Where are we going....as a species?

[AtreyuKun]

Although I didn't watch it, I saw clips and stills from the Dnepropetrovsk maniacs(3 guys 1 hammer thing). I truly find this kind of thing horrible beyond my comprehension. Of course we as a species have never been very good at making friends with one another, the internet has held a light up to our fear and secret behaviors. If somebody farts in Japan, it's on CNN 5 minutes later. So I understand this kind of thing is nothing new, it's just that knowing it's out there, at best disturbs me.
So I ask this question: Will we ever move away from this kind of brutality? Do you think we will ever evolve past this?
It's no secret that I'm a huge Star Trek fan. There are 2 things that stick out in my mind about that series. In First Contact, the knowledge that we weren't alone in the universe brought everyone together. They forgot about money and war and power, and worked only to better the species. They took all that energy that was devoted to wealth, and used to help each other.
The other one was with Mark Twain. He couldn't believe that people could change. he said he came from a time when power was an end to itself. Could it really be that people could change? The answer of course, is yes.
It isn't impossible like walking through a wall or anything. It would just require changing our thoughts. In theory, it is possible.
Think it'll ever happen?

[sirloot]

If everyone would live and let live.... mind their own business, things would be peachy !

[nicodude]

The answer to the title question- The way of the dinosaurs- EXTINCTION

Bring it on I say...

[WickedKitchen]

I think that there is an animal instinct programmed in our brains. I mean for the most part we exercise self control [or are controlled] but not all of us have the same level. After all, we are yet another mammal species on the planet. Parallels can be drawn between humans and other species when it comes to certain behaviors.

I'd like to see a progression of humanity, myself. I think there will always be some sort of brutality be it on this level or on a level of mass destruction. Sure, this is terrible. Resources of wealth that the world has needs to be put into firstly food production and distribution. I think that the advent of the "new" energy miracle source will be the beginning of that, whatever that source may be. I think that the food thing would even have to come before the cessation of all unnatural death. At our current abilities overpopulation is a serious problem and it will eventually reach a maximum, but I believe that the plant could support many times the current population. Of course, Earth's capacity is not infinite. We even stave off the inevitable death now and will continue to further that ability.

Interstellar travel would be the next obvious choice. Adaptation and colonization.

I also think that a piece of the puzzle will resemble something of the sort of removing "you" from the body and inserting "you" into something else. Maybe it will be technology and that would work if we could figure out how to transmit senses and emotions. Maybe it will be an engineered life form which also could be better built than the current human design and be able to do more, tolerate more. I wouldn't be opposed to something like this, either way the food thing has to be figured out first and that won't happen until the energy problem is resolved. Wish I could be around to see advances in our species. Whatever it is, it would certainly be amazing.

[WickedKitchen]

Nico, you probably have the statistics on your side after all. Huh.

[Ainkor]

I've always felt that Star Trek represented an idealistic view of humanity as a whole. While as noble as that may seem, it's just not very realistic. I would love for society as a whole to be pushing towards a great and glorious future but the reality is that we are bitter, shallow, self centered people who only really care about those close to us. Sure we can have emotions for others, but be real with yourself. There are little kids dying of hunger in many parts of the world. Why aren't we RIGHT THERE fixing the problem? Why aren't I? Why aren't you?

I'll just throw this here. Be forewarned, I will use the F-word multiple times. I feel it is germane to the thought process and other lesser words just don't convey the rawness of reality....

Humanity is about 1 thing and 1 thing only.. ****ing.

We go to school to be smarter and to learn how to socialize with other so that we can ****.

We get a good education in order to get a good job to attract better ****ing partners.

We co-habitate with another so we have ample opportunity to ****.

We **** to make babies and then raise them to go out into the big bad world to ****.

When we are tired of ****ing our significant other, we **** someone else even though we have promised not to.

We continue to gather more stuff that makes us even more ****able.

We lie cheat and steal to get stuff to ****.

We even **** people of the same sex because ****ing is ****ing fun.

Until society as a whole gets it's head wrapped around the ****ing problem, we will continue to **** one another over in order to **** more. The sad truth is that no one really gives a ****.

Edit notes.... **I'm a bit annoyed...... It edited each of my **** words out! Damn it! It's my best stand up routine!**

[sirloot]

lol well said

[Premium Parrots]

I've always felt that Star Trek represented an idealistic view of humanity as a whole. While as noble as that may seem, it's just not very realistic. I would love for society as a whole to be pushing towards a great and glorious future but the reality is that we are bitter, shallow, self centered people who only really care about those close to us. Sure we can have emotions for others, but be real with yourself. There are little kids dying of hunger in many parts of the world. Why aren't we RIGHT THERE fixing the problem? Why aren't I? Why aren't you?

