Why do you need to go out of your way to compare two or more completely different periods in human history? No moment in time is better or worse than any other. Different yes, better/worse absolutely not. Too many factors to take into account to gain an objective perspective. In fact, I'd venture to say that such comparisons do more harm than good simply because they hold the potential to allow someone to rationalize irrational behavior.
Regardless, you took that post and marginalized it by pointing to various points in human history completely out of context. You even disregarded the part of his post that points to the build up of this disaster over time. Nothing exists in a vacuum.
For the sake of argument, I'll entertain this comparison business. You seem to convienently leave out the devestating nature of the current human condition. Why do you think your food is only $10? Industrial agriculture fueled by cheap oil and cash crops (GMOS are taking over the world). You think that the earth can sustain that? HA. And do you think being able to walk to the supermarket is a privlidge when you walk home eating an apple doused in Round Up? And what happens when there are no mountaintops left to supply the dirty coal that powers your precious home? Oh and you know where that computer goes when you want a new one? China where it is dismantled for parts by unprotected children and then dumped in rivers, fields, etc... where it becomes toxic waste which makes it back to US soil not long after your new computer is sitting at your doorstep.
He's not bitching, he CARES. Being grateful is one thing, but sitting idly by while the world turns to shit and then some is pathetic. We can't just get up and leave this life behind simply becase other people don't have it as good as us. We stay and make change because those children would not be starving in Africa if of wasn't for greedy governments and corporations that feed off our addictions.
So I ask, which would you prefer: the swift, firm smack from reality when you don't do your duties to survive as a human being, or a slow, painful death that occurs when you become addicted to the lazy, unsustainable lifestyle of 'kings.' I prefer the term pigs over kings myself.
My point was in reference to the other poster, is that bad shit is ALWAYS happening. A bad weekend in chicago and a couple storms doesnt mean jack shit. Typical american only thinking about there own country. 50+ people are probably murdered every day in some cities. Oh but wait, there not in the states so who cares right.
Storms? Humanity has always had to deal with them. Infact, nowadays they arent jack shit because now we've got the technology to be able to survive for long periods of time from a average sized backpack. We also have the UN and govt to come save us when that shit happens too. Didnt have that 100+ years ago, not nearly as good atleast.
My point was not how good we have it in the western world, but how bad it is in the rest of the world. Its just so stupid to start talking about tents and the world ending when in reality.. the world is still ticking on over, it just now has an oil spill. Oh wait, we already have massive oil spills ALL THE TIME they just dont effect the US, so they dont matter, right?
Personally i am VERY concious of my actions and i do everything i possibly can to keep my country beautiful. However, i cant do anything more than that, i cant fly over to the US with a big cork and put it in that fucking hole bp has made. Thats not in my power. Whats in my power is picking up rubbish when i see it, using the right trash cans, using paper instead of plastic, recycling things, using minimal power, from hydro at that. Buying locally grown food. Catching public transport everyday. Planting trees.
You fucking name it, i do it. Im more green than most people you'll ever meet. But saying that, i can only do so much. I am forced to create waste because of the environment im in, because of my job, because of my country. Everyone is. Its the actions you chose to make in those set of limitations that dictates what kind of person you are.
What i was getting at with the 'on the bad buzz scale', is that crime is VERY low and living standards very high(all through out the world) compared to all other times in history.
Human rights, international law. These things never existed till recently.
