Humanity's Progression, higher social order or relative social destruction? Options

[pandora]

Is the current state and progression of humanity leading towards a higher social order, or is it leading towards a relative social destruction?


I'm attempting to filter out the dumb asses by stating my question in a way they won't understand it.

[Simba]

And what would the current state/progression of humanity be at the moment? I think with the way you stated it, it's just too broad; different places with different people are at different levels.

Some people are screwing themselves, others got it down.

Looking at America primarily, I'd probably say we're screwing ourselves. But maybe that's because my opinion on general America is that the people are ignorant.

[DoubleJ]

And what would the current state/progression of humanity be at the moment? I think with the way you stated it, it's just too broad; different places with different people are at different levels.

Some people are screwing themselves, others got it down.

Looking at America primarily, I'd probably say we're screwing ourselves. But maybe that's because my opinion on general America is that the people are ignorant.

I totally agree with Americans as being ignorant. I know before that I said, if you don't like it here get out, but it is true, that we are an ignorant people. I think the fact that there is a class system, and advantages for a certain group, but not for others, is sickening.

[pandora]

And what would the current state/progression of humanity be at the moment?

i'm leaving that open ended.

[DoubleJ]

Maybe humanity will progress, when everyone can learn to respect each others beliefs and values. Hell will freeze over before that though.

[Simba]

Kinda stagnant at the moment.

[heyo-captain-jac...]

Social Destruction. Somewhat obvious to me. Could easily be my opinion though.

[Simba]

^ That would've been my initial reply too, but after considering some history and ish, I had to take a step back.

I would say more of what I mean, but my mind just can't collect the information at the moment.

[DoubleJ]

My brain has been on standby for the past week.

[brooklyneast05]

Maybe humanity will progress, when everyone can learn to respect each others beliefs and values. Hell will freeze over before that though.

that won't happen because...some peoples values and beliefs don't deserve respect. claiming something as a belief doesn't mean it's untouchable and the rest of us should bow down and respect it.

respecting peoples beliefs for no reason other than they are beliefs isn't going to lead to humanities progression.

to break it down, i'm saying:

we can't progress very far dragging wagons of bullshit behind us

[transcendentalis...]

ap tests speak for themselves. the older tests from the 80's are significantly more difficult than the ones from the 90's, and the tests from the 90's are more difficult than the tests from 2000+. however, this doesn't mean that we are edging to a higher social order - the distance between the ap (or ib) kids, the honor students, and the "regular" students gradually gets wider as wider as the kids with parents who don't care enough to push their kids pass on the same trait of indifference.

the people that realize that china and india are gradually overtaking the so-called american "dominance" will make a greater effort to better their education, hopefully well enough to encourage free thinking towards a positive goal.

that's only education-wise.

i'll write more later... i don't know how good of an idea it is to address education, morals and ethics, and other subjects in one little post.

[fameONE]

Postmodernism is a term applied to a wide-ranging set of developments in critical theory, philosophy, architecture, art, literature, and culture, which are generally characterized as either emerging from, in reaction to, or superseding, modernism, which is equally esoteric.

Postmodernism plays a major role in social progression. The free mind can wander outside of the state's rigid way of thinking and the people, collectively, can express themselves and enjoy life through outlets like song, dance, literature, etc. As long as humankind can keep the "arts" alive, humankind can progress.

I bring this is up because it is important to understand how important the "arts" are in today's day and age. A cynical perspective is borderline realistic. Just stop and think about the crime, the loopholes in the justice system, political affairs, poverty, and the like; all of the negative aspects of life are enough to drive people mad. From that perspective, humanity is dying. Humankind will perish and all the ideas will follow suit.

[michellerrific]

I think that this question kind of depends on specifically what location you'd refer to. As we progress into society, mankind is pretty much all over themselves: everything is done for us and we don't have to twitch a muscle. All this technology is making us lazy and listless. So in other words, we (i.e. USA) are going to be in danger someday, since technology progresses almost faster than our own minds can handle. But in other countries, such as those in Africa, for example; they're progressing the other way around. Those countries (or at least some people from there) are attempting to catch up. The only thing they want is to become at least a stable country, while people like us are experience all this luxury. They probably know what they're doing more than we do, because their eyes are more open.

