If you could change the world...

[FireSoul]

If you could change the world...

If you could change the world, what would you change and why?

This is a question that has bothered me since I was very young. Because (to me at least) the answer has always been very simple. It's bothered me because I could not figure out why everyone else did not see it. Then I grew up, and realized the problem was fear. We don't want to give up anything, we want to hang onto what we have out of the fear of becoming less than we are.

We would have to learn to work together, rather than compete with each other. We would have to change how we define status. But these can be done. It's a matter of education, it's a matter of understanding that we ALL are in the same situation, because we are all on the same planet.

It is not like we have anywhere else to go. This planet is dying. Look around, seen the weather lately? Been following the news? Checked out the World Health Organization's site? We have simply run out of time. And it's up to us, the people of this planet to change it. Governments won't... unless we make them.

This game we all play, is all about creating worlds. So lets take that to the next level... and re-create the one we actually live on. So what would you do...and why?

 

[shrundowr]

Uhhh.....


kill half its population?

 

[Johabius]

This is a very good question. I'm going to have to think a bit before I answer, because if I don't, I'll probably say something stupid like "Give everyone a pet monkey".

 

[mordero]

going along with what AB and TMS said, however, would it be better to enslave this half or kill them?

Anyways, what most people dont realize (Well they do, but they choose to ignore it) is that money makes the world go round. People are greedy, doesnt matter who you are. Even if it isnt for money, if you have the choice between having even just half of a candy bar and a whole candy bar and you choose a whole one, you're greedy. So, as long as people are going to make money on doing something, its going to keep happening. Yes people can whine and cry about it, but this stuff happening is creating jobs which in turn makes workers and stockholders money (mostly stockholders, but thats the way the economy works). So until it is more profitable/less expensive in the short run to care about the environment/help the sick/help the poor/stop violence/etc, people arent going to do anything about it. If people start thinking about long term, then perhaps these things could happen, but only if EVERYONE started thinking long term, which wouldnt happen, because you are going to have the person who is more greedy than the rest and just wants money for himself, then he is going to work short term and screw over everyone else.

So what can we do, truthfull very very little until EVERYONE, including management and stockholders of cooperations, want to do something about it, because they have the money and it takes money to make major impacts.

 

[Malaperth]

I think it all boils down to 'be careful what you wish for, you just might get it'. Many people thought they could change the world, but had no idea (how can you) of the consequences of even a small change.

 

[mordero]

but had no idea (how can you) of the consequences of even a small change.

reminds me of chaos theory lol

The flapping of a single butterfly's wing today produces a tiny change in the state of the atmosphere. Over a period of time, what the atmosphere actually does diverges from what it would have done. So, in a month's time, a tornado that would have devastated the Indonesian coast doesn't happen. Or maybe one that wasn't going to happen, does.

 

[Puron1794]

Given the cold hard reality of what society has become: survival of the richest, which is now in direct contrast with nature's way: survival of the fittest, there can only be one outcome: human extinction. Once we have made the earth uninhabitable for humans (and probably most of the present day plants and animals as well), we'll go extinct and the Earth will heal itself. Life will start again, just as it has after previous mass extinctions.

I don't feel upset about this because we chose not to take care of our home and therefore we don't deserve to continue living here. SO, I guess if I could change something in the world...I'd do the most selfless thing and speed along our mass extinction so that the Earth (and all of it's other creatures who can live in harmony with it) can start healing itself sooner.

 

[siran]

So, are we talking about what is actually practical, or just wild fantasy? I hope killing 1/2 or all of humanity is not yet possible or practical.... Think how horrifically chilling that idea is if there is even a small grain of seriousness in it. Move over Hitler, Stalin, and everyone else with a psychopathic reputation!

I don't know how to separate humankind from nature; after all we are as strongly associated with this earth and ecosystem as any other species. The only difference between us and other creatures is dominance. Were a different species dominant, would that make this a better world? If God or evolution (whichever you suscribe to) caused a reptile species to dominate the planet, would that mean everything would be rosy and good?

As to the question, what would I change....I really can't change anything but myself. The teachings ascribed to Jesus, Buddha, and other religious figures boil down to the need for humanity to change in the heart. Jesus said it as loving your neighbor as yourself. Well, I can't change you or my cousin or the man down the street, but I can change me. So, changing myself to be more caring of others, more thoughtful of the big picture, more appreciative of this wonderful world....this is what I can and actually try to do. Want to join in? One at a time it can be done.

 

[WarAngel]

I'd overhaul the United States and make it a totally free society -- economically and socially -- so that I can eat all of my McDonald's, spend all of my money without paying taxes, and hang out with all of my pot-smoking friends in total uninterrupted peace. Fuck Socialism, for serious.

