In what direction is humanity evolving culturally and politically?

[Moonbeam]

Hasn't the whole of human cultural evolution been one of increasing liberalism supplanting and replacing the liberal evolution that took place yesterday. Aren't todays conservatives, even the most extreme, tame by comparison to the most liberal thinking of the dark ages? It amuses me that conservatives seem to think that the state of advancement of liberals today will be the sacred backward ideas of conservatives tomorrow. Conservatives seem to see the present as the only moment in time. Do you see things this way?

 

[Nograts]

I have no idea what you just said but.....FIRST!

 

[nickqt]

Hasn't the whole of human cultural evolution been one of increasing liberalism supplanting and replacing the liberal evolution that took place yesterday. Aren't todays conservatives, even the most extreme, tame by comparison to the most liberal thinking of the dark ages? It amuses me that conservatives seem to think that the state of advancement of liberals today will be the sacred backward ideas of conservatives tomorrow. Conservatives seem to see the present as the only moment in time. Do you see things this way?

Pretty much. A lot of the time it's one step forward, two steps back. Some people just think it would be better if we took two or three steps back for every step forward.

Standing athwart history and yelling Stop!, and whatnot.

 

[TheSlamma]

It's just cycles. Every group gets stomped on for awhile, then when one group finally gets decent treatment people look for someone else to stomp on. Irish, Native Americans, Blacks, Mexicans, Gays.. always someone available to not tolerate.

Cyrus the great allowed cultural and religious freedom to those who he conquered TWENTY FIVE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.. so much for 'evolution' we continue to find ways to hit the reset button on that.

 

[Vic]

Yesterday's liberals are tomorrow's conservatives.

 

[Nograts]

Libruhl's yadda yadda, conservative right wingers yadda yadda, guns and cops. #blacklivesmatter.

Am I doing this right moonbeam?

 

[sandorski]

Liberalism tends to continue in a Culture until either that Culture collapses due to unseen forces or Conservatism rises up to stamp it out. While Liberalism flourishes all forms of advancement are made, from Science, to Liberty, to quality of Life. Conservatism brings stagnation.

 

[gevorg]

 

[norseamd]

Hasn't the whole of human cultural evolution been one of increasing liberalism supplanting and replacing the liberal evolution that took place yesterday. Aren't todays conservatives, even the most extreme, tame by comparison to the most liberal thinking of the dark ages? It amuses me that conservatives seem to think that the state of advancement of liberals today will be the sacred backward ideas of conservatives tomorrow. Conservatives seem to see the present as the only moment in time. Do you see things this way?

Careful about going too far in the direction of Francis Fukuyama.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...fukuyama_no_really/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

 

[Sunburn74]

I think in general we are moving more and more towards isolationism, both individually and politically (think about the widening gulf between the extremes of our political views in example or the increasingly utilized non-confrontational foreign policies most western countries currently harbor. You can even think about the personal isolation and its associated existential crisis technology has created. Think about it: I'm talking to strangers about this topic at 5:37 in the AM as opposed to close friends).

At the same time, as we move towards isolationism it has allowed for more open-mindedness as long as topic at hand is being done "in isolation". I'm not sure if this too is a manifestation of a trend towards non-confrontation and passive aggressiveness.

 

[Angry Irishman]

To hell in a hand basket on a rocket ship.....

We are going the way of the Roman Empire.

 

[gamervivek]

We can paraphrase Chesterton's remark about reforming without reference to form by saying it is futile to criticize without first appreciating. The conservative is bewildered by the comprehensive dissatisfaction of people who are always heedlong about "reform" (as they conceive it) or are even eager to "build a new society." What, exactly, is wrong with society as it is already? This isn't just a defiant rhetorical question; it needs an answer. We don't have the power to change everything, and it may not be such a bright idea to try; there are plenty of things that deserve the effort (and it is an effort) of preserving, and the undistinguishing mania for "change" doesn't do them justice--isn't even concerned with doing them justice. What we really ought to ask the liberal, before we even begin addressing his agenda, is this: In what kind of society would he be a conservative?

- Pensees: Notes for the reactionary of tomorrow. Joe Sobran, 1985

 

[Blue_Max]

To hell in a hand basket on a rocket ship.....

We are going the way of the Roman Empire.

I was going to say "circling the drain" but you beat me to it (with a flourish!) :thumbsup:

There's still a chance we may survive the "great collapse", however it may come.

There's still a chance we may learn from our mistakes... this time...

Maybe, just maybe, overcome our base instincts? *sigh*

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I think most hope that we're evolving towards the "Star Trek" world -- where all needs are fulfilled because of technology and because of that, you're free to focus on what you really enjoy without worries about compensation and paying the bills.

Unfortunately I don't believe that will ever happen or at least, won't happen in the timeframe the show suggests (23rd century). There are still too many vast differences in the world in terms of wealth, religious dogmatism, and greed and corruption is stronger than ever. I DO believe automation will make most jobs obsolete within the next 100 to 150 years so huge cultural changes will be necessary and we may see them start in our lifetimes.

 

[inachu]

If you support https://twitter.com/Barbara_Spectre then europe will fail.

