# Did man failure to live in one planet together? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 8, 2003, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362 "2003-01-08T20:26:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![dantep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b782af/32.png) [@dantep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantep)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/41 "2003-01-13T20:56:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bryan Ekers \* > **(…) I need only list a number of engineering and artistic accomplishments to counter the “failure” idea, plus point to the fact that although war and disease continue, the overall human population is steadily rising. If anything, I’d describe the human species as a wild success.** Ok, Bryan. I think we all agree that from the biological point of view the human specie is indeed a wild success, as mentioned above. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bryan Ekers \* > \*\*Certainly, no action by another person is going to make _me_ conclude my life is a failure, nor cause me to beg forgiveness from anyone or anything. \*\* Nobody is asking you to conclude your life is a failure. Although, I think there´s great possibility that mankind´s today situation (to most of us a D+) is in certain matter due to attitudes like yours. And now, I quote John Lennon for you: "Imagine there’s no heaven It’s easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today… Imagine there’s no countries It isn’t hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace… You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world… You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will be as one." ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/42 "2003-01-13T22:18:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantep \* > \*\*Although, I think there´s great possibility that mankind´s today situation (to most of us a D+) is in certain matter due to attitudes like yours. \*\* Only a D+ ??? And what would be an ‘A’ ? Living in some kind of fantastic ‘Star Trek’ world with perfect peace, happiness and no disease? Good luck. This is a fallen world and some of us are doing the best we can. I find Bryan Ekers post to be, if a little blunt, to be at least honest and realistic. But that’s me. Please, no more song lyrics. God Bless. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/43 "2003-01-13T22:29:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantep \* > Nobody is asking you to conclude your life is a failure. Well, I’m human and thus part of humanity, and you’ve asked if humanity is a failure. > [@](#): > > And now, I quote John Lennon for you: There is a precious irony in a man who had at least a hundred million dollars asking us to “Imagine no possessions.” The melody of _Imagine_ is pleasant, though repetitive and bland, but the message is completely empty, as was the original post of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Saen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Saen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/44 "2003-01-13T22:40:40Z")
I would like to ecplain what I meant by humans not doing a great job as a species. Cus, I agree with the others that as an earth species, we are doing perty darn good. What I meant was , that relative to man’s own morals and goals we are not doing too great of a job. And that striving for “excellence” while failing to impliment it on most occassions means, to me, that we are not living up to our potential, and compared to man’s desires, we are a violent/warlike species. ---
**Author:** ![dantep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b782af/32.png) [@dantep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantep)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/45 "2003-01-14T11:22:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BMalion \* > **And what would be an ‘A’ ? Living in some kind of fantastic ‘Star Trek’ world with perfect peace, happiness and no disease? Good luck. This is a fallen world and some of us are doing the best we can.** That’s exactly the point of this discussion. This description for an “A” world is the kind of one people like you AND I can give, since most of our needs are satisfied. As mentioned above, we have different standards for measure. The problem is that human has certain basic standards that are not being accomplished at all for most of us on this planet. Take some African countries for instance. A cup of rice for an Ethiopian would take him to “Star Trek World”. Do you see the difference? > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BMalion \* > **Please, no more song lyrics.** – No comments – ---
**Author:** ![dantep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b782af/32.png) [@dantep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantep)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/46 "2003-01-14T11:35:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bryan Ekers \* > \*\*The melody of _Imagine_ is pleasant, though repetitive and bland, but the message is completely empty, as was the original post of this thread. \*\* If it’s so empty why are you still here? Please, don’t bother sending anymore replies. You’re such a pain in the \*\*\*. You look like a 12 year old boy answering the questions. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/47 "2003-01-14T12:58:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantep \* > \*\*That’s exactly the point of this discussion. This description for an “A” world is the kind of one people like you AND I can give, since most of our needs are satisfied. As mentioned above, we have different standards for measure. The problem is that human has certain basic standards that are not being accomplished at all for most of us on this planet. Take some African countries for instance. A cup of rice for an Ethiopian would take him to “Star Trek World”. Do you see the difference? > \*\* That makes me think of a related topic. Since our forebearers did all the work of freeing our country from the British domination, we have had it pretty good. I think that many Americans from the United States just think that if somebody wanted the “good life” then by golly, just do it! Have your revolution, your war of independence, your 1776, as it were. We have many advantages in regards our resources and our geography but c’mon, we’re still fairly new on the scene, historically speaking. What’s stopping that Ethiopian from organizing and putting his country in order so he can have that cup of rice? ---
**Author:** ![Henry\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d78d45/32.png) [@Henry\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henry_B)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/48 "2003-01-14T13:50:08Z")
Welcome to the boards **dantep, Emile Whites, James Elliot** and **IMF**. So now You have met our _"You, all whiners, You_ - **Bryan** - \*I know You are a little bit Young, but…\ ***Ekers**" Anyhow, As an animal the human being is a collector and a hunter. When everything is collected, mainly by “those others”, or there is nothing to hunt anymore, the animal called Homo Sapiens, begins to show his teeth. And the conflict can begin. As a whole, Homo Sapiens still has a chance. On the other hand, upper-class brats are the shining proof of the complete success of mankind. **Why?