If you could change one thing... Options

[Mistress Bags]

If you could change one the in the world, what would it be? Nothing that would affect you directly, but something, rather, that affects the entire world, something that makes a positive difference.

[*This Confession*]

Hmm, really this is a difficult question.
May I ask what you would choose and why you picked it?
What made you come up with this idea to ask this question as well?


edit

[*WHIMSICAL 0NE*]

(I like your topic ideas)

Hm, like ANYTHING?
I think I would like it if there was more understanding in the world. I think that a lot of people tend to hate what they don't understand. So maybe if there was more understanding there'd be more equality. And more love. A domino effect. lol.

[Mistress Bags]

Hmm, really this is a difficult question.
May I ask what you would choose and why you picked it?
What made you come up with this idea to ask this question as well?
I'll have to think of this a little longer, I think mostly it would be to end world hunger. I think that would be good for everyone, people die from that. But of course places are overly populated I suppose people could stop that if they tried.

I think too much. I tend to ask myself questions like this all of the time.

My answer? I have many answers, so choosing one that is most important would be rather difficult.
Hmm.
I guess I would say I wish people were made to be more appreciative of others' differences. This flaw of mankind has always been the main cause of minor and major disputes all throughout history. If we were able to be ourselves without fearing other people (not just cruel remarks from fellow peers, but even war!), then we would be much happier. There would have been less war and deaths through history, and everyone in the world would be a free people.

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

I'd make everybody accept that PLUTO IS NOT A PLANET ANYMORE.

[iDecay]

*starts singing "What the World Needs now"*


.. is love, sweet love. Wow. I'm lame.

[*This Confession*]

I think too much. I tend to ask myself questions like this all of the time.

My answer? I have many answers, so choosing one that is most important would be rather difficult.
Hmm.
I guess I would say I wish people were made to be more appreciative of others' differences. This flaw of mankind has always been the main cause of minor and major disputes all throughout history. If we were able to be ourselves without fearing other people (not just cruel remarks from fellow peers, but even war!), then we would be much happier. There would have been less war and deaths through history, and everyone in the world would be a free people.

I'm sorry but you remind me of myself so much.


This does sound very thoughtful, I wish it could happen as well but it probably won't ever. Maybe one day though, maybe maybe maybe.




I think its stupid how Pluto isn't a planet anymore, if they said it was once they should have kept it that way, lying to us once again. I don't trust the news or goverment anymore. Maybe I never have I suppose if they really honestly thought it was and did a lot of research that made a lot of sense it why they thought it was and then why it isn't anymore. I wouldn't have a problem with it. But I haven't seen that imformation yet.

[Mistress Bags]

I do? Ha, well I can't say since I don't really know you. Your name is Holly, yes?

And as nice as it sounds, it will never be accomplished. Never. Mankind is too proud, too ignorant. People like us will always be the minority.

[*This Confession*]

-shrugs- Doesn't mean you can't ever think about it though.
And yes my name is Holly, and yours?

[Mistress Bags]

But obviously I do spend a lot of time thinking about it. It's why I'm so cynical and bitter.

My name is Criss. :]

[*RiC3xBoy*]

I would make Elaine realize that Pluto IS A PLANET.

[bballchick1]

I'd definitely make the world more peaceful and loving.

The world needs some SERIOUS love right now.

And, yeah, you make good topics!

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

I would make Elaine realize that Pluto IS A PLANET.

NEVERRR!

[Dreamers]

uhhhhh,make society realizr, whats on the inside matters, accept people as they are, dont mold them into what you want.

[*Azarel*]

I'd definitely choose to make the people in the world more informed, more alert, less ignorant. It's pathetic how many (or little) people out there actually stand out above the rest.

[*Shinji_Mimura*]

Have the US share the wealth.

Give everyone puppies.

This post has been edited by Shinji_Mimura: Aug 30 2006, 12:23 AM

[*Azarel*]

^ Except, you know, we're in debt. Huge debt.

http://brillig.com/debt_clock

[*mipadi*]

^ Except, you know, we're in debt. Huge debt.

http://brillig.com/debt_clock

That's not to say we're not a wealthy nation.

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

Have the US share the wealth.

Give everyone puppies.

YAY PUPPIES!

I'd get everyone to realize that the environment is getting worse because of global warming..

[no-name]

I would get of arrogant morons and end hatred between everyone

[*Azarel*]

That's not to say we're not a wealthy nation.

