a more environmentally friendly product like hemp? If so what do we do with all the existing plastic that is clogging our landfill, oceans and rivers?
Should we make the manufacturers more accountable?
Thoughts....?
IMHO the problem is Capitalism. That plastic is the result of our mindless consumerism.
Given that the answers as to what humanity as a united whole needed to do, to prevent what has happened since the mid to late 1800's and what we now face, then is seems our choices not to consider those answers, is not a good choice.
Change can not happen until we embrace our unity, in our diversity.
Regards Tony
Change can not happen until we embrace our unity, in our diversity.
Regards Tony
I don't know where God appeared in anything I have said. The fact is that humans are being destructive because they have been unaware of their actions until fairly recently, and it will take some effort to put it right, if at all possible.
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The Bible has many verses that show us when humanity is at its worst, this is one such passage.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
So yes we do become our own worst enemy and it all happens the more we turn away from what God has offered to Humanity.
Regards Tony
Bear Wild
Well-Known Member
Looking back through their history both secular and religious, it is very apparent that humans are poor examples of how to lead the world and each other in the right direction.
Looking at today’s world and seeing the advances in technology and science and the decline in religious practice, what conclusions can we come to? Is science the more intelligent way to go?
For every advancement that science makes, the planet is paying for it in some way. We, as supposedly the most intelligent inhabitants of this planet seem to throw caution to the wind when implementing things that will save us time and money. All focus seems to be on the here and now, but little attention is paid to what consequences may come from such a short sighted view.
What are some of the upsides and opposing downsides that you can think of where humans could demonstrate more responsibility for the environment?
I’ll start off with the one thing that humans invented that is now choking the world.....plastic pollution.
Plastics became popular in the 1960’s and were originally a boon to every household and an accumulation of plastic containers and gadgets flooded the market with “must have” implements and storage containers with lids. But here we are 6 decades later and we are drowning in the stuff because we failed to see how long this product would take to break down like natural products do.
What would you offer as a solution? Should we get rid of plastic and substitute a more environmentally friendly product like hemp? If so what do we do with all the existing plastic that is clogging our landfill, oceans and rivers?
Should we make the manufacturers more accountable?
Thoughts....?
Now I know we agree on at least two things. This makes my day. We both love the natural world and we both agree that things need to be done to stop destroying our world. Yes manufacturers must be held accountable as well as governments. We need to learn from nature and make things that can be recycled or degradable in a beneficial way for the environment. Without intervention then we will ultimately live in and on top of our own trash. Thanks for the post.
Bear Wild
Well-Known Member
Well two out of three is not bad. Science has never been the problem, it is what we do with the knowledge that is the problem. From the scientific process we have learned how intimately interconnected we are to the rest of the world and that we need to maintain a balance with our world to maintain biodiversity which is the healthiest thing for our planet. Science has lead us to identify our influence on global warming and is warning us to change the way we live. It is not science that is the problem, it is the way use the knowledge. If we would actually learn the wisdom from what science offers we would know better than to destroy the world which gives us life.
Bear Wild
Well-Known Member
Well said Hugo. Humboldt warned us long ago that our actions would destroy our world but we didn't listen.
halbhh
The wonder and awe of "all things".
To everyone -- You and Me.
As a whole, humanity harms itself a lot -- The Tragedy of the Commons -- just as the OP illustrates well.
The worse part of our "own worst enemy" is closer to home tho.
Inside.
What you do to yourself, maybe it takes years to admit it...
How can people start to realize the truth of the matter of their own real life?
The thousand ways we can hurt ourselves. (everybody has their own ways....)
Sometimes like this light hearted look below....but always one way or another
As a whole, humanity harms itself a lot -- The Tragedy of the Commons -- just as the OP illustrates well.
The worse part of our "own worst enemy" is closer to home tho.
Inside.
What you do to yourself, maybe it takes years to admit it...
How can people start to realize the truth of the matter of their own real life?
The thousand ways we can hurt ourselves. (everybody has their own ways....)
Sometimes like this light hearted look below....but always one way or another
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halbhh
The wonder and awe of "all things".
Carbon tax often comes up as a key thing to address that climate killing tragedy of the commons we all have going on (even if we personally cut back some....)
But, there's another thing -- maybe the way you ultimately treat yourself/respect yourself (not the superficial ways, but the deeper side)...
...matters more than we usually think for the planet as a whole, because what we do to ourselves in that deeper way, in our soul, gets reflected on the outside in how we treat the entire planet.
Like in the post just above, post #53.
74x12
Well-Known Member
First put the blame where it belongs. Most of the plastic in the ocean for example is from fishing nets and such like industrial waste. Finding alternative biodegradable fishing net material would be helpful instead of blaming people who like to drink with a plastic straw.
