h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well done Peregrin! The response to the h2g2 Torture Petition has been disappointing; but there is still a steady trickle of Researchers finding their way and their resolve to signing it... thanks, in part, to your excellent article. The question of what 'humanity' is doing about the evils you describe lies at the heart of the problem; and, if the answer is that you and I and our fellow Researchers and the people we see on the street are doing basically nothing, then nothing is going to change. The world is now much too small to ignore suffering anywhere. No one can claim not to know about the persecution, the terror, and the exploitation. Neither should we ignore the responsibility that we all share to make changes for the better.

JTG

Absolutely. I get frustrated with the majority's opinion that it is Somebody Else's Problem. If we don't do something about it ourselves then nothing is ever going to get done. And telling others about it is only the start... if I don't spend at least part of my life making a contribution to these situations then I feel that I'd be guilty of neglect.

I think a major part of being a human is the ability to rise up above evil and choose to pursue good, not only for your own advantage. That's ultimately what seperates us from animals.

I'm sure that the torture petition will be supported by a good number of people over time... h2g2 has a lot of researchers but they don't all come on at the same time. As long as it is well publicised I'm sure people will continue signing.

Philip K Dick (who was anything but) picked empathy, in his novel 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep', as the quality that most defines what it is to be human. Not only does it set us apart from animals, but also from otherwise superhuman androids. It's a trait we should try to cultivate.

JTG

Ah yes, I enjoyed Blade Runner a lot, and I bet the novel is even better. I thought the way that he questioned people to find out if they were androids was very cunning. I must read Do Androids Dream of Electic Sheep sometime, the book is invariably better than the film

Hmm, I must think of something to write for tomorrow's Post.

I wouldn't say the novel's better, but it is different. The Dick story focuses on ecological issues, and the business with the androids is really just a mechanism for exploring that. 'Blade Runner' is a wonderful film... one of my favourites.

JTG

I'm in agreement with everything, except that I want to add this: some animals can also experience and display empathy. You can ponder that if you want.

Anyways, Peregrin, you're doing a good job and I will let people know about it.

Love, Peace and Harmony to all!
Case

Prez!
Would very much like to add a link to your piece from my HIP page, if that's OK with you?
TheOkapi
http://www.h2g2.com/A441686
Ta!

Sure... more things should be coming soon, when I start writing for the Post again... I've just come back from my Christmas hol and sorting things out