** Becuse when they get older, they can still act like brats, and keep their position among their own sociaty. Please go on, some posts here is very interesting, on other hand do not lose to much time on…, something that is not relevant to the issue…, like me :). Henry ---
**Author:** ![zwaldd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a9adbd/32.png) [@zwaldd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwaldd)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/49 "2003-01-14T22:12:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bryan Ekers \* > \*\* Humans exploit each other. That’s what humans do. (Etc.) \*\* I agree with your position, but am surprised that you argue it. As one who has accepted ‘what is’ (money talks, etc.), you must also realize that some people will go down kicking and screaming to the end. ---
**Author:** ![IMF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/6de8d8/32.png) [@IMF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMF)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2003, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/50 "2003-01-15T03:21:37Z")
This sentence is being written after I have erased about 5 different beginnings. I just find it a waste of time. What’s the whole point? I had to read about a non-sense Oprah-like kind of answer like: why don’t the ethiopians make their own revolution? Who’s stopping them? Or: I prefer to amuse myself making fun of your statements. Well, as one of my last time wasting my time in this discussion, I share some thoughts. Bryan, if you want to ammuse yourself, believe me, there are many other and better things. Maybe you haven’t tried them yet. BMailon, do a favor to yourself and keep from asking such questions. I don’t even think it’s worth answering you. Once and for all, the point being discussed here covers the majority of world population, who don’t live in proper conditions. Whether anyone is being realistic and honest about what everyone already knows simply don’t answer the question. Contradictions seem to have prevailed in the discussion. I saw people saying that life is rough, politicians lie, bullets are there to resolve problems, etc and still giving mankind an A. So, I don’t see any possibility of improvement in this discussion. So, I will rest my case. Cheers and thank you all very much. Alea jacta est. IMF * * * ‘Living is easy with eyes closed, Misunderstanding all you see.’ (Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2003, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/51 "2003-01-15T04:32:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantep \* > \*\*If it’s so empty why are you still here? Please, don’t bother sending anymore replies. You’re such a pain in the \*\*\*. You look like a 12 year old boy answering the questions. :smack: \*\* Well, don’t ask me a question and then tell me not to reply. That’s just plain silly. And you can say “ass”. I don’t mind. As for my apparant age, I must point out that silly questions (like yours) often invite smart-ass replies (like mine). ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2003, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/52 "2003-01-15T04:47:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by IMF \* > Well, as one of my last time wasting my time in this discussion, I share some thoughts. Bryan, if you want to ammuse yourself, believe me, there are many other and better things. Maybe you haven’t tried them yet. Why that’s the most amusing thing I’ve heard today. Countering to your arguments requires the merest fraction of a fraction of my intellect and only a minute or two at a time; easy to pull off during the not-infrequent feminine hygiene product commercials while I wait for _Jeopardy_ to return. > [@](#): > > Once and for all, the point being discussed here covers the majority of world population, who don’t live in proper conditions. Whether anyone is being realistic and honest about what everyone already knows simply don’t answer the question. Okay, there **is** misery and there **is** starvation, but using these to conclude that mankind is a failure is illogical. It would be far better to contemplate mankind’s successes, and contemplate using these successes to alleviate suffering. I look forward to genetically-modified crops, myself, though I have no illusions that brutal power struggles and corruption in the poorest nations will prevent many of the benefits from reaching those that need them. Humanity: I give a B+, with the + coming when Apollo 11 touched down. I think it’ll get an A- when democracy and capitalism become majority systems, and an A when worldwide life expectancy reaches 75 or so. And “Living is easy with eyes closed” ? Uh, no it isn’t. If it was, how could Baby drive my car? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2003, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/53 "2003-01-15T04:48:33Z")
Hmm, grammatical errors in the above post. Perhaps instead of dedicating a fraction of a fraction of my intellect, I should give a whole fraction. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362/54 "2003-01-15T15:07:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bryan Ekers \* > \*\*Hmm, grammatical errors in the above post. Perhaps instead of dedicating a fraction of a fraction of my intellect, I should give a whole fraction. \*\* I am still laughing… it’s been 5 minutes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-man-failure-to-live-in-one-planet-together/147362.md?page=2)