Do not question my intentions, you should know better. You assume that *I* would behave in such a manner. I am talking in generalizations here - that society as a whole is becoming self centered and selfish, with little regard for anything and anyone outside their immediate influence.
I don't believe I have it wrong in my post, I think you are blinding yourself to the reality that exists in society today. When the shit hits the fan, we regress to our survival instinct - and the trade off between our own individual freedoms and others'? You seem to state that even given the repeal of our entire set of laws governing life we would still recognize the benefit of working together and society would not collapse, is that true? Dangerous drivers with little regard for things such as "traffic laws". Parents who sit there and let their children run wild, interfering with other people's fun. Babies and cell phones in movies despite repeated requests that we silence them. We fight each other for no reasons. People are shot over parking spaces. We are willing to put up with fatless potato chips even though it might cause abdominal cramping, diarhea, and bloody stools, because we are too lazy to exercise and show some dietary restraint? And you don't think society is degenerating? Dang, I want what you're smoking...the ONLY reason we behave in a lawful way is because we have laws. Take away those laws and we won't "work together", anarchy will take over. As for your assertion that "it is wrong but morally justifiable to commit a crime given an emergency" that's hogwash - what constitutes an emergency? "I'm sorry, but my kid pooped in his pants and I don't have any diapers, this is an EMERGENCY, I need to steal diapers and break the law". Have another beer dude...
Sure, and I cannot dispute, there are many instances of selfless people helping others. I in my heart that I would one of these people. That's the way I was raised. But I am becoming more and more convinced that I (should I say "WE"?) are the exception.
Society is getting better and better? Drugs. Crime. They have been holding steady, that is good. But I'm not talking about murders. I'm talking about people in general - their "I don't give a shit attitude" about anyone else but themselves. Why are we improving as a nation? Well, we are technologically WAY MORE advanced than in 1905...what an assinine assertion! Cars are better, the internet, Satellite TV, we have been to the moon, Voyager past Saturn (incredible pics), the Hubble Telescope, we can fly across the country and connect in less than a few hours, society is improving because we are inventing and discovering and making better things. But attitude wise, we are a bunch of idiots in general (present company excluded!). hehe
9.23.2005
Good to Have You Back
Note to self: in a crisis, shoot Thew before he shoots you.
Seriously, I am sure the lovely Mrs. Thew is quite comforted by your words. At least she know why you would abandon her when the shit hits the fan.
Oh, maybe you were not talking about her. Surely, the precocious Thew children were covered by your "every man for himself" remark. Hmmmm. Maybe not?
In summary, you have got pretty much everything wrong in that post. Society, by definition cannot be base and selfish. Members of society certainly can, but we are all together because we, as individuals, recognize the benefit of working together. We recognize that there is a trade off between our own complete individual freedom (which would allow us to, say, kill the b*&%$ in the minivan/SUV talking on her cellphone and not paying attention) and others' complete individual freedom (which would allow them to toast me on those rare moments when I am driving and not paying attention).
Society can break down - it did in New Orleans (Firing guns at emergency personnel! For God's sake!) But even that was more than outweighed by the selflessness of hundred of individuals who helped directly and indirectly. Of course, if it bleeds - it leads. The MSM is not interested in showing the milk of human kindness, they are interested in blaming President Bush.
One fine point: it is wrong, but morally justifiable to steal necessities during an emergency. Food, water, diapers, batteries, even clothes, I understand. Big screen TVs? I don't think so.
Finally, I simply disagree with your fundamental assertion: society is getting worse. Society is getting better and better and better. We ARE improving as a nation. Sometimes we take a step back and, of course TV and the internet allows us to observe the seedier side, up close and personal. But I would take your average American today, then your average American from 1905 any day.
Seriously, I am sure the lovely Mrs. Thew is quite comforted by your words. At least she know why you would abandon her when the shit hits the fan.
Oh, maybe you were not talking about her. Surely, the precocious Thew children were covered by your "every man for himself" remark. Hmmmm. Maybe not?
In summary, you have got pretty much everything wrong in that post. Society, by definition cannot be base and selfish. Members of society certainly can, but we are all together because we, as individuals, recognize the benefit of working together. We recognize that there is a trade off between our own complete individual freedom (which would allow us to, say, kill the b*&%$ in the minivan/SUV talking on her cellphone and not paying attention) and others' complete individual freedom (which would allow them to toast me on those rare moments when I am driving and not paying attention).
Society can break down - it did in New Orleans (Firing guns at emergency personnel! For God's sake!) But even that was more than outweighed by the selflessness of hundred of individuals who helped directly and indirectly. Of course, if it bleeds - it leads. The MSM is not interested in showing the milk of human kindness, they are interested in blaming President Bush.
