What I learned from history...

[capsulecorpjx]

I learned from history ... that human society is naturally predisposed to genocide, because it is politically convenient for leaders and organizations to use it as a tool to gain power.

I think this is the path that Iraq will go down. It's pretty sad.

[MasterBlaster]

I learned from history ... that human society is naturally predisposed to genocide, because it is politically convenient for leaders and organizations to use it as a tool to gain power.

I think this is the path that Iraq will go down. It's pretty sad.

genocide by who? Sunii killing Shia or the other way around?

[Shaggy Hiker]

Oh, whichever. Equal opportunity is all the rage, you know.

[mendhak]

And I thought I was optimistic.

[Xcoder]

How about not a predisposed society, but a pre-programmed one. If you install a type of Inquisition/Gestapo/McCarthyism/Homeland Security control, you put man against his neighbour. You install fear, and then is much easy to make the escape goat ("witches", catars, jews, communists, homosexuals, middle easterns - shadowed as terrorists) victim of genocide.

[Valleysboy1978]

It's been that way for centuries. Those with the greatest technological advancements always conquer other nations. Romans conquered the Celts/Germanics etc. Egyptians conquered the Afrikaaans. British Empire conquered India.
Now is no different. Those with the greater technological advancements in militaristic technology will always be victorious conquerors

[mendhak]

Agreed. The definition of conquering is different now, it's more about logistics and economy rather than land.


Also, Afrikaans is a language. Did you mean the Nubians conquering the Egyptians?

[nemaroller]

Capsulecorpjx is just putting on some media circus here.

On the way into stores, he will open the door for you just to the point you think he'll hold it for you, but then releases the door so it smacks you in the face.

He will talk to you and your wife like he's just being friendly - but underneath it all, he just wants to hang out with your wife - especially in ways you don't want him to.

He wants your daughters, your cars, and your money.

But that's not enough. This tyranny of his continues like a never satisfied quest for power. I could go on... but let it be said, it would be best for all involved if we just nuked him. 10 times over. Just to be sure of course.

[capsulecorpjx]

Capsulecorpjx is just putting on some media circus here.

On the way into stores, he will open the door for you just to the point you think he'll hold it for you, but then releases the door so it smacks you in the face.

He will talk to you and your wife like he's just being friendly - but underneath it all, he just wants to hang out with your wife - especially in ways you don't want him to.

He wants your daughters, your cars, and your money.

But that's not enough. This tyranny of his continues like a never satisfied quest for power. I could go on... but let it be said, it would be best for all involved if we just nuked him. 10 times over. Just to be sure of course.

Lol so true. Well only if your daughters are > 18.

[FunkyDexter]

Those with the greatest technological advancements always conquer other nations. Romans conquered the Celts/Germanics etc.

I totally agree with your point but recommend you read Terry Jones's 'Barbarians'. It'll open your eyes about how advanced the nations Rome conquered really were.


I think the root of this is that mankind has a definite tendancy to create scapegoats. Just look at any school playground and you'll see it happening. We retain that tendancy into adult life and it becomes a very powerful tools for politicians to use - By defining the 'other' the politician implies that he's the same as you (becuase neither of you is the other) and is therefore more likely to recieve your support. Scale that up and you get genocide.

[Shaggy Hiker]

Cohesion will beat technological superiority so long as the difference in technology is not sufficiently large.

[Valleysboy1978]

I totally agree with your point but recommend you read Terry Jones's 'Barbarians'. It'll open your eyes about how advanced the nations Rome conquered really were.


I think the root of this is that mankind has a definite tendancy to create scapegoats. Just look at any school playground and you'll see it happening. We retain that tendancy into adult life and it becomes a very powerful tools for politicians to use - By defining the 'other' the politician implies that he's the same as you (becuase neither of you is the other) and is therefore more likely to recieve your support. Scale that up and you get genocide.

Anyone stupid enough to think politicians are "one of us" is a fool. Politicians, especially the leaders in UK and US, are bred from aristocratic families.

David Cameron, leader of the UK Conservative party, tries to portray he's one of us, yet he came from a wealthy family and was educated at Eton! Like all other politicians, he is a hypocrite

[FunkyDexter]

David Cameron, leader of the UK Conservative party, tries to portray he's one of us, yet he came from a wealthy family and was educated at Eton! Like all other politicians, he is a hypocrite

Oh come on VB, can't you see that DC's completely sincere. The way he hugs those hoodies, rides that bicycle to work to save the planet. He even went on You Tube to reach out to show the rdinary folk like you and me that he's 'down' with us. Surely you can't doubt the integrity of such a fine paragon of the common man.

(I sudenly feel unclean after writing that and I think I need to take a shower now)

edit> note to the American VBFers. The above is sarcasm.

[wossname]

Cameron uses Vista. He has my vote. I don't care what you guys think.