Originally Posted by logtroll
Originally Posted by CPWILL
What era would you say the human species was better off in?
None.

Humans individually often have more good than bad in us, but as a species we have always been mindlessly destructive - now more than ever.

If I may offer some fascinating reading....



...The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined is a 2011 book by Steven Pinker, in which the author argues that violence in the world has declined both in the long run and in the short run and suggests explanations as to why this has occurred. The book uses data simply documenting declining violence across time and geography. This paints a picture of massive declines in violence of all forms, from war, to improved treatment of children. He highlights the role of nation-state monopolies on force, of commerce (making "other people become more valuable alive than dead"), of increased literacy and communication (promoting empathy), as well as a rise in a rational problem-solving orientation as possible causes of this decline in violence. He notes that, paradoxically, our impression of violence has not tracked this decline, perhaps because of increased communication, and that further decline is not inevitable...

Last edited by CPWILL; 01/20/20 04:39 PM.
Winter Is Coming