Our success is killing us

The aims of technology are achieved and our chances for survival are fatally diminished. The fault is not in our technology but in us. The fault lies within human society.

McLuhan made us aware of the fact that technology is an extension of our self. I would say that we and also our ecosystem are both gestalts, a whole, wherein there are complex feedback loops that permit self healing and various means that protect us from our self.

The dictionary defines gestalt as meaning a structure, configuration, or pattern of physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so integrated as to constitute a functional unit with properties not derivable by summation of its parts. When we interfere with the gestalt, i.e. our ecosystem or our self, we are changing some one or some few of the feedback loops that help us maintain equilibrium. Such modifications, if not fully understood, can send the gestalt into a mode wherein equilibrium can no longer be maintained.

In 1919 Ernest Rutherford announced to a shocked world “I have been engaged in experiments which suggest that the atom can be artificially disintegrated. If it is true, it is far greater importance than a war.” Today’s stem-cell research could, in my opinion, be considered as more important than a war and also more important than Rutherford’s research success.

The discussion regarding the advisability of continuing stem-cell research primarily focuses on the religious/political factor and on the technology but there is little or no focus upon the impact that could result to our society beyond its health effects.

We are unwilling or unable to focus on the long-term effects of our technology and thus should put much of it on hold until we gain a better means to evaluate the future implications of our technology.

What do you think about this serious matter?

Why do I get the feeling that those that participate in your threads should be getting writing credits for your 200 level college courses?

Medicine stops evolution. Discuss.

There- I just said in 4 words what took you 6 muddy paragraphs to mumble through.

Rather than wasting good words on you, I will answer ALL your posts with a lame lyric by an exceptionally lame musician: "the good old days weren't always great and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems."

Bring back 19th century notions of eugenics I say.

Is this going to be on the final?

about future archaeologists

"Hey there Mr Dinosaur..."

An alternative perspective is that the 'selfish genes' are simpily exploiting another resource to perpetuate themselves: technology.

about future archaeologists

"Hey there Mr Dinosaur..."

I always liked the lyrics to the obscure Sting song "Conversation with a Dog." Or at least the first two lines. Somehow this song seems appropriate to these threads.

I asked my dog what he thought the best in man
He said, "The love you dispense to me twice daily from a can."
I said, "Why do you think my question funny?
And where would you be without my money?"
I said, "There may be some quality in us you must treasure."
"It's despair," he said, "of which your money is the measure."

Walk like a dog
Like anybody can

I said, "What about our politics, philosophy, our history?"
He said, "If there is something admirable in these it is a mystery."
"But there must be something in our system tell me at your leisure."
"It's despair," he said, "of which your borders are the measure."

Walk like a dog
Talk like a man
Walk like a dog
Like anybody can

I said, "What about technology, computers, nuclear fission?"
"I'm terrified of radiation, hate the television."
I said, "There must be something in our scientific treasure."
"It's despair," he said, "of which your weapons are the measure."

"Feed me, you can beat me. I will love you till I die.
But don't ask for admiration and don't ever ask me why."
I said, "Why wait till now to demonstrate displeasure?"
"It's despair," he said, "of which my silence was the measure."

Walk like a dog
Talk like a man
Walk like a dog
Like anybody can

I always liked the lyrics to the obscure Sting song "Conversation with a Dog." Or at least the first two lines. Somehow this song seems appropriate to these threads.

I asked my dog what he thought the best in man
He said, "The love you dispense to me twice daily from a can."
I said, "Why do you think my question funny?
And where would you be without my money?"
I said, "There may be some quality in us you must treasure."
"It's despair," he said, "of which your money is the measure."

Walk like a dog
Like anybody can

I said, "What about our politics, philosophy, our history?"
He said, "If there is something admirable in these it is a mystery."
"But there must be something in our system tell me at your leisure."
"It's despair," he said, "of which your borders are the measure."

Walk like a dog
Talk like a man
Walk like a dog
Like anybody can

I said, "What about technology, computers, nuclear fission?"
"I'm terrified of radiation, hate the television."
I said, "There must be something in our scientific treasure."
"It's despair," he said, "of which your weapons are the measure."

"Feed me, you can beat me. I will love you till I die.
But don't ask for admiration and don't ever ask me why."
I said, "Why wait till now to demonstrate displeasure?"
"It's despair," he said, "of which my silence was the measure."

Walk like a dog
Talk like a man
Walk like a dog
Like anybody can

Dogs lick their selfs. They ain't philosophers.

Dogs lick their selfs. They ain't philosophers.

because they can

Dogs lick their selfs. They ain't philosophers.

So you're saying that anyone or anything that licks itself cannot be a philosopher?

So you're saying that anyone or anything that licks itself cannot be a philosopher?

I think that anyone that could spend their day licking themselves...would be having too much fun to worry about the musings of Descartes

/I lick therefore I am.

So you're saying that anyone or anything that licks itself cannot be a philosopher?

If they can do that, they don't have time to question life. Things go bad.............oh well..............

Well this thread has been derailed worse than a three day Lindsay Lohan bender.