Yeah, not sure what I really said in the end, maybe I can clarify myself better later.

[NoSex]

Maybe humanity will progress, when everyone can learn to respect each others beliefs and values.

we can't progress very far dragging wagons of bullshit behind us

JC is right. Respecting beliefs merely because they are beliefs is foolish, destructive, and regressive. In order for society to progress we must resist the urge of stagnation. Societies, all over the world, are resistant to change. Ethnocentrism is a powerful force. However, we must, in order to actually change and grow, deny those beliefs and ideas that are repressing us - those ideas that are counter revolutionary.

We need to take up arms for change and have the courage and resolution to fight those beliefs and ideas that poison our society (identifying those ideas is something altogether, ha).

that's only education-wise.

Our education system can suck it - it's designed by the state in the interest of the state. Very few institutions are actually built to encourage individualism, critical thinking, and self-exploration. If anything, if we hope to progress our society, we need to begin by dismantling our educational system and promoting a new paradigm revolving around actually education and not simply social rearing and conditioning.

As goes my own feelings on the matter, I'll have to side with my man Nietzsche:
In order to truly build the bridge to the overman we must first accept nihilism as a necessary evil. Our society is so imposing, so forceful and ever-present, that it can not be defeated by reform. Instead, we must totally obliterate it and build up from the ashes. Destroy the old way so that the new shall have even the slightest chance to prosper.

[transcendentalis...]

Our education system can suck it - it's designed by the state in the interest of the state. Very few institutions are actually built to encourage individualism, critical thinking, and self-exploration. If anything, if we hope to progress our society, we need to begin by dismantling our educational system and promoting a new paradigm revolving around actually education and not simply social rearing and conditioning.

emerson, ftw?

it's disappointing that only such a select few can actually become free thinkers, which decreases the chance of geniuses to reform the public. the rest of humanity currently is unable to rationally carry on a mental autocracy, and the ones with mind enough to prosper don't have mind enough to propel a 21st century renaisssance.

[DoubleJ]

As far as education goes I agree with you. Our children are not being taught the right way of how to do things, and as a result, we are just putting through kids that don't have a clue, and who aren't ready for the challenge of the next level. Obama said in his debate that he would discontinue the No Child Left Behind act because of this, and I agree with him. Too many people want to devote their focus to the gifted children, without making sure that those "who don't have it," are getting the same amount of attention. Standardized test are contributing to the downfall of our society.

[transcendentalis...]

without standardized testing, what would colleges and universities use to pick their students?

the school system sucks - we know. each district has its own standards and ranking #1 in one school and #1 in another could be entirely different. gpa is rather wonky as well. until we find a flat, nationwide (or even worldwide) system for education (which might never happen as far as i know), standardized testing is essential.

not to be offensive, but why shouldn't the gifted kids get more attention? technically, they're supposed to have more potential. kids that are in regulars with gifted potential are lazy... or have overwhelming lives as is don't need more people breathing down their backs. and the regular kids with the average learning speed and capacity... let's face it. competition is only getting harder, and social darwinism is something we can't change.

regular kids with average learning speed and capacity CAN make it into the gifted programs or classes; i know a few that made it through sheer work and they've got all my respect. they've got more respect from me than i do for the valedictorian of my class (also one of my closest friends).

in the future, i think average and above average jobs will be taken by either the hardworking, the talented, or the lucky... everyone else is stuck where they are.

by lucky i mean the people who win the genetic lottery and are all 6'2" with perfect noses and don't age so they model for eighty years and become rich.

[DoubleJ]

I totally see your point Ruth, and I thought the last paragraph was funny. When I said standardized testing should be discontinued, I meant as far as passing kids through the lower grades before they get to high school. In NY for example, the school system is very f**ked up due to the tests pushing forward kids who aren't ready.