I know. Our economy is rich, and the average standard of living here is pretty high, true, but, in reference to Jose's post, how would we share that wealth (since we're in debt)? That's why I pointed it out.

[*mipadi*]

I know. Our economy is rich, and the average standard of living here is pretty high, true, but, in reference to Jose's post, how would we share that wealth (since we're in debt)? That's why I pointed it out.

Being in debt doesn't necessarily equate to not being able to share wealth. Look at the United States' GDP: we're first in total GDP with $12.93 trillion, and third in GDP per capita, at $43,555 per capita (only Norway and Luxembourg rank above us). That's a lot of wealth right there. Collectively, as a country (including all the people in it), the US is wealthy—and has enough to spread around. The dollar itself is still strong—not as strong as it was, and it slips a bit from time to time, but still fairly strong.

[Jeng]

OMG YOU MADE SO MANY TOPICS.its proably like39454 pages for me to post in all of them.and theyre really good ones and you just joined, omg. and alreayd have 300 something posts.omg.not that its a problem.okay back to the topic.--
lol puppies.uhm. i would change... the sstupid terrorism, stupid war stuff.uhm.peace.
i agree with anna.

I'd definitely choose to make the people in the world more informed, more alert, less ignorant. It's pathetic how many (or little) people out there actually stand out above the rest.

[Mistress Bags]

OMG YOU MADE SO MANY TOPICS.its proably like39454 pages for me to post in all of them.and theyre really good ones and you just joined, omg. and alreayd have 300 something posts.omg.not that its a problem.

I really only have about 70 posts. I had an admin combine my old account's post count with this one.

[Jeng]

o lol, hehe :]
sorry

[ParanoidAndroid]

Maybe getting rid of the human trait, greed, would be nice. I mean, sure we can share our wealth to other nations, but that won't stop things like stealing or corruption, etc. You can give a millions of dollars to a leader of a country for him to improve the economy but he can get greedy and use it for his own good. If there wasn't greed in the first place, then we could share our money...

[*Kathleen*]

I think too much. I tend to ask myself questions like this all of the time.

My answer? I have many answers, so choosing one that is most important would be rather difficult.
Hmm.
I guess I would say I wish people were made to be more appreciative of others' differences. This flaw of mankind has always been the main cause of minor and major disputes all throughout history. If we were able to be ourselves without fearing other people (not just cruel remarks from fellow peers, but even war!), then we would be much happier. There would have been less war and deaths through history, and everyone in the world would be a free people.

YES. No religious wars. Women would be equal to men from the get-go... No ancient wars killing off people of another race.. just because they're of a particular race (i.e. China and Japan). In modern day, people would accept others more freely. There'd be no outcasts just because he doesn't dress cool.. or looks different. That would be nice. The only thing is that that wouldn't have prevented slavery. But yes, I fully agree. Sorry for stealing your answer.

I'd definitely choose to make the people in the world more informed, more alert, less ignorant. It's pathetic how many (or little) people out there actually stand out above the rest.

[goodcharlotte]

Women were worshiped by the Sumerians and other civilizations near that time around 3000 and 2000 BCE. Anyway, I would change the attitude on life in general. People commit suicide and other things without realizing the value of life. It pisses me off sometimes.

[*Kathleen*]

^ I didn't know that, but as far as I know.. that's about it. Yes, we had female goddesses and deities and all that jazz, but common women weren't respected as much and had many disablities (political/power-wise).

[goodcharlotte]

Actually the women held many of the same positions as men in the Sumerian times. In fact they held every postition a man could and did.

Okay moving on. I also want to eliminate the negative perspective on things. Sure they are useful but people become to catious.

[NoSex]

"The idea of God is the sole wrong for which I cannot forgive mankind."
-- Marquis de Sade, Aline et Valcour

Uhhmmm. This one is easy.
I would destroy all spirituality. Religion would be so gone.

[Mistress Bags]

"The idea of God is the sole wrong for which I cannot forgive mankind."
-- Marquis de Sade, Aline et Valcour

Uhhmmm. This one is easy.
I would destroy all spirituality. Religion would be so gone.

You are the most brilliant person I have seen on this forum. Every single one of your posts that I have read has completely impressed me.

[angelrevelation]

i would change having to always be politically correct in school and other public things...

and there is STILL lots of racism around, so i would stop that.

[x_curse_of_the_c...]

I'd make everybody accept that PLUTO IS NOT A PLANET ANYMORE.

its classified as a dwarf planet its still a planet!! im a showoff!