Well this thread has been derailed worse than a three day Lindsay Lohan bender.

But we do seem to have found an area we can agree on. ( Sighs wistfully ) :)

Well this thread has been derailed worse than a three day Lindsay Lohan bender.

I think all of Coberst's studies, I mean threads should be treated as such.

who needs to ponder their existence if they can lick themselves

I'm thinking Asia Carrera after intensive Yoga Studies

post a clip

or a pic

I'm thinking Asia Carrera after intensive Yoga Studies



That mental image just made my day.

Now I'm off to contemplate squirrel navels.

Carrera?

http://entimg.msn.com/i/150/Movies/Actors3/TiaCarrera255634_150x200.jpg

Carrera.

http://www.thebikebarn.com.au/images/cu_car_cortina.jpg

Our success is killing us

We are unwilling or unable to focus on the long-term effects of our technology and thus should put much of it on hold until we gain a better means to evaluate the future implications of our technology.

What do you think about this serious matter?

I think that we have effed ourselves to the point of no return, technology is the only way we can "fix" the damage already done. Stop population growth and that will be a start.

/ using technology to download an early carrera vid whilst practicing yoga

Carrera?

http://entimg.msn.com/i/150/Movies/Actors3/TiaCarrera255634_150x200.jpg

Not tia...

I think that we have effed ourselves to the point of no return, technology is the only way we can "fix" the damage already done. Stop population growth and that will be a start.

/ using technology to download an early carrera vid whilst practicing yoga

I believe what we are reading a post socialist utopian writing of how we all just need to hunker down and have a weenie roast.

Define success. Last I checked, suicide is a choice as is success.

I choose to have a bit more positive view of what people want to achieve. As to effing ourselves....well thats been going on for a few thousand years now depending on whose point of view you take.

Not tia...

Kelly Hu is more my cup of tea to be perfectly honest.

:wink:

Kelly Hu is more my cup of tea to be perfectly honest.

:wink:

Who???:p

Kelly Hu is more my cup of tea to be perfectly honest.

:wink:


I'd most definitely hit it.

Our success is killing us

The aims of technology are achieved and our chances for survival are fatally diminished. The fault is not in our technology but in us. The fault lies within human society.

McLuhan made us aware of the fact that technology is an extension of our self. I would say that we and also our ecosystem are both gestalts, a whole, wherein there are complex feedback loops that permit self healing and various means that protect us from our self.

The dictionary defines gestalt as meaning a structure, configuration, or pattern of physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so integrated as to constitute a functional unit with properties not derivable by summation of its parts. When we interfere with the gestalt, i.e. our ecosystem or our self, we are changing some one or some few of the feedback loops that help us maintain equilibrium. Such modifications, if not fully understood, can send the gestalt into a mode wherein equilibrium can no longer be maintained.

In 1919 Ernest Rutherford announced to a shocked world “I have been engaged in experiments which suggest that the atom can be artificially disintegrated. If it is true, it is far greater importance than a war.” Today’s stem-cell research could, in my opinion, be considered as more important than a war and also more important than Rutherford’s research success.

The discussion regarding the advisability of continuing stem-cell research primarily focuses on the religious/political factor and on the technology but there is little or no focus upon the impact that could result to our society beyond its health effects.

We are unwilling or unable to focus on the long-term effects of our technology and thus should put much of it on hold until we gain a better means to evaluate the future implications of our technology.

What do you think about this serious matter?

Hey, it's the scientist who put in the hard work at school and have the knowledge, and come up with the discoveries, so they must take first responsibility. I'd like to see our world's science community offer to create their own code of ethics amongst themselves.

Our success is killing us

The aims of technology are achieved and our chances for survival are fatally diminished. The fault is not in our technology but in us. The fault lies within human society.

McLuhan made us aware of the fact that technology is an extension of our self. I would say that we and also our ecosystem are both gestalts, a whole, wherein there are complex feedback loops that permit self healing and various means that protect us from our self.

The dictionary defines gestalt as meaning a structure, configuration, or pattern of physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so integrated as to constitute a functional unit with properties not derivable by summation of its parts. When we interfere with the gestalt, i.e. our ecosystem or our self, we are changing some one or some few of the feedback loops that help us maintain equilibrium. Such modifications, if not fully understood, can send the gestalt into a mode wherein equilibrium can no longer be maintained.

In 1919 Ernest Rutherford announced to a shocked world “I have been engaged in experiments which suggest that the atom can be artificially disintegrated. If it is true, it is far greater importance than a war.” Today’s stem-cell research could, in my opinion, be considered as more important than a war and also more important than Rutherford’s research success.

The discussion regarding the advisability of continuing stem-cell research primarily focuses on the religious/political factor and on the technology but there is little or no focus upon the impact that could result to our society beyond its health effects.

We are unwilling or unable to focus on the long-term effects of our technology and thus should put much of it on hold until we gain a better means to evaluate the future implications of our technology.

What do you think about this serious matter?

I think, as Jerry said, that the difference between Jerry and George, is that Jerry is successful and George is not.