OT - RIP Arne Næss

[General Pain]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arne_N%C3%A6ss

[pmulcahy11b]

I have a problem with extreme peace movement such as Gandhi's and many of the "Green Parties" in general. Well, maybe not a problem --they're composed of good, well-intentioned people I'd probably like -- but I think they're generally unrealistic. The human species is basically a great ape with an enlarged brain, and we still have a lot of our primitive instincts, such as territoriality, aggression, extreme competitiveness -- our instincts have yet to catch up with our brainpower in the evolution game.

Robert Heinlein once said that if we do finally make our way out into the stars and become a part of an interstellar community, Earth's greatest export will probably be mercenaries.

[headquarters]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

I have a problem with extreme peace movement such as Gandhi's and many of the "Green Parties" in general. Well, maybe not a problem --they're composed of good, well-intentioned people I'd probably like -- but I think they're generally unrealistic. The human species is basically a great ape with an enlarged brain, and we still have a lot of our primitive instincts, such as territoriality, aggression, extreme competitiveness -- our instincts have yet to catch up with our brainpower in the evolution game.

Robert Heinlein once said that if we do finally make our way out into the stars and become a part of an interstellar community, Earth's greatest export will probably be mercenaries.

I guess there are nuances to our destructive behaviour - compassion , selflessness

good sides too..

[FMDeCorba]

The human species is basically a great ape with an enlarged brain, and we still have a lot of our primitive instincts, such as territoriality, aggression, extreme competitiveness -- our instincts have yet to catch up with our brainpower in the evolution game.

Yes and no.
Unfortunately, people tend to forget that stuff like compassion and a capacity for moral behaviour also have stood the prolonged test of evolution, and for good reason, since we are social animals and have always relied on cooperation for survival.

[Mohoender]

Originally Posted by FMDeCorba

Yes and no.
Unfortunately, people tend to forget that stuff like compassion and a capacity for moral behaviour also have stood the prolonged test of evolution, and for good reason, since we are social animals and have always relied on cooperation for survival.

True, true. The apes with the smallest brains rely on brutal force to enslave those with compassion thus getting their cooperation while justifying their position through the chanel of a righteous moral behaviour.

[FMDeCorba]

Originally Posted by Mohoender

True, true. The apes with the smallest brains rely on brutal force to enslave those with compassion thus getting their cooperation while justifying their position through the chanel of a righteous moral behaviour.

Ha ha ha! Actually, every single human being is the pinnacle of a long evolutionary chain, stupid and brutal or smart and compassionate. Perhaps the absolutely most successful genes balances brains and brawn? The gem of nature is Joe average