[*yrrnotelekktric*]

i would change people's ideas.
somehow.

[*mipadi*]

You are the most brilliant person I have seen on this forum. Every single one of your posts that I have read has completely impressed me.

I don't mean to offend or call anyone out, but how exactly is it "brilliant" to post a rant against religion and spirituality without even explaining one's position? There's a pretty big anti-religion bias among the "intellectual elite" that seems misguided in a way. I don't see anything wrong with a person holding religious or spiritual beliefs. Organized religion, of course, is misguided, but organized religion is hardly about religion—it's about politics. Quoting from Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash, page 64:

"I know. That's exactly the problem. Ninety-nine percent of everything that goes on in most Christian churches has nothing whatsoever to do with the actual religion. Intelligent people all notice this sooner or later, and they concede that the entire one hundred percent is bullshit, which is why atheism is connected with being intelligent in people's minds.

Indeed, organized religion is little more than a virus; quoting again from Stephenson, Snow Crash, page 187:

Hiro puts his head in his hands. He's not exactly thinking about this; he's letting it ricochet around in his skull, waiting for it to come to rest. "Wait a minute, Juanita. Make up your mind. This Snow Crash thing—is it a virus, a drug, or a religion?"

Juanita shrugs. "What's the difference?"

Being against organized religion makes sense. Organized religion is nothing but a rigid hierarchy meant to control people. But I don't really see why spirituality or religion itself is such a bad thing (especially spirituality). If it gives guidance and meaning to a person's life, and it stays personal, what's so bad about it?

[Mistress Bags]

I don't mean to offend or call anyone out, but how exactly is it "brilliant" to post a rant against religion and spirituality without even explaining one's position? There's a pretty big anti-religion bias among the "intellectual elite" that seems misguided in a way. I don't see anything wrong with a person holding religious or spiritual beliefs. Organized religion, of course, is misguided, but organized religion is hardly about religion—it's about politics.

I'm not against religion, and I don't think she's brilliant for being against religion, I just think it has caused so much unnecessary issues in this world.

[Jeng]

I'm not against religion, and I don't think she's brilliant for being against religion, I just think it has caused so much unnecessary issues in this world.

that she's not a she, she's a he. :]

[*mipadi*]

I'm not against religion, and I don't think she's brilliant for being against religion, I just think it has caused so much unnecessary issues in this world.

Organized religion, yes, but what's the problem with a person's spirituality?

[EddieV]

I would change times, move us into the future.

[Mistress Bags]

that she's not a she, she's a he. :]

Ooops!

And Mipadi, you've got me there. I wasn't really clear, but yes, that's what I meant. I didn't intend to be offensive, but I wasn't thinking when I made that comment.

[goodcharlotte]

i would change people's ideas.
somehow.

Use a mind controlling device.

[*yrrnotelekktric*]

^
go make one !

and then we could rule the world!

[goodcharlotte]

^
go make one !

and then we could rule the world!

Yes master.

[*yrrnotelekktric*]

so, tell me one you`re done.
or build a magic wand!
and then people can obey you and stuff!
yeah ok i`ll stoppppp.

[NoSex]

Organized religion, yes, but what's the problem with a person's spirituality?

I should have made my statement a bit more clear.
I'm against dogmatism. Spirituality can only survive within dogmatic parimeters.
To be a spiritualist it is inevitable that you are going to hold beliefs in face of contrary or inadequate evidence. I think spirituality decapitates more meaningful human relations. I also think it is a dangerous and negative force in many people's lives. Organized religion and individual spirituality are both baseless systems. They are upheld by nothing but human emotionalism, insecurity, fear, and false hope. I don't think life should be shrouded in lies, let alone unfounded and misguided lies. I think that, as human beings, we could work towards a more meaningful, more progressive, and more beautiful future given the demise of dogmatisms such as spirituality.

How can you find something wrong with organized religion, but not individual spirituality? They are two sides of the same coin. They are both self-built prisons. One is just supported institutionally, while another by unmitigated personal and emotional ignorance.

Further, if organized religion is about "politics," what is simple "religion" about?
Is not spirituality a drug in of itself? Is not organized religion simply a distribution system used to traffic said drug? Should we just loathe its distributors? Or should we loathe the drug itself?

I just don't see how the poison of organized religion is not shared inside individual spirituality? Are they not held in the same dogmatic vain? Do both not obscure reality?

