Galt's Gulch

Creature Comforts Show No End to History

Posted by $ MikeMarotta 8 years, 1 month ago to Culture
4 comments | Share | Best of... | Flag

It is a wonderful time to be alive. We have become so used to material abundance that we have lost all perspective on where we are in the deep, broad, and swift flowing stream of history. The best is yet to come, but the present is pretty good.

http://necessaryfacts.blogspot.com/20...

Add Comment

FORMATTING HELP

All Comments Hide marked as read Mark all as read

    -
  • Posted by mminnick 8 years, 1 month ago
    It is true that the best is yet to come and we are living an a good time. This is said from the point of view of an American living in North America.
    I suggest that looking eastward toward the middle east and Africa, you might not get the same response if one were to ask them if they live in good times.
    Good times are strictly in the eye of the beholder. I;m not sure that all in the US would say we are living in good times.
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
    • Posted by $ CBJ 8 years, 1 month ago
      There is a spillover effect of personal technology from developed countries to the rest of the world that can make even bad times less bad. Mobile phones and their associated capabilities are a prime example.
      Reply | Mark as read | Parent | Best of... | Permalink  
    • Posted by $ MikeMarotta 8 years, 1 month ago
      It is not good in Aleppo; and the people there were better off before the CIA launched "Arab Spring." Everyone on Earth is not enjoying the present.

      Even Aleppo is better off today because if this were 1200 AD and it were under siege and starving, no one else in the world would know or care. No one in 1800 or 1900 lifted a siege for 48 hours so that humanitarian aid could get through.
      Reply | Mark as read | Parent | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by CircuitGuy 8 years, 1 month ago
    Among all humankind, not just part of the world, the risk of dying from famine, crime, war, and accidents have gone down throughout history. The choices have increased. Education has increased. The very notion that people have fundamental rights has increased. This is a great time for humankind.

    As mminnick points out, there still are war and crime, and if you're in the midst of it life is horrible. But fewer people by percentage are in the midst of it. Life is improving. Let's be careful not to screw it up.
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  

FORMATTING HELP

  • Comment hidden. Undo