One fine point: it is wrong, but morally justifiable to steal necessities during an emergency. Food, water, diapers, batteries, even clothes, I understand. Big screen TVs? I don't think so.
Finally, I simply disagree with your fundamental assertion: society is getting worse. Society is getting better and better and better. We ARE improving as a nation. Sometimes we take a step back and, of course TV and the internet allows us to observe the seedier side, up close and personal. But I would take your average American today, then your average American from 1905 any day.
9.22.2005
Time for a Reality Check
Time for the cynical Thew to rear his ugly head. Where have I been? Well, new job with long hours, no gems from Tilam to crush under the weight of my keen mind, etc. Bottom line, been busy.
"My brother's keeper". Hmm, interesting quote. And no matter how TRUE that might be, when the shit hits the fan, and there is no help in immediate sight, the sheer baseness of the human existence take control, then it becomes every man for himself. Why do people loot? Why do people steal and attack each other in the middle of the misery and devastation? Because deep down inside we are selfish animals. Our basic need for power, dominance, and survival produce actions that go against "normal human behavior". Of course, many of the people who looted where the poor and (possibly) homeless, determining that "if you are not going to help me, at least I'm going to get something for nothing out of this". The basic need for humans to be selfish also takes place during celebrations and public parties - smash, steal, loot, and get something for nothing. But it is real, and as we move forward in time, you can see too many instances of society lowering itself to the lowest common decency of behavior. We are getting more and more angry, more beligerent, and less concerned with anything outside our close circle.
Is this a socio-economic issue? Maybe. Because as I stated, the impression is that only the people of lesser income and means are the ones who do this - since they cannot afford it, the "mob mentality" is to get your hands on everything and claim it. But society is degenerating in too many places - we are becoming less than animals in many instances, not even enough of a "pride" to take care of our own.
Enough instances of people helping people prove me wrong enough in this, but still, I put forth society as base and selfish...
"My brother's keeper". Hmm, interesting quote. And no matter how TRUE that might be, when the shit hits the fan, and there is no help in immediate sight, the sheer baseness of the human existence take control, then it becomes every man for himself. Why do people loot? Why do people steal and attack each other in the middle of the misery and devastation? Because deep down inside we are selfish animals. Our basic need for power, dominance, and survival produce actions that go against "normal human behavior". Of course, many of the people who looted where the poor and (possibly) homeless, determining that "if you are not going to help me, at least I'm going to get something for nothing out of this". The basic need for humans to be selfish also takes place during celebrations and public parties - smash, steal, loot, and get something for nothing. But it is real, and as we move forward in time, you can see too many instances of society lowering itself to the lowest common decency of behavior. We are getting more and more angry, more beligerent, and less concerned with anything outside our close circle.
Is this a socio-economic issue? Maybe. Because as I stated, the impression is that only the people of lesser income and means are the ones who do this - since they cannot afford it, the "mob mentality" is to get your hands on everything and claim it. But society is degenerating in too many places - we are becoming less than animals in many instances, not even enough of a "pride" to take care of our own.
Enough instances of people helping people prove me wrong enough in this, but still, I put forth society as base and selfish...
9.12.2005
My Brother's Keeper
We were driving home after dinner last night, our kids started discussing a few passages from the Old Testament. (We are not religious fanatics - it started when one of my sons said it would be cool to have a flaming sword like the angel guarding the Garden of Eden, which he remembered....how?)
One story that does always draws their curiosity is the story of Cain and Abel. Why bring this up? Well in all the commentary and blame and defensiveness surrounding Hurricane Katrina, it struck me that the one pearl of wisdom you could pass along to everyone is that "we are all our brother's keepers."
Given a tragedy, be it natural or man-made, the government will help...eventually. But be it an hour, a day, week or month, there will be a time before that organized help arrives. In that time, the fact remains that we are all dependent on our families, neighbors and fellow citizens for help. Conversely, we all must heed the call to help others.
When that bond fails, you have lawlessness, grief and violence. When it holds, you have heroism, comfort and hope.
The Mayor, Governor or President, no matter how powerful or prescient, can not help any of us then. At that moment, we need each other.
One story that does always draws their curiosity is the story of Cain and Abel. Why bring this up? Well in all the commentary and blame and defensiveness surrounding Hurricane Katrina, it struck me that the one pearl of wisdom you could pass along to everyone is that "we are all our brother's keepers."
Given a tragedy, be it natural or man-made, the government will help...eventually. But be it an hour, a day, week or month, there will be a time before that organized help arrives. In that time, the fact remains that we are all dependent on our families, neighbors and fellow citizens for help. Conversely, we all must heed the call to help others.
When that bond fails, you have lawlessness, grief and violence. When it holds, you have heroism, comfort and hope.
The Mayor, Governor or President, no matter how powerful or prescient, can not help any of us then. At that moment, we need each other.
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