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Gary Barton

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What will become of us?

As clever, adolescent monkeys climbing the tree of universal knowledge, passing the baton, accelerating at an ever increasing rate, fighting for dominance, power and control over our world, over each other, in the bigger picture that spans time beyond scales we can hardly imagine, or even care to consider, what will happen as we strive to reach the top?

Will we even survive the climb?

I believe it's within us, but how will we choose?

What can be done to better aim our focus?

Will this be enough?

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    Frans Kellner 100+

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    TED Translator
    Nov 1 2011: Some of your assumptions are contradictory.

    "climbing the tree of universal knowledge," that's one part of humanity, "fighting for dominance, power and control over our world, over each other", that's another part of humanity.

    If knowledge increases, the preference for dominance and violent solutions decreases

    • Zdenek Smith 100+

      • +2
      HostAssociate
      Nov 2 2011: I agree. I also think that with increased knowledge we tend to have more empathy with others and then volunteer or donate which then leads to a better world around us. It seems to me that donations are at all time high from governments, wealthy individuals as well as ordinary citizens.

      • Gary Barton

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        Nov 5 2011: Although it is hard to not include politics/government in this discussion, it was not my intention to focus so much on it.

        To step back from politics a bit...

        Will we see a time where man creates and improves rather than consumes and destroys?

        I am a person of average intelligence yet I can see the imbalance and unsustainability of our actions.

        Because of this, I know it is within us to see, understand and excel, but will our greed and appetites consume and destroy us before we overcome this juvenile state?

        • Zdenek Smith 100+

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          HostAssociate
          Nov 6 2011: I think we have a spectrum of behaviours. I see growing number of people realizing that our actions are unsustainable? We have more people dedicated to preserving environment through recycling, eating and other habits.

          Others work on new technologies that are more efficient and environmentally friendly. Community of people are looking at ways to produce food more naturally and live simpler lives.

          We do still have many people that don't care much about anything but themselves. We have to educate them and our kids about consumerism and alternatives.

          Did you have anything specific in mind? cheers

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