Pollution these days is mainly a problem of so called third world countries. This is a problem of governments not poor people or average citizens. Governments should be held accountable and forced to clean up their own land, water and big industry. First world countries can help by withholding business for bad behavior and rewarding good behavior with funding.
I think we should. We have made some steps which have been good.Looking back through their history both secular and religious, it is very apparent that humans are poor examples of how to lead the world and each other in the right direction.
Looking at today’s world and seeing the advances in technology and science and the decline in religious practice, what conclusions can we come to? Is science the more intelligent way to go?
For every advancement that science makes, the planet is paying for it in some way. We, as supposedly the most intelligent inhabitants of this planet seem to throw caution to the wind when implementing things that will save us time and money. All focus seems to be on the here and now, but little attention is paid to what consequences may come from such a short sighted view.
What are some of the upsides and opposing downsides that you can think of where humans could demonstrate more responsibility for the environment?
I’ll start off with the one thing that humans invented that is now choking the world.....plastic pollution.
Plastics became popular in the 1960’s and were originally a boon to every household and an accumulation of plastic containers and gadgets flooded the market with “must have” implements and storage containers with lids. But here we are 6 decades later and we are drowning in the stuff because we failed to see how long this product would take to break down like natural products do.
What would you offer as a solution? Should we get rid of plastic and substitute a more environmentally friendly product like hemp? If so what do we do with all the existing plastic that is clogging our landfill, oceans and rivers?
Should we make the manufacturers more accountable?
Thoughts....?
No more plastic bags in shops, all reusable now.
With the existing rubbish, I dunno. Maybe we could burn it or something lol
We Never Know
No Slack
Is a greater number of people living longer really better?
That contributes to over population, food shortages, more natural habitat destruction, more pollution, more diseases(for starving poor countries), etc.
Leona Sorros
New Member
Well, Well. This is the fact. In past probably we killed our own brothers/sisters named Neanderthals. We are destroying mother nature with Climate Change now. What do we need to prove now?
Yes, you and others have struck on the main problem.....whatever science discovers, someone always seems to find an evil use for it......with short sighted financial gains as their main motivation......so human greed is one of the main issues here, I think many would agree.
But along with the science, there also is governmental responsibilities. We have known for decades that plastics have been polluting our environment and all governments have done is inform people of the problem without actually doing anything about it. Perhaps there was the financial gain from those big corporations who produce these pollutants going bust and that income being threatened? Or perhaps these corporations fund political campaigns and governments are hesitant about upsetting them? There has to be reasons why this has been ignored on such a large scale for so long, when they knew exactly what the experts were predicting and now we are living in the reality.
Is this what paradise is supposed to look like?
But what would have happened decades ago if the governments had stepped up to the plate and unitedly tackled the problem in a collective fashion and made laws banning the production of these things in their current form. This is a global problem with two culprits at the end of the day.....the manufacturer who was allowed to keep producing this poison to our environment, and the rulers who allowed them to do it.
For example, if hemp had been used to produce the plastic instead of petroleum related chemicals, then no environmental damage would have been done. Instead of killing the marine creatures, it would have fed them. Instead of polluting the landfill, it would have fertilized it. Such an intelligent choice could have avoided the disaster that this form of pollution has become, and given farmers an ongoing income with a very easy and pest resistant crop to grow indefinitely.
Someone else mentioned commercial fishing nets as one of the main threats to marine life and we can easily see that this is correct. But "commercial fishing" is exactly what the problem is. These nets are not biodegradable which means that they never break down in the oceans...thousands of them are abandoned every year but these trap so much more than the fish they are meant to catch. It is heartbreaking seeing air breathing marine creatures caught and drowned in these death traps.
In the old days, only people who lived in coastal towns and villages ate fish and sea foods, and the waters around their areas had sustainable supplies without taking away food for other marine animals. Now that we have those who exploit the oceans for profit, their fishing is completely "commercial".....financial incentives are their only focus. There is no regard for sustainability when you see what is wasted and killed in those nets.
In all of this I can only echo the Bible's clear statement..."the love of money is the root of all evil".
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Do you really think that the banning of plastic shopping bags is a real solution? Do you know what the substitute bags are made of? Are they less polluting materials? Do you know that people now use these bags for their trash? What problem was solved? Only those who really care about the environment will reuse them and only a fraction of the plastic waste that is put into the recycle bin actually is recycled. There are warehouses full of plastic products waiting for somewhere to go. They used to ship them off the third world countries who have now stopped taking them.
Burning plastic gives of toxic gas so finding ways of disposing of the plastic that already exists would be a logistical nightmare environmentally.
We humans are really not as intelligent as we imagine ourselves to be. We seem to have all the rights...but no responsibilities....and we love money more than we love the only home we have in this universe .
