Is the World Better or Worse?

[_truth dancer]

Lately, I hear a lot about the last days and that the signs of the times are upon us. OK, so yes we are facing a pretty terrible time in many respects; global warming is a serious problem, the economic crisis is HUGE, mass extinction is unprecedented, wars continue, starvation is rampant, and we have many new challenges that are unique to our time.

OTOH, compared to the history of humankind, I think now is about as good as it has ever been in many respects.

I'm sure fewer people die in war today than ever, the laws protecting women and the opportunities afforded women are better than ever in the history of the world, (not that there isn't a long way to go) children are being recognized as something other than slaves in much of the world, as we recognize the billion members of our human family do not have clean drinking water, my guess is that the percentage of humans having food and water is greater than at any other time. The resources for the disabled are better today then ever before in some parts of the world, slavery is winding down after six thousand years, and some people care about animals and the Earth more than at any other time (generally speaking).

So, what do you think? Is the world worse than ever? Better than ever? About the same? Are the problems we face more serious? Just part of the evolution of humankind?

I don't know and am not arguing an opinion just wondering how y'all see it.



Thanks for your thoughts,

~td~

[_VinVishnu]

Better than ever;

Look what we have

1) more knowledge than ever, including knowledge of our evolutionary origins.
2) worldwide connectivity--the internet
3) amazing medicine
4) Seinfeld reruns.

[_harmony]

The poor get poorer, the rich get richer. The ramp up or down never seems to change. Those that have don't share, and those that don't have likely never will.

I don't understand people who want to live forever. And on the other hand, I don't understand people who don't try to live as long as possible. I was talking to a LDS guy today who has 3 spots on his lungs. The doctors think they are malignant. He won't allow them to do a biopsy to find out for sure. Meanwhile, his wife and 3 young children live in limbo. When asked why he won't have the biopsy done, he replied that what will be will be anyway, and he won't be taken before his time is up. I about freaked. I don't understand that kind of attitude.

Is life better now than in the past? Hard to say, since at any given time, there were some who were rich, and some who had nothing, and lots in between. Just because what was rich then would be poor now is immaterial.

The earth still looks the same, from space.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Vin,

Welcome to the board! :-)

Better than ever;

Look what we have

1) more knowledge than ever, including knowledge of our evolutionary origins.
2) worldwide connectivity--the internet
3) amazing medicine
4) Seinfeld reruns.

But, (smile), do any of these make life for our species any better? Are people happier? Are more people glad to be alive? Less poverty, less violence?

Or, might it be that as we expand our ability to communicate and connect to others who may not be part of our tribe, our awareness deepens and our consciousness expands?

I don't know.. just asking!

~td~

[_Jason Bourne]

The poor get poorer, the rich get richer. The ramp up or down never seems to change. Those that have don't share, and those that don't have likely never will.

I some places yes and some no. The poor can become well off at least in the US and other free nations. I believe in the American Dream. I think I am living it. I was barely middle class growing up and started married life with little. I have been fortunate in my career. I know dozens of others who could say the same. I have seen it in my business.

I also see those who have being quite generous for the most part.

I think you are basically wrong on this point.

I don't understand people who want to live forever. And on the other hand, I don't understand people who don't try to live as long as possible. I was talking to a LDS guy today who has 3 spots on his lungs. The doctors think they are malignant. He won't allow them to do a biopsy to find out for sure. Meanwhile, his wife and 3 young children live in limbo. When asked why he won't have the biopsy done, he replied that what will be will be anyway, and he won't be taken before his time is up. I about freaked. I don't understand that kind of attitude.

I think some people get rather silly about such things. I won't say stupid since TD will say that it is the fault if their faith and that these folks may just think I am faithless.

Is life better now than in the past? Hard to say, since at any given time, there were some who were rich, and some who had nothing, and lots in between. Just because what was rich then would be poor now is immaterial.

For a whole lot of humanity there is no doubt that life is so much better than ever it has been. For many it still is awful and we have a long way to go. All in all I think this is the best time in the worlds history for most humans to live.

The earth still looks the same, from space.

And this has what to do with what?

[_truth dancer]

When we look at the entire world population, I do think things are changing but I think it is really, REALLY slow going.

While in the US (and in other developed countries) we have people who can "move up" the economic ladder, I don't know how many people really move dramatically up. I'm guessing most move up a little, one rung on the ladder, (smile). However, if we look at the rest of the world, the cast system is still alive and well, and there is little opportunity for most people to make dramatic changes. (I think).