I'll just throw this here. Be forewarned, I will use the F-word multiple times. I feel it is germane to the thought process and other lesser words just don't convey the rawness of reality....

Humanity is about 1 thing and 1 thing only.. ****ing.

We go to school to be smarter and to learn how to socialize with other so that we can ****.

We get a good education in order to get a good job to attract better ****ing partners.

We co-habitate with another so we have ample opportunity to ****.

We **** to make babies and then raise them to go out into the big bad world to ****.

When we are tired of ****ing our significant other, we **** someone else even though we have promised not to.

We continue to gather more stuff that makes us even more ****able.

We lie cheat and steal to get stuff to ****.

We even **** people of the same sex because ****ing is ****ing fun.

Until society as a whole gets it's head wrapped around the ****ing problem, we will continue to **** one another over in order to **** more. The sad truth is that no one really gives a ****.

Edit notes.... **I'm a bit annoyed...... It edited each of my **** words out! Damn it! It's my best stand up routine!**

**** yea!

[Premium Parrots]

I saw the info on several videos in another thread. That video the OP referred to is one of them. I checked all three of them out. I got thru about 15 seconds of the hammer one and had to look away and change pages. The diver video is bad but I watched that one completely a year or so ago. The third video mentioned in that thread I stopped a few seconds into it. That was one of the most horrible things I've ever seem done to a human. Granted the guy died quickly. But .......come on. A human did that to another human. Mankind is evolving. But for the better or worst?

[Frosted]

Must admit, I've just googled that hammer video and I can't watch it out of respect. There are few videos I can't watch but this is one of them.

[Mawdryn]

Must admit, I've just googled that hammer video and I can't watch it out of respect. There are few videos I can't watch but this is one of them.

I'm with you Frosted...

[charmando]

earth will reach it's carrying capacity soon enough. the way we've been going and have always been going we have royally boned this planet. i just don't understand why people don't address the issues that are important albeit "taboo"; overpopulation. i don't five a shot were senator weiner has been sticking his slong, let's talk about things that matter. arrogance. i'm futched up.

[AtreyuKun]

Looks like you're drunk posting on an iPhone charm. Lol indeed.
As for our species, I like to hope for the best, but expect the worst. Always expect the worst.

[heders]

I think we have a bright future ahead. Many people are waking up right now, getting more empathic and dropping their ego (which really is the cause of all the wars and negativity on the planet). People are discovering that they are not fragments in a hostile universe, but are connected with one and another and with everything that is.

The Mayans I think is right about 2012 - but not that the world will end, but the world as we know it (and start a new era of compassion and love).

But it could easily go the other way. But that way is equal to suffering, so sooner or later people will have to take that leap in to the unknown to experience that unity and love.

[xrt]

Although I didn't watch it, I saw clips and stills from the Dnepropetrovsk maniacs(3 guys 1 hammer thing). I truly find this kind of thing horrible beyond my comprehension. Of course we as a species have never been very good at making friends with one another, the internet has held a light up to our fear and secret behaviors. If somebody farts in Japan, it's on CNN 5 minutes later. So I understand this kind of thing is nothing new, it's just that knowing it's out there, at best disturbs me.
So I ask this question: Will we ever move away from this kind of brutality? Do you think we will ever evolve past this?
It's no secret that I'm a huge Star Trek fan. There are 2 things that stick out in my mind about that series. In First Contact, the knowledge that we weren't alone in the universe brought everyone together. They forgot about money and war and power, and worked only to better the species. They took all that energy that was devoted to wealth, and used to help each other.
The other one was with Mark Twain. He couldn't believe that people could change. he said he came from a time when power was an end to itself. Could it really be that people could change? The answer of course, is yes.
It isn't impossible like walking through a wall or anything. It would just require changing our thoughts. In theory, it is possible.
Think it'll ever happen?

I have seen that clip myself, and thousands of others. It's disgusting... but in my opinion these things will always be around.
To be honest, I can't stand any human beings. Animals tend to get along very well together. They are like a unit, work together.
I like birds more then I like most human beings.
The part about war; it will never end. It has also been around for many many years.
But time will change, but if history serves us any right it will only get worse.
I am a down-to-earth guy, and believe we only live once.

Do the things that you like to do, enjoy every moment of it.
I used to think alot about the horrible things that happen in this world, but after I started Martial Arts I got my eyes up on things.
Instead of fear, I now welcome fear.
Yes I believe we have some animal instincs in our brain and mind, but to have the knowledge that you can stop these people if you spot them beating another man with a hammer it brings me peace of mind.