 

[dmcowen674]

In what direction is humanity evolving culturally and politically?

Aren't todays conservatives, even the most extreme, tame by comparison to the most liberal thinking of the dark ages?

Just look at the posts by the conservatards in the gas thread.

The cowardly losers blatantly lie with every post they make.

Hiding behind computer monitors has de-evolved humanity back to the brain size of an zygote.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Just look at the posts by the conservatards in the gas thread.

The cowardly losers blatantly lie with every post they make.

Hiding behind computer monitors has de-evolved humanity back to the brain size of an zygote.

This kind of deceitful human trash will hopefully become extinct in the next few hundred years.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Just look at the posts by the conservatards in the gas thread.

The cowardly losers blatantly lie with every post they make.

Hiding behind computer monitors has de-evolved humanity back to the brain size of an zygote.

Is that why you hide behind your monitor and refuse to answer the questions concerning your prediction that gas would hit $6/gal last spring and $10/gal by the end of the year? If anyone in that thread is being dishonest and deceitful, it's you.

 

[Moonbeam]

To hell in a hand basket on a rocket ship.....

We are going the way of the Roman Empire.

Which 'we'? The US is becoming more conservative as it becomes more frightened of losing status and wealth, but China is liberalizing. The US is not humanity nor is it central in cultural evolution. California perhaps is but that phenomenon may well move to the mega cities in China and India.

 

[Moonbeam]

Is that why you hide behind your monitor and refuse to answer the questions concerning your prediction that gas would hit $6/gal last spring and $10/gal by the end of the year? If anyone in that thread is being dishonest and deceitful, it's you.

I don't know if dishonest and deceitful are the words I would use to describe the conservative reactions so far in this thread, but they do seem to manifest as putdowns. That, of course, means, feelings are involved, negative ones, that is.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

I don't know if dishonest and deceitful are the words I would use to describe the conservative reactions so far in this thread, but they do seem to manifest as putdowns. That, of course, means, feelings are involved, negative ones, that is.

What in the world are you going on about? You seem to read things into what others have posted based on some weird ass shit you have running around in your head which has nothing to do with what was posted.

 

[Moonbeam]

Quote:
We can paraphrase Chesterton's remark about reforming without reference to form by saying it is futile to criticize without first appreciating. The conservative is bewildered by the comprehensive dissatisfaction of people who are always heedlong about "reform" (as they conceive it) or are even eager to "build a new society." What, exactly, is wrong with society as it is already? This isn't just a defiant rhetorical question; it needs an answer. We don't have the power to change everything, and it may not be such a bright idea to try; there are plenty of things that deserve the effort (and it is an effort) of preserving, and the undistinguishing mania for "change" doesn't do them justice--isn't even concerned with doing them justice. What we really ought to ask the liberal, before we even begin addressing his agenda, is this: In what kind of society would he be a conservative?

- Pensees: Notes for the reactionary of tomorrow. Joe Sobran, 1985

There seems to be an underlying unacknowledged assumption here that liberal change is change for the sake of change, rather than change motivated by a sense of injustice felt regarding something in the status quo. It strikes me as very conservative not to be able to distinguish the difference between novelty and moral indignation of the progressive kind, not having the kind of moral vision that liberals do. I am not saying inferior moral vision, or lacking in moral vision. I am saying differently weighted moral vision.

A liberal may, for example, wish to change the institution of slavery, sensing the injustice and inequality it implies, but a conservative may give weight to the fact that all those institutions that depend on it will collapse creating chaos in society. How one weighs moral dilemmas determines what position you will take.

 

[Moonbeam]

What in the world are you going on about? You seem to read things into what others have posted based on some weird ass shit you have running around in your head which has nothing to do with what was posted.

The weird ass shit running around in my head having nothing to do with want was posted is probably just my deeper understanding of psychological truths you are as of yet unaware.

If you care to be specific about your complaint, and describe exactly what you mean with clear examples, I will try to explain the connections. Do not assume, however, that because you got lost, I will be able to easily guide you out. As you know, one of my big insights into human nature is that people get lost by choice and like it that way.

This purpose of this thread, for example, is to shine a light on the fact that conservatives are actually the very thing they hate, but a dollar short and a day late, as it were. That is a fact so obvious as to be amazing it isn't easily universal dogma. I think it would be were it not so inconvenient for conservative thinkers to come to grips with.

PS: Your post did exactly what I described, put me down. How interesting, no?

 

[brianmanahan]

humanity is evolving all the right junk in all the right places

 

[Greenman]

Liberalism tends to continue in a Culture until either that Culture collapses due to unseen forces or Conservatism rises up to stamp it out. While Liberalism flourishes all forms of advancement are made, from Science, to Liberty, to quality of Life. Conservatism brings stagnation.

This is the sort of cultism that destroys society's. You've created an enemy where there is only a different point of view. You then proceed to convince yourself that you're superior, that people that don't believe as you do are stupid, they have to be stopped, they have to be controlled, their foolish ideas have to be stamped out.
Your thinking is locked into extremes just as moonies is.