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

re 31:

i can easily imagine myself as a monkey. it's in my genes

Paul H, I'm very happy you have your wallet back again now! And I also want to agree with all the folks here who say that actually, most humans are decent deep down. I think today however, there's something twisted operating in at least some societies, making us more selfish and self-centred than we need to be ... yes, certain economic and psychological theories that come from a certain perspective - that of what, if one looks at it from a distance, is actually a kind of aberrant hyper-aggressive society unusually lacking in empathy. I mean 'western' society that has gone out to conquer and destroy other more peaceful societies - those societies have actually mostly been the main way in which humans have lived for most of the lifetime of humanity. 'Our' way of life - I mean modern, Western, materialistic, arrogant and selfish - has enjoyed seeming success but maybe it will not be so much longer. Now don't get me wrong, I do think this 'way' has brought some benefits to Humanity, but also, this 'way' cannot remain this way for much longer; it, too will have to evolve into something a lot more compassionate, thoughtful, and responsible, for us humans to have much of a future.

Very interesting remarks about the baboons! I've read much about this ... animals, too, do better or worse depending on how their societies are set up. In baboon and other monkey troops where there's a lot of aggression and competition, they have males that are stressed out and get heart problems and shortened lifespans just like us! Whereas the more happy-go-lucky troops with a more laid-back lifestyle, they enjoy longer lives.

Hi, Willem.

I have to struggle with conflicting impulses, not unlike most other people. I can see how the aggressive, destructive impulses can get the upper hand in people who have rarely experienced a kind word or altruistic gesture. Almost every major religious figure has tried to tweak the human experience so that kindness, generosity, and love could be the predominant facets of human experience, but their followers (both historical and present day) have always found ways to regress to savagery. The struggle is ongoing. I console myself with the thought that the world would be far more savage than it is had these prophets not tried to make it a better place. Am I deluding myself? What do you think?

Just a thought on this:

I've just spent the last week writing a history lesson for high schoolers. The subject was how slavery got started in the US.

It didn't spring upon us full-blown - and there's nothing 'natural' about racism. It happened gradually, the process took about a century, and it was caused by...

Greed.

The system of indentured servitude in Virgnia got displaced by race-based slavery, gradually, because landowners found it too tempting to drive a wedge between the races in an attempt to control the working classes.

Peace studies are good. It takes a lot of time and patience - not unlike the Copenhagen conference - but it is possible to make the environment more user-friendly for people, to encourage better behavior. (Note to US Senate.)

Maybe seeing why what didn't work, didn't work, is a start. At least, that's what I'm hoping came out of my week's work.

On the subject of slavery.....

I have an uncomfortable feeling that there is a lot of guilt to go around. I know very little about the many generations of my ancesters in Nova Scotia, except that most of them made their living sailing ships. Did any of the ships carry slaves from Africa to the colonies? It's hard for me to imagine that none of them did. It's very likely that my ancestors needed to feed themselves and their families, and that they took what jobs were available.

Hi Paul, post 43 is a very good point-what would we all be like without prophets to remind us of the straight and narrow? I think that as has been said here , human nature is by nature ( for we are social animals ) altruistic to some kind of common degree - and i think the next post about the process of slavery and greed, answers your question Paul; people can be easily corrupted/blinded by the slow trikle of unchecked/unquestioned greed - we all need to be reminded where the straight and narrow path lies. For those who would say:"well what is the right path?", "who is to say.....?"i think they kid themselves, any sane adult knows right from wrong.

To change the subject briefly: i hope you still find time to write a line of two (preferably three) Paul

The pggb's are on me:-

Btw you are right everyones ancestors lived in a different time-a different society--they all had one thing in common: they all wanted to leave something better; a better life for thier children.

I'm still hoping to write some more bad verse. Fluffy Pink Rabbit has resumed his output, I see. I don't have his talent in the genre , but I'll see what I can do.

yes, we are social animals, but - as aldous huxley pointed out - only to a degree