I was actually thinking today how really similar we are to the various hierarchical or stratified levels of society that have existed throughout history. The names, laws, and some of the dynamics have changed but they are pretty much the same as they have always been.

The rich get richer, they get an education, make the laws, run the town/country/state/religion, have the control and power. The poor work, and play their role in society.

Another thing, in terms of the end of the world and signs of the times, is an economic crisis even on God's radar How about global warming? What difference do these types of problems make to God?

~td~

[_Inconceivable]

Hi TD,

Regardless of whether we live long or die young, I think most people are basically good.

Though the humanity of various cultures may be a bit cyclical, as a whole nothing has changed much.

I don't think the blood drenched 2nd coming Jesus is needed any more than he was needed last century.

[_Trevor]

The good parts are amazing, and the bad parts are frightening. Humanity has advanced at the expense of just about everything else. When it all catches up to us, it's gonna be a catastrophic bummer. I think I see it on the horizon, and I hope I am wrong.

[_Jason Bourne]

When we look at the entire world population, I do think things are changing but I think it is really, REALLY slow going.

Some changes are slow. Especially in nations with little freedoms. Other things are changing very very fast. Technology, information, etc. Who ever thought we might see newspapers diminishing and that we had access to the information we have at most of our finger tip. In the US, Europe and other developed nations many of the poor are still more comforable than most humans through out history.

While in the US (and in other developed countries) we have people who can "move up" the economic ladder, I don't know how many people really move dramatically up. I'm guessing most move up a little, one rung on the ladder, (smile). However, if we look at the rest of the world, the cast system is still alive and well, and there is little opportunity for most people to make dramatic changes. (I think).

I think many move way up and fast. Look at what the average American owns compares to our parents then compare it to their parents. There have been great leaps at least in creature comforts and material wealth. Course that may be disappearing if our economy crumbles.

I was actually thinking today how really similar we are to the various hierarchical or stratified levels of society that have existed throughout history. The names, laws, and some of the dynamics have changed but they are pretty much the same as they have always been.

I strongly disagree at least in the nation you and I live in. Other places yes.

The rich get richer, they get an education, make the laws, run the town/country/state/religion, have the control and power. The poor work, and play their role in society.

Everyone has opportunity in the USA. Anyone can move up the ladder and some rapidly. For some it is easier for others harder but they can move. And almost any American can get a college education if they want it. There is plenty of help if they don't have the money and there are still state schools that are affordable.

Another thing, in terms of the end of the world and signs of the times, is an economic crisis even on God's radar How about global warming? What difference do these types of problems make to God?

Personally I think the idea that global warming is man made is far from proven and more likely than not we are coming out of a rather cool period in the earth's long history. That said I am still all for doing things to reduce carbon emissions, renewable energy and caring for our environment. As for economic issues? We may not like what is happening but it is nothing new and has happened many times before and even in our life time we have had some rough recessions and one that was I believe worse than at least where we currently are in the late 70s and early 80s. We may pass that one yet, but not yet.

[_JAK]

When we look at the entire world population, I do think things are changing but I think it is really, REALLY slow going.

While in the US (and in other developed countries) we have people who can "move up" the economic ladder, I don't know how many people really move dramatically up. I'm guessing most move up a little, one rung on the ladder, (smile). However, if we look at the rest of the world, the cast system is still alive and well, and there is little opportunity for most people to make dramatic changes. (I think).

I was actually thinking today how really similar we are to the various hierarchical or stratified levels of society that have existed throughout history. The names, laws, and some of the dynamics have changed but they are pretty much the same as they have always been.

The rich get richer, they get an education, make the laws, run the town/country/state/religion, have the control and power. The poor work, and play their role in society.

Another thing, in terms of the end of the world and signs of the times, is an economic crisis even on God's radar How about global warming? What difference do these types of problems make to God?

~td~

TD,

Your philosophical question at the top is an interesting one. At the same time, it is critical to have an understanding of what you mean by the term “better.”

If “better” means greater information which is accurate and applicable to various problems and situations, of course the world is better. If you mean by that term a host of other things, the answer may be the world is not better. We are each left to place our own thoughts on the term.

Your reference to “God” is reference to a term about which there is great difference in points of view. You assume an interest which God has. In so doing, you also assume some notion of “God.”

There is certainly room for a wide variety of responses to your question and room for people to apply their own notions of “better” vs. worse which is implicit in your opening.

JAK