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Rosa Park

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A perfect world. Possible or Impossible?

The title practically says it all.

The perfect world we long for.. is it possible?

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Topics: Eradicate Poverty a better world a future without war famine global issues perfection
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  • Anisha Rikhy

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    Jun 29 2012: Absolutely impossible. Poverty, hunger, political conflicts, tension, the financial crisis, the recession have only augmented the instability within society.
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    Branislav Ivkovic 20+

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    TED Translator
    Jun 18 2012: In short, no, because currently there are about 7 billion ideas of a perfect world out there.
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      E G 10+

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      Jun 19 2012: there are currently 7 billion ideas of an imperfect world out there and we still are imperfect.

  • Random Chance 30+

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    Jun 17 2012: Yes.
    Since most believe perception plays such a large role in what one means by perfection, how they view it and would define it, most next come to the conclusion it cannot be done. They can only think, it appears, in a very narrow context or always in a narrow context. This is so limiting, it is the very essence of that old tired phrase, "thinking inside the box".

    Then again, there are those who profess a strong belief in a God and then go ahead and limit the powers of the very Being they believe in! I find that humorous at the very least. But as long as one believes in limiting themselves, they will limit others, they will grasp madly for the smoke and mirrors, the gaudy toys that hold nothing of value in them and will return to the comfort of their limited head-in-the-sand safety. But, as usual I digress because I cannot keep my thoughts straight.

    For me the possibility exists because this so-called perfection would entail the end of poverty, slavery, starvation, greed, crime, inequality, war and murder. All very achievable goals but one first has to let go of all, old, ideas, absolutely in order to envision anything new.

    But as someone once said, "if we could all sit in a circle and put our problems into the circle, most would pick up their familiar old problems again rather than letting them be, letting them go and leaving them behind. Do not for one minute believe that "those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it." Indeed, those who do not forget the past, always repeat it! And so this continues.

    It is your world coming up now, as you look very young. Yes, your question is possible and spread it everywhere and to everyone you know, meet, and can reach or touch in some way.

    Those who profess a belief in a Deity, and then say this is impossible, don't really believe in any God at all. How could they? And besides, it isn't about believing in any sort of God. It's about believing in Good but I guess many don't believe in Good at all.
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    Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu 10+

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    Jun 12 2012: Hi Rosa,
    It is again a perception, Do you want your perfect world or do you want the perfect world for everyone? The latter is harder but the former is easier. Everybody have their own perception about the world . So One's Perfect world is definitely possible . The perfect world for everyone , we can't say as of now .

    Regards,
    Bharath
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    E G 10+

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    Jun 12 2012: "The title practically says it all.

    The perfect world we long for." are you a poet ? (I ask this not only because of the rime)

  • MR T

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    Jun 10 2012: Everyone's idea of perfection is different so no, can't please everyone.
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    Sean Brother

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    Jun 10 2012: Yes, but.... perfect for who? We're so diverse that it's difficult for me to find a reference point for calibrate what's good or what isn't. What is good for big fish isn't so good for the eaten small fish. The sun's good for some, bad for others. Water can refresh, clean ... or to drown, and so on.

    The answer could be easier if we could delimit a bit the field.

    But, anyway, good question!
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    Teja Tanchangya

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    Jun 9 2012: Possibility and impossibility, I think, depend on our definitions of perfection. What it is to have a perfect world? What it is that we take to be the world? Some people would even think that the world is already perfect. It is the way it is. It is just how we perceive it that makes the difference.

    i have even heard of "eight worldly conditions" or "eight vicissitudes of life." They are gain and loss, fame and defame, blame and praise, and finally happiness and pain. Perfection, in relation to these, involves not being agitated by them, that is having a balanced emotional life.

    Still another view of the world is that it comprises of the six senses, their respective sense objects, and their respective consciousnesses. The six senses are eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind. Eye has visible object as its sense object...mind has mental phenomena as its sense object. There is eye-consciousness, ear-consciousness and so on. This is a cognitive view of the world and a perfect world, according to this, involves a total cognitive transformation. If we are cognitive beings, then to change the world is to change our perception of the world. How we perceive it is significant.

    Based on these, questions arise: what is really change? what is really perfection? Why do we have war, poverty, hostile interpersonal relationships, and so on? In creating peace, what are we actually doing? Is there such a thing called peace, peace as something out there, something like an essence? What about poverty? Is it also something substantial or is just socially created, created by human mind, by our restrictions, our greed, etc? Why should two people fight? Is it because the world is such that these people should necessarily fight?