I find organized religion to be rather destestable, but I find it detestable for many of the same reasons that I detest spirituality in general. Where is it that you find this significant and distinct seperation? Where exactly is it that organized religion is misguided where individual spirituality - still blindingly unsubstantiated, driven by faith - is not?

[clarity]

I'd have to say world peace.
What? I do care.

[xMayleex]

Hum.

Spread awareness throughout the world, stop ignorance, people seem to be ignorant towards things they don't understand. They will say whatever they will without even trying to understand what they are talking about. Seems to me also that people will belittle something they don't believe in, so .. yeah that =]

[*mipadi*]

I don't think spirituality necessarily equates to dogmatism. One of the core concepts of Snow Crash, which I'll synthesize and expand upon here, is the idea of informational viruses; that is, information that spreads from one carrier to the next, unchanged. Organized religion is more often than not an example of this. Religions often dictate that the "word of God" be written down unchanged. Islam promotes this; Christianity does, too, especially with handwritten Bibles—monks were strictly forced to copy the Bible exactly.

But those are teachings of organized religion, not spirituality. Believing in a God or gods does not necessarily mean that a person holds a set of principles as "incontrovertibly true" (to quote the definition of dogma). Jesus never really suggested this. People were never meant to idolize Jesus and believe only his word; that's why his tomb was empty after his death, as a sign that his teachings should be learned, and that he shouldn't be idolized.

So there's no reason why spirituality has to equate to dogma. A person can be spiritual and still examine his beliefs, still analyze what he was taught. If a person is learning, not merely following, then it's not dogma—and not all spiritual systems, not even most, force a person to blindly follow their teachings. The organization of that spiritual system might, but the system itself generally encourages a person to look at things more closely, to not blindly follow.

And in the end, what is science, or philosophy, or things of that nature, but a belief system of a different variety? The Truth is difficult to prove. Science might try to explain things through observation and experimentation, but in the end it requires a lot of faith in certain core concepts, too. And likewise, a person who blindly follows scientific knowledge, or philosophical thought, without thinking is just being dogmatic as well.

The key idea is the generation of new thoughts, and belief in a spiritual system does not preclude that in any way.

I should have made my statement a bit more clear.
I'm against dogmatism. Spirituality can only survive within dogmatic parimeters.
To be a spiritualist it is inevitable that you are going to hold beliefs in face of contrary or inadequate evidence. I think spirituality decapitates more meaningful human relations. I also think it is a dangerous and negative force in many people's lives. Organized religion and individual spirituality are both baseless systems. They are upheld by nothing but human emotionalism, insecurity, fear, and false hope. I don't think life should be shrouded in lies, let alone unfounded and misguided lies. I think that, as human beings, we could work towards a more meaningful, more progressive, and more beautiful future given the demise of dogmatisms such as spirituality.

How can you find something wrong with organized religion, but not individual spirituality? They are two sides of the same coin. They are both self-built prisons. One is just supported institutionally, while another by unmitigated personal and emotional ignorance.

Further, if organized religion is about "politics," what is simple "religion" about?
Is not spirituality a drug in of itself? Is not organized religion simply a distribution system used to traffic said drug? Should we just loathe its distributors? Or should we loathe the drug itself?

I just don't see how the poison of organized religion is not shared inside individual spirituality? Are they not held in the same dogmatic vain? Do both not obscure reality?

I find organized religion to be rather destestable, but I find it detestable for many of the same reasons that I detest spirituality in general. Where is it that you find this significant and distinct seperation? Where exactly is it that organized religion is misguided where individual spirituality - still blindingly unsubstantiated, driven by faith - is not?

[Jinny]

i would change backstabbers and people who judge you!
its annoying =X

[malimars]

::---- If I could change something in the world it would defiently have to do with MONEY , Like honeslty money should be free for everyone people should get sent cheques everyday , its just paper and its made in a factory . I choose money because now a days you need money for everything ex . going for a walk ( you need shoes to go outside) , owning a pet fish ( you need fish food for it to survive), putting the garbage out ( you need garbage bags) no matter what you do another item is adding on to what you will need and ALL ITEMS cost things . If money was free their would not be homeless / hungry people out there so it would either be give money free or items . Of course then people would not have to go to school or get a job to make their money but going to school is more of an education and leaning towards a good paying job and it does teach you things . I just believe money should be free it would help so much!

[hannahwiththemys...]

homelessness. but if everyone had homes there would be like no fields or anything lol