# Which of our cultural mores will make our descendants say "WTF?!" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 8, 2007, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259 "2007-12-08T04:48:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![jimmmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@jimmmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmmy)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2007, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/81 "2007-12-09T15:43:19Z")
[QUOTE=jimmmy] "_Within the borders of the U.S. we should be producing grain and every American should pay $1.00 more per more per loaf of bread to preserve this capability within our borders"_ - t. [/QUOTE] Really bad example. Horrible - because we do - because of the farm lobby - have milk subsidies etc. A better/cleaner example might be automobiles and tarrifing foreign cars. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2007, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/82 "2007-12-09T17:17:01Z")
[QUOTE=Der Trihs] What makes you think that smoking is about control of your body ? It’s addictive; smoking is about a loss of control. [/QUOTE] Control of your body includes control of what you put in it, including nicotine or alcohol or huffing paint. Cigarettes don’t light themselves and make you puff on them, a person has to choose to smoke, and they should have that right. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2007, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/83 "2007-12-09T19:37:57Z")
That everybody treated the Old Ones as if they were some kind of fiction. Not me. I’ve accepted Cthulhu into my life and I’m getting eaten first. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2007, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/84 "2007-12-09T19:58:34Z")
There was a time when horses were enslaved and women were free! People made pets of dogs and ate chickens! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2007, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/85 "2007-12-09T20:37:43Z")
OTOH, it is entirely possible that the current political controversy over abortion will continue another 100 years or more with no paradigm shifts, no major change in the lineup, and neither side gaining or losing ground significantly. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/86 "2007-12-09T20:42:56Z")
[QUOTE=Eleanor of Aquitaine] It will probably be longer than 100 years, but I think one day people will be creeped out by the fact that their ancestors ate the flesh of animals. They’ll be accustomed to eating some kind of artificially grown protein that never walked around and mooed. [/QUOTE] I think this too, and I unashamedly eat meat. It’ll probably be much further into the future, though. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2007, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/87 "2007-12-09T21:18:00Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] OTOH, it is entirely possible that the current political controversy over abortion will continue another 100 years or more with no paradigm shifts, no major change in the lineup, and neither side gaining or losing ground significantly. [/QUOTE] I think that within a hundred years artificial wombs will be perfected and available enough that fetal adoption will be a reality. That combined with better birth control (for both sexes) will make abortion extremely rare (eg the mother’s life is in danger and there’s no time to wait for an artificial womb to be prepped). ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2007, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/88 "2007-12-09T21:39:31Z")
[QUOTE=alphaboi867] I think that within a hundred years artificial wombs will be perfected and available enough that fetal adoption will be a reality. That combined with better birth control (for both sexes) will make abortion extremely rare (eg the mother’s life is in danger and there’s no time to wait for an artificial womb to be prepped). [/QUOTE] That’s one possibility. Others are discussed in [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=266192) old (2004) thread. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2007, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/89 "2007-12-09T21:42:12Z")
[QUOTE=VCO3] Since the natural state of humanity is heterosexuality . . . [/QUOTE] You mean, the natural state of the **majority** of humanity is heterosexuality. Homosexuals are so by “nature” just as much as heterosexuals are. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2007, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/90 "2007-12-10T05:44:13Z")
**hopesperson** I know, I know. In fact, the general reaction to my stance is so uncomprehending that I like to give props to a fellow unrealistic attitude whenever I can. The only attitude I can really feel safe ascribing to our descendents is that in 100 years everybody will be sure that Francis Fukuyama was on drugs… ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2007, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/91 "2007-12-10T06:07:44Z")
Pretty much everything on TV. I’m embarrassed that I’ll have to explain “Pro Wrestling” to my kid someday, kinda like why he can’t play with his pal on Sundays, cause he ain’t home. Ugh… Oh, yeah. Organized religion, too. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2007, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/92 "2007-12-10T15:44:14Z")
[QUOTE=Gatopescado] Pretty much everything on TV. I’m embarrassed that I’ll have to explain “Pro Wrestling” to my kid someday, kinda like why he can’t play with his pal on Sundays, cause he ain’t home. Ugh… [/QUOTE] Nah, dross has always sold. Dime novels in the 19th century, crappy radio programs (yes, I know there were some good ones, but there was a lot of crap, too), you name it. The lowest common denominator will always have to be pandered to. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2007, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/93 "2007-12-10T16:06:51Z")
[QUOTE=marshmallow] Whoosh, right? [/QUOTE] I certainly hope so, and I’ll take the bait even farther if it was and completely reverse that position. We’ll be looked at as odd and backwards because we didn’t allow legal prostitution. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2007, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/94 "2007-12-10T20:01:26Z")
[QUOTE=Cluricaun] I certainly hope so, and I’ll take the bait even farther if it was and completely reverse that position. We’ll be looked at as odd and backwards because we didn’t allow legal prostitution. [/QUOTE] Actually, I suspect the opposite. What with virtual reality and/or sexdroids, it’ll be looked at as odd or barbaric that actual humans were ever prostitutes. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2007, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/95 "2007-12-10T21:50:54Z")
[QUOTE=Der Trihs] Actually, I suspect the opposite. What with virtual reality and/or sexdroids, it’ll be looked at as odd or barbaric that actual humans were ever prostitutes. [/QUOTE] I’m certain that no matter how widely available or realistic VR or sexbots become there will always be people with enough money/power who want the “real thing” and others will be available to service them. ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2007, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/96 "2007-12-10T23:30:59Z")
[QUOTE=Cluricaun] I certainly hope so, and I’ll take the bait even farther if it was and completely reverse that position. We’ll be looked at as odd and backwards because we didn’t allow legal prostitution. [/QUOTE] It was not meant as a whoosh. You can hope for a world where prostitution’s legal, and I’ll hope for a world where everybody has better options. I certainly don’t want to get into an argument about it. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2007, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/97 "2007-12-10T23:44:24Z")
[QUOTE=Snarky\_Kong] Control of your body includes control of what you put in it, including nicotine or alcohol or huffing paint. Cigarettes don’t light themselves and make you puff on them, a person has to choose to smoke, and they should have that right. [/QUOTE] But do you really think anyone will still have that “right” in 100 years? All I did was extrapolate from what is happening today and make an educated guess. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2007, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/98 "2007-12-10T23:48:02Z")
> [@](#): > > Which of our cultural mores will make our descendants say “WTF?!” Religion. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259/99 "2007-12-11T00:17:03Z")
Nation-states. I’m also in agreement about the eatng dead flesh thing. Sailboat [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-our-cultural-mores-will-make-our-descendants-say-wtf/429259.md?page=4)