    No matter what or how the world is, it is us who are living in it. If i want, i can smile at a stranger on the street or punch him on the head. it is how we perceive and live that makes the world perfect and imperfect. Real change should come from within!
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    Kurt Schreiber

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    Jun 9 2012: Impossible, because humans are not perfect. We are unique and different, some of us are beautiful some of us are ugly. We have different heights and different beliefs. In a perfect world we'd all look the same, we'd all think the same, and we'd all act the same. A "perfect" future would be a terrible place. So when asking if we can achieve perfection, in my personal opinion the universe as it is, is perfection. War and poverty are terrible, but if we never made mistakes, we would never have the chance to learn from them.
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      Rosa Park 500+

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      TEDx Organizer
      Jun 9 2012: Interesting thought, "A "perfect" future would be a terrible place."

      Then do you think it's pointless to continue trying if the perfect future is terrible?
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        Kurt Schreiber

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        Jun 10 2012: Interesting question, not an easy one to answer though. I do believe the goal of perfection is what drives people to create things such as the internet, electricity, and NGO's that help third world countries. On the other hand it gives us situations like religious wars, or mass genocides against "inferior" humans, such as we saw with the Nazis during WWII. But part of being of human is striving for perfection, and we can only hope that the benefits out weigh the negatives. So for a straight answer, no I do no think it is pointless to continue trying. Although as I stated above a "perfect" world will never come to light. Even though we want it badly, it's against human nature to be perfect.

  • Barry Palmer 50+

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    Jun 8 2012: Perhaps perfection is impossible, but we can continuously make the world better.

    At some point, it will be very good indeed.
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    Derek Young 30+

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    Jun 8 2012: Impossible because nothing can be "perfect" for everyone. The world could seem perfect to a group of people, but the rest of the world may have a completely different opinion. The goal shouldn't be perfection, but to bring unity, spread equality, build positive relationships, be respectful to others, live within ones' minimal means for survival, and be ambitious for the better of everyone. The list is infinite and is mostly dreams I have, but coming from a place of ignorance, I want to do more for the world than I am currently doing, but fear holds me back. Hopefully my fear could be someone elses inspiration. Do good for what you love and don't look back at the haters in your life. Don't let history repeat itself. Keep on chasing your dreams and hopefully we can all someday meet at the finish line together. =)

  • Brandon Blanchette

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    Jun 7 2012: It will never be possible. Whenever someone wants something, someone wants the opposite. To have a "perfect" world, one would have to undertake drastic measures to rid the world of imperfection. Those measures would expose the "pure" to imperfection, and the cycle would continue forever. I know it is a bleak outlook, but anything can happen.
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    Johnson Tam-Lit

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    Jun 6 2012: To have a perfect world would depend on your definition of perfection. As an imperfect person it is firstly about acknowledging these and at the same time moving outwards from that point. Aim for the stars and you may hit the moon.
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    Kate Blake 50+

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    Jun 5 2012: We can only try to do the best we can to make 'our' world; via family, friends, colleagues, those we meet commuting or shopping; everybody we meet more open to the goodness inside each of us. Then there will be less conflict, judgement, jealousy, etc and we contribute to making our world as perfect, warm and friendly as possible!
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    edward long 100+

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    Jun 4 2012: Love makes things perfect. For your world to be perfect you must love everyone, and everything in it. Therefore my answer to your question is: IMPOSSIBLE!

  • Marcus Steephill

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    Jun 4 2012: The first questions that where asked was what is a perfect world? if you to the right of the entry the author have put up a couple of goals.

    Yes i think there could be a perfect world but not with capitalism, we can`t have a perfect world when we live in masses. We should be living in small groups in a network of people, a sustainable future. No big city`s and no money system.
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    Salim Solaiman 50+

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    Jun 4 2012: hmmm can you define the "Perfect World" from the perspective you dream about it?
    Someone told the following which I liked
    With in the word "impossible" , "Possible" is there
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    Rafi Amin 20+

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    Jun 4 2012: I had asked a similar question a couple of weeks back. Just in case you want to get information from this conversations.

    http://www.ted.com/conversations/11249/what_steps_needs_to_be_taken_i.html
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      Rosa Park 500+

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      TEDx Organizer
      Jun 4 2012: Hmm, interesting question. But do you believe that it'll be ever possible to have a perfect world?
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        Rafi Amin 20+

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        Jun 4 2012: What I learned from answers I got in my question is no. because of limited resources & this world being so much biased.
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    Mireille Chéry

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    Jun 4 2012: Possible !

    I always goes with that motto : Anything is possible, so yes, a perfect world, indeed is possible.

    The way that I can see it happen, is when every human kind, will fight and conquer their inners demons and live to help each other become better, encourage each other, wanted the best for the other...

    Forgive ourselves from any mistakes and forget what wrongs others did to us.

    Wow, wanting the best for all people, and if at all possible, give it to them, what a great world this would be!
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    Obey No1kinobe 50+

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    Jun 4 2012: Very few absolutes are possible in practical terms.

    This should not stop us from striving for a better world.
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