 

[Johabius]

Okay, after reading some of the replies here, I've made my decision. I agree the most with Siran said, and then throw in a dash of what WA said.

And I'd probably still give everyone a pet monkey.

 

[DreamCatcher]

I would have to agree with you Firesoul...Change is not going to take place because of "Fear" and fear is a state of mind....In order to change things it takes work and effort...So many don't want to do this so things never change...People stay content with what they know no matter what it is...

If I could change something I'm not sure what it would be except a better way of life for everyone...Less worry,fear,doubt, etc etc...Then everything else would follow suit for a better place....

 

[FireSoul]

So, are we talking about what is actually practical, or just wild fantasy? I hope killing 1/2 or all of humanity is not yet possible or practical.... Think how horrifically chilling that idea is if there is even a small grain of seriousness in it. Move over Hitler, Stalin, and everyone else with a psychopathic reputation!

I don't know how to separate humankind from nature; after all we are as strongly associated with this earth and ecosystem as any other species. The only difference between us and other creatures is dominance. Were a different species dominant, would that make this a better world? If God or evolution (whichever you suscribe to) caused a reptile species to dominate the planet, would that mean everything would be rosy and good?

As to the question, what would I change....I really can't change anything but myself. The teachings ascribed to Jesus, Buddha, and other religious figures boil down to the need for humanity to change in the heart. Jesus said it as loving your neighbor as yourself. Well, I can't change you or my cousin or the man down the street, but I can change me. So, changing myself to be more caring of others, more thoughtful of the big picture, more appreciative of this wonderful world....this is what I can and actually try to do. Want to join in? One at a time it can be done.

Thank you!

 

[FireSoul]

I posed this question hoping that people would actually consider a serious answer. Very few have.

Joeku, you seemed quite upset at the hijacking that was going on in your thread, yet I've seen you be just as guilty of it in other threads.

I understand that distractions happen in any conversation, but I'd appreciate an effort at least to stay on track. It's far easier to post some nonesense when everyone else is, rather than take the time to think about a serious response. I get that.

I wanted people to realize that they are not as powerless as they seem to feel. The only real power other people have over us is the power we hand them. This includes government. Because the reality is (here, in north america and every other country that elects its officials) that it's the people who have the power. Imagine if everyone refused to vote? We have that ability. We don't exercise it. What if we did? If every adult in north america stood up and said no, all at the same time. What would happen?

There are not enough prisions to hold us all.

 

[shrundowr]

my answer WAS serious. Then again, I'm the guy who wanted to know how much executioners got payed, and if it was enuff to live on, would have considered it as an occupation. so mreh.

Jimmy Pop... nevermind.. just nevermind.

 

[Ki Frost]

didnt bother to read all the posts on here so forgive me if my 'point-of-view' has already been stated...

First (you will think I am a very cruel\mean person for this but... fuck you) I would kill the mental\physicaly disabled people...
By that I mean if you cant move, feed yourself, or talk, you are worthless to this world and have no purpose here...
This would free up *some* space and give more food to people (i dont think it would be a whole lot though).

Secondly... I would start the destruction of towns (RECYCLE THE SHIT DONT PUT IT IN A DUMP!) and start building down (underground for the dumb people) and let mother nature take back over those areas, would fix some of the ozone and stuff.

Then I would have to see how it was going (10-15 years) to be able to make the next step...


This is MY opinion, if you don't like it, I don't care, im just that way

 

[WarAngel]

I know you don't give a shit, but that's one of the most immature viewpoints (if you're serious) I've seen in a long time.

 

[Ki Frost]

how is it immature?

 

[WarAngel]

how is it immature?

Because it takes a selfish viewpoint of "no one else matters", which is, in essence, the way a child thinks. When you're a kid, you have your family and your friends, but when you're out playing, you don't take a serious regard for other people because your mind isn't developed enough to process the idea of other living beings with their own thoughts and desires.

 

[Ki Frost]

LOL!!

To me the above isnt 'selfish' if you cant support yourself in those ways, then you cant, obviously, protect yourself or others.

Maybe I didn't put in enough description so that you get where I am coming from...

 

[WarAngel]

The ability to offer protection is not the only worthy quality of a human. Even if you feel that a human has no worth because they cannot provide for themselves, they have worth to someone. My uncle has down syndrome and if it weren't for my grandpa, he would not have the means to be self-sufficient. Yet he still has worth to us as a member of the family, just as many other people with down syndrome or even those in a vegetative state or with Alzheimer's.