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

Children compete with merciless selfishness from their first few days - as soon as they become aware that there are others with which to compete. They compete for food, attention and anything else that might be on the go.

Those are the inborn instinctive drives that we, as a civilised society, try to train out of our children. The trouble comes in the fact that while we are trying to teach our children shareing and fair play we are also idolising(sp.) sports and bussiness leaders(and their kind).

At that point, we become a paradox to our offspring. We glorify and demonize competitiveness at the same time. In my mind, this only serves to negate any training and relegates them to depending on their instincts...which is a drive to be highly competitive.

Thus...the cycle, if it ever ended, begins anew!

NM

A common misconception.... There is a huge, enormous gap between the rich and the poor. However, as an example, King Henry VIII of England found, on gaining the throne, that he was the heir to the largest fortune in all of Europe at the time--an unimaginably large amount of wealth belonged to the Crown. However, his treasurer also calculated that, were this wealth to be spread among the people, it would only be enough to buy each man one horse, one blanket, and I think three loaves of bread. I suppose when the bread ran out after a week or two, the man, his family, and the horse would have to start eating the blanket...
Sorry, I didn't mean to be quite so biting, it's just that even the admittably disgustingly rich aren't generally *quite* as rich as everyone thinks they are....

isn't humankind a wonder and we are puzzled why aliens come here. it's the laughs.

if one just would read marx first and allow the market forces it would unleash to work. but "we" like to fiddle with things far past any remotely helpful stage. human nature not withstanding, i believe "we" need a little self-enforced evolution before "we" change a damn thing and any way to make any thing work.

Well, since it's based on religion, there is a higher power that people look to, higher than the government.

It's based on a higher morality, and so will last longer than a state government, based on power.

At least, that's my opinion.

The trouble is, that "Higher Power" changes from time to time.....depending on the wishes of the people or the government.

Don't get me wrong.....the "Higher Power" doesn't change...just the peoples opinions of who and what he/she/it represents.

NM

Very true.

I was just using Catholicism as an example.

People look to whatever higher power they belive in to be above reproach, and I think that it is a mistake to view government or officials as such (above reproach).

But you're still right.

Politicians above reproach!? HE-HE!!!!

The trouble is there is politics within religious organizations. In my short 43 year tenure on this planet I think I have seen just about every religious order I am familiar with adjust their beliefs. Not because their given deity changed, but because membership was down!

NM

I agree!
It totally ticks me off! Even if I disagree with a system of beliefs, I am usually only angered by it when the believers havn't the conviction to stick to their beliefs.
Not to pick on Catholics again, but the Catholic (RC) Church has broken up so many times because of politics that it would be funny if it weren't so awful. Kings vs. Bishops vs. Protstants vs. The Pope vs. Jews vs. THEMSELVES!
Aaargh!

Sorry, don't mean to rant.
It's just frustrating.

AMEN!..... I decided long ago to trust my own beliefs and let others believe what they wish! I do not trust anyone to make my religious decisions for me...if I am wrong, then it is MY fault. I have no one to blame but myself.

That is something I feel I can live with throughout whatever eternal damnation there may or may not be. If I be wrong, I did it to myself...if I'm right, I did it FOR myself!

NM

You are great.
Finally, someone willing to take their own lives into their own hands.

Well...shall I say, I do the best I can....but..."no man is an island".

One must take consideration for others as foremost. Your life will affect others in ways you can never imagine. If it does't affect them, it may affect there offspring.

I've had that happen to me, so I know it's a real option. There is no telling what affect that little bit of info may have on the future! What will I pass on to others that will affect their future....or their progeny?......a scary thought!

NM

Only too true.

we never had that system, but in order to survive as a species we will have to devise some sort of wold system that will work... something like communism

Welcome to H2G2!....Put something on your Homepage, so you can be properly greeted!

You are right, in a way.

A "One World Government" is inevitable.....and our current methods won't work. There is way too much competition between nations for "government by commitee" to work. A solitary leader is too dangerous.....power breeds desire for more power. This leads me to believe there is no government plan in existance that is workable.

The present forms of Capitalism and Communism only exist with those formats......something new is needed.

I'm waiting for "The Great Thinker" who will devise our future governments. I may not be around to see it, but I know our survival, as a species, depends on it!

NM

If I understand the dialectic correctly, Stalin was very happy to be placed in the position of "well entrenched military dictatorship". When it comes to the little problem called "human nature", Stalin doesn't deny the concept, he proves it.

But would the Communist world have been any better off under Trotsky? Somehow I think not. Trotsky might have had more altruistic reasons to retain the power, but retain the power he would. Anyone who wouldn't, would be replaced by someone who would... which leads us back to that "human nature" problem.

Why can't democratic government work at the world level? Sure, some guy will have a lot of power, but that's only if you're dumb and go for a president style thing. Better would be to have a senatelike thing, preferably with Proportional Representation, which would keep the amount of power of any one person down to a sane level...
Kind of like the European Parliament, then?

Competition between nations will reduce smartly once people no longer feel attached to any particular nation. Which will take a while, but will happen. After all, how many of you go into supermarkets and try to "Buy Wessex"?

You middle class Yanks really knock me out. What a hoot, "the US govt is almost totally socialist". You have been Lassez Fayre capitalists for so long that it,s absolutely impossible for you to develop any class consciousness.

Do an old "middle class yank" a favour......could you define "class consciousness" for me? I'm afraid I'm not clear on what you are trying to say.

As far as being Capitalists...H**L yeah I am, and loving every minute of it!!!

My earlier comment is meant as a comparison....compared to the economic system this country accepted in its' beginnings, its' more Socialist than Capitalist today! Just as the UK is no longer a true Monarchy, the US is no longer purely Capitalist nor a Republic. The US and the UK have both moved toward the Socialist end of government.

While not always a bad thing, especially to those who are charity minded, moving too far toward a Socialist government is economic suicide. There is only so much wealth which can be distributed. Also, if you take too much from those who "have" they lose the incentive to work.....then there is NO wealth to distribute!

Finding that delicate balance between Capitalism, Socialism and Communism is d**n near impossible....but it doesn't stop the politicians from trying! And it shouldn't, as that would be the "Holy Grail" of perfect government!

Oh, and Lucinda (AKA MyRedDice), there will be a one world government eventually.....if mankind survives long enough. It is just part of the natural progression from family unit to tribal to city to state to nation to.....yep....worldwide. I wish I could hang around long enough to see what kind of government meathod they use! I'm afraid, though, none of us alive today will survive to see it!

NM

depends what the incentive is... open source software shows that, in at least some circles, money isn't the incentive.