The gifted kids should get attention, but who knows how many regular kids would get their chance to shine if shown the same amount of attention as their gifted peers. I know kids that I went to high school with, who are smarter than the ones who graduated at the top of the class, but just didn't get the chance, because of the lack of attention from the faculty. If the gifted kids are so gifted, then they should be able to handle the workload with little attention no? I am one to talk, because I was in the gifted kid class, so I know how it goes already, but I have seen kids get neglected, because people wanted to focus on the good as opposed to not trying to make everybody better.

The competition is definitely getting harder, and the kids who are average have no chance against the kids who have it all. Sometimes people (like me) need that extra push to bring it out of them. Others (again like me lol!) are late bloomers.

My hope is that somewhere down the line, kids in school will be given a chance to learn equally, and not be discriminated against just because they aren't smart enough, or quick learners.

[*Steven*]

Mmm, very interesting points! I'll get around to reading what they are later!

[transcendentalis...]

oh, i'm sorry for misunderstanding you :/

as for regular kids, all they need for a chance to shine is self-motivation. in elementary school, getting told your name's going to be put on a wall is enough to get them motivated, but eventually they all see that it doesn't mean a lot, if anything (and then there are some kids in elementary school who just don't care in the first place). we need to continuously push kids NOW and get them to become success stories to inspire the others to become success stories of their own, or whatever it is that they feel they should excel in.

sometime around high school, i feel like kids should be treated more like college students... because very few people honestly care enough to mother them (which imo, is destructive as it makes people dependent) and be a source of strength without a student going up to a teacher to genuinely express interest in improvement.

no, no one should get neglected - of course. but i see extensive amounts of attention to kids who don't have the genetic potential or self-motivation to be a waste. throw them success stories and whatever it is that people use to inspire, and the ones who are worth paying attention to will flock to you.

i think that the gifted kids will just get more attention naturally because more of them will question and organize to reach what they feel that they're missing. teachers are just naturally inclined to pass on their knowledge to the gifted and curious - isn't that how applying to college works?

i'm putting hardworking under the category of gifted for now.

[chrislagace]

well i own. and it seems like most people on Cb stay civil towards each other regardless of color, sex, religion, type of shoes, so that owns too. i think we are going to be ok

[NoSex]

well i own. and it seems like most people on Cb stay civil towards each other regardless of color, sex, religion, type of shoes, so that owns too. i think we are going to be ok

What the f**k is this "tolerance will save us all" mantra everyone keeps screaming? f**k you're tolerance. I'm intolerant of you tolerance.

[Sumiaki]

Social Destruction.

Technology will be our downfall.

Cure? Hug someone once in a while. Or at least shake their hand.

[EddieV]

It has been stated that civilization spawned from the Middle East, and shall end there.

Technology will be our downfall.

Technology has gotten us really far, however they've also made us weaker as human beings.

[demolished]

It depends on how you look at it.


Human are gradually becoming advance in science, technology, academic, and etc, but it's not always the case. At the same time, technology makes us vulnerable to laziness and keeping us from reaching our potential when everyone just sits on their asses in front of their computer. Technology is a lame excuse for us to avoid doing the dirty work with too much effort. Not to mention, many of my friends does not have clear goals for their future. It’s not that they're stupid; they aren’t interactive with the real world, and not understanding how things work. They just stay home and chill, missing out in reality.

Therefore, it's really base on how you look at it. People are different. Societies influence us in many ways that defines the way we think, object, and absorb information. The places you were raise somewhat reflect the outlook of your life. Different class of people plays a large role in many parts of the world. If you were in Asia living with a typical Asian family, you are generally forced to do well in school. In America, it can be totally a different story.

There are two types of people. One is committed is become interactive with the world. The other one does not.

[Simba]

What the f**k is this "tolerance will save us all" mantra everyone keeps screaming? f**k you're tolerance. I'm intolerant of you tolerance.

While I get what you're saying, I wouldn't go as far as saying forget tolerance completely. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure we'd take a couple steps back to racism and the inquisition and all that ish. I say tolerance is cool, but not to the point that you become oblivious because of it.

It has been stated that civilization spawned from the Middle East, and shall end there.
Technology has gotten us really far, however they've also made us weaker as human beings.

Word, technology's our tool, but usually people end up becoming dependent on technology and forget how to cope without it when they need to.