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Zared Schwartz

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What is the greatest hope that mankind will continue?

In a world in crisis, I want to explore a bright side on the troubling courses of mankind and propose a possible future for mankind. However, one man cannot see all; so, I want to hear the great voices of the TED community on this matter.

Topics: evolution future life
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    Saskia Flückiger

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    Jun 14 2012: I think the greatest hope that mankind will continue is exactly what you just did.. asking that question and challenging other people to think about it. I think it's the fact that there are still people interested in each other's opinions and thoughts, that we still care to know what the other might believe. As long as we have compassion, we will have our humanity. As long as we are curious about one another and interested in each other we will be able to live on. We are part of a society that is constantly growing and, more often than not, it seems to be growing in a negative sense. But as it grows, so do we. We can connect with each other at such a greater speed and at any time. The birth of Web 2.0 is the birth of a new generation, one who choses to either disintegrate themselves into the superficial things the internet has to offer or one who uses the internet as a tool of knowledge. If the second type of generation still exists, then that gives me hope that mankind will continue.

  • Sandra Awood

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    May 23 2012: Your question is uplifting & the comments thought provoking. I have been wondering for several years if our species will die out, as we seem so pointlessly vicious compared to "lesser" species. TED gives me hope, but I raise the question that if power & control (seem to) be priorities for so many, is there space for the dialogue that can inform & educate us? Can TED change the tide?
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    R H 20+

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    May 18 2012: I see that we are on the verge of a new era in human history. When I see TED talks and are therefore led to others sources of research and information, I see that in a very short time we will be able to transform ourselves as human beings. No longer will be just 'making tools' - which is what sets us apart from the rest of nature - but we will have the ability to determine what we are, what we want to be made of, and whether we want to continue in perpetuity. In this, we have the opportunity for true self-determination. Our ideas will become the reality while we are no longer subject to the realities imposed upon us by the generations of the past. Our 'pre-transformation' skills are quickly being eclipsed by a new wisdom, a new sense of oneness, and new skills in genetics, materials, brain research, biomimicry, social connectivity, and impending singularities. This, right now, is the greatest time in the history of mankind to date - in my opinion.
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    Feyisayo Anjorin 50+

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    May 17 2012: This is great hope that mankind will continue; but not as we are and have always been.
    It is no longer secret that we have not been giving much attention to our planet,and to the sustainability of our habits.Nature is perishable, but there is an aspect of humanity that is imperishable, just like the memory of a loved one in our hearts.
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    Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu 10+

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    May 17 2012: The hope for a global reform , a much peaceful world and most importantly the feeling of Oneness which many organizations are striving for ..and even The UN is also striving for .. 2012 must become an age for a new era of world peace.

    • Zared Schwartz

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      May 17 2012: How is this possible?
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        Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu 10+

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        May 18 2012: Well Zared,all I can say It is a vision which many people are striving for and the proof for it lies in various TED talks already available
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    Bernard Seremonia

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    May 17 2012: Basically, people need to be guided. Including a community or even wider. Since guidance reflects a direction which really needed for anything to move at the correct direction, and since moving to the right direction is the most important to achieve peacefulness, therefore the greatest hope of mankind is to have worldwide agreement to achieve peacefulness.

    • Zared Schwartz

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      May 17 2012: How is this possible?
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        Bernard Seremonia

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        May 18 2012: Belief:

        All differentiations on achieving peacefulness are temporary. It is a process that will develop later in life, when, God will give the commands to all humanity to unite in peace. This is not our hope in God. And this is not a possibility to God. But this is a necessity, because we are not talking about other than God. We're talking about God as the Mighty Creator of all that exists. Which provide guidance.

        We can not judge God, that God has done wrong or the process is slow. We can't accuse God has done this, only if we have been able to demonstrate the priority of everything and put it at the right place. But we can't and we believe only God can do these.

        All disputes are only temporary. If we believe that God unable to unite mankind in one peace, then God has failed. But God never failed, God just wants to do anything within process to develope our awareness. Just one step at the time (gradually).

        Therefore, for those who believe in the existence of God, then God might not let the split in the hold to the principle of truth.

        Saturation Point:

        For each of inclination always have an opponent. And when a state reaches saturation point, it will move to the opposite side.

        And following the progress of human civilization, then there will be a shrinking of saturation point.

        Up over time from past to the present and into the future, has and will always happen separation and unification, and saturation point will be shrinked, even more (similar to unpatience). This creates severability and consolidation, larger than before.

        Until at some level, decreasing of saturation point will reach the point of almost zero and there will be a strong impact not only being united, but also a strong union that gives peace in all directions or such a destructive and extreme severability (we just don't know yet, which come first, but at least for once it should be happened).

        Less or more ...

        • Quincy Banga

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          Jun 2 2012: in order to say your point in belief there wouldn't you have to prove existence of god? How do you know that there is a god doing all this? who is providing guidance to all of humanity? how do we not know that there is an almighty creator? the answer can't necessarily be just a point in personal faith there has to be evidence for such a creator to exist.

          I think it is much more likely there is no god guiding us there is no one holding humanity's hand. So the future of humanity is what ever we make it. If we destroy our selves we will cease to exist, but if we try to collectively and peacefully try to solve our problems we will prosper even more.

          We cannot just hope that there is something out there, an "almighty creator" who will provide us with some form of guidance. Humanity must take its own initiative to insure a better and brighter future in order for our species to prosper even more than it already has.

          Every individual human being must take it into there own hands to make the world a better place by learning, questioning, creating, respecting others, and critically thinking about what they do to make sure that our decisions impact the world in the best way possible. We must not wait for a "god" to guide us and slowly help unite mankind, we must do it ourselves...we only have one life and we have to make the most of it!
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        Bernard Seremonia

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        Jun 2 2012: Hi Quincy

        I noticed on this TED, for several comments, questions or debates that directly to God and religion, would be deleted.

        TED has its own page for this purpose. I agree with TED.

        You may read my argument using this link http://www.ted.com/themes/is_there_a_god.html?c=471027

        Thank you

        • Quincy Banga

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          Jun 2 2012: thank you for telling me this im kindov new to TED and an still figgurig out how to use it.
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        Bernard Seremonia

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        Jun 2 2012: Hi Quincy

        Same to me.

        Nice talking with you

        Warmest
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    Roy Bourque 20+

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    May 17 2012: The greatest hope is that humans are learning to question everything. We are no longer allowing ourselves to be persuaded by a select few. We are learning that the power lies within. TED is sharing ideas all over the world. They are allowing ideas to spread throughout the globe, uncensored by media and political manipulation. They are allowing humans to think for themselves, to find the truth wherever it may be.
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      Chetan Somani

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      May 17 2012: Roy,
      Very true!!i believe now people should not keep themselves in an enclosed room,they need to come out start exploring whats happening in the society!!and if they don't understand or when they feel something which is prevailing in the society is wrong they need to question about it and start working against it!!
      TED is a platform for all the people who are love to explore,learn,spread ideas and it does provide us with all of these!!!
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        Nigel Bamber

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        May 17 2012: I've been exploring TED talks, to see if there are some uniting themes that show a route forwards for humanity. Some patterns are beginning to emerge. I'm examining these on my blog. I've come to the conclusion that these themes need uniting under a single banner, to enable people to see that progress is possible. We don't have to accept the way things are.
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