Primitive vs. Modern (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid



Message

Timesamyth -> Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 1:14:16 AM)

I've been pondering this for a little while. The emergence of more and more technology; all the advancement that has taken place in such a short period of time. Should we try and slow down the process and attempt to live without dependence on computers, medicine etc.? Or should we be moving at the pace we our going? (rhetorical).  The real question is.... Did evolving help or hinder us?  What do you think?

My opinion is this. We never should have evolved to the level we have. I think we have moved past our potential, and into unfamiliar territory (Since around the time of homo erectus). However, I have a hard time imagining what it would be like to live without computers, telephones, etc.

( If this topic has already been done. I don't care....)



MadAxeman -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 1:24:20 AM)

Not sure, have your people do a cave wall painting to my people.



philosophy -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 1:26:07 AM)

.....uninventing things is hard. It's been tried too. Cambodia, Pol Pot, Year Zero. Not a pretty picture.

Arguably, technology is as human an artefact as anything. Technology is a tool, lots of animals use tools. We, as a species, have just specialised in tool making.......if we try to deny that, try to turn the clock back, we simply deny an intrinsic part of what being human is all about......



tweedydaddy -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 1:26:44 AM)

So you made your coffee this morning by running out and lighting a fire?
After getting the water for it from a river and sleeping in a tree naturally, if it wasn't for evolution you would already be dead at your age.
In an evolving universe, anything that does not evolve is going backwards at blinding speed.
Nature is not utopia, ask any chimp.



rosanegra -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 1:27:56 AM)

Well hello! :D

The answer, for me, would be both. On one hand, it sucks when we have this technology in front of us... and then it stops working, or you have problems with it. If we didn't know what was possible, we wouldn't find ourselves frustrated because of technology not working.

At the same time, I feel I am able to be healthier sexually because of the information available through technology. I feel like I am better able to maintain my emotional stability because I am not stranded in the middle of nowhere with no ability to talk to anyone, especially my husband.

But then again, if I didn't know what it was to be able to keep in touch with people so easily, would I miss it?

So.. life is better with technology. I don't think we can step back because now we know what we can have, and will always want all of that and more.

Would we have been better off without it in the first place? There are times I think we might have. Other times... usually when my husband comes online and spends two hours talking to me.. I know I am glad I've got the ability to do that.



came4U -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 2:02:24 AM)

Curiosity is the sin that Adam was forewarned not to dabble in.  Eve chose to be curious of knowledge, knowledge that Adam claimed that God told him he was not yet qualified to question or seek. 

Since then, it has never ended. 

Yet with any scientific discovery or endevour (electricity, computers, telephones, space, etc) comes the very few who are named as creative masters of such (the Einsteins, Gates, von Braun). Do they come to this knowledge by accident or divine intervention?

The only answer is in a human's ability to distinguish between whether any given invention is an improvement or an impairment. (ie: radioactivity, atom splitting, CERN) Most can't tell the difference.  If so, it should never be in their hands to begin with.  To de-evolve would not change much, humans in general have a habit of behaviors on the same disfunctional timeline.  We repeat history often.  We often never learn.

Enlightenment powers begotten from wielding responsibility is they only way to live a life free of technology.  Therefore we are not ready to see in the dark, read minds or eat without causing environmental havok.  We likely never will.  We are dodo birds in Nikes. 

*The Creator has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do. Orison Swett Marden,



NorthernGent -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 2:53:49 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Timesamyth

The real question is.... Did evolving help or hinder us?  What do you think?



The answer, of course, is that technological evolution has increased our avenues for opportunity, while providing pitfalls.

There are two sides to every coin. The question is this: why does one particular side of the coin occupy your mind?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Timesamyth

My opinion is this. We never should have evolved to the level we have. I think we have moved past our potential



History is progess. Take a look at language, institutions, political frameworks, science, technology, life expectancy etc.



SL4V3M4YB3 -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 7:32:26 AM)

Things will slow down technology wise whether we want it or not, many people predict this. Also factor in the global slowdown which is obviously also leading to a reduction in R and D budgets. There is a reason why Intel have started going down this duel core quad core route.  



DarkSteven -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 8:18:34 AM)

More info.

What specifically is it that you dislike or distrust about technology?  That it distances people?  That is sucks up energy?  That it litters the earth?

I don't think of a single thing as "technology".  Rather, I see numerous products, each made possible through technological advances.



Maya2001 -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 8:43:59 AM)

medicine has been around since almost the dawn of mankind  even wild animals use medicine to heal and protect themselves

Here is a example of the use of clay for medical use  in primative culture and by wild animals...  this same clay is still used today in both human and veterinary  medicine   http://www.eytonsearth.org/clay-use-primitives.php 

charcoal is another example of primative medicine still used today

some groups in society have chosen not accept advancements eg  old order mennonites  they still use real horse power, they have no phones, hydro , electric or gas operated tools , they make their own garments , they live off their land, with not accept blood transfusions to save their lives..their lives are harder, but simpler...many of their children do not survive to adulthood

I do  not mind camping and cottaging with out all the advantages  for brief spells and as long as the weather is comfortable ..but I like my luxuries and comforts   and would not want to give them up nor do I want to give up the medical advancement.. I have seen the success of treating serious brain injuries that would have once upon a time leave a person as a non functioning human  a near vegative state and am amazed at seeing a couple that have suffered very severe injuries in recent years return to become functioning and productive people again  who are able to live independantly or surgeries to pin bones  in limbs to allow full function again, which once upon a time  would have left a useless limb..many of the newer medical technologies has made surgeries far easier and less risky and makes recovery far easier  ... for me that is not a negative





Musicmystery -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 8:44:53 AM)

~FR~

Does anybody else get the impression we're doing students' homework for them in some of these threads?



celticlord2112 -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 9:06:14 AM)

quote:

Did evolving help or hinder us? What do you think?

Evolution, like shit and politics, happens.  "Helping" or "hindering" is not part of the package.



celticlord2112 -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 9:07:47 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

~FR~

Does anybody else get the impression we're doing students' homework for them in some of these threads?

If you're right, there's a bunch of under 18 types that are violating the TOS....



Musicmystery -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 9:08:55 AM)

cl,

I meant college students. Sorry about the confusion.



celticlord2112 -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 9:14:45 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

cl,

I meant college students. Sorry about the confusion.

That's even worse.  I shudder to think about the ramifications towards the state of higher education if these are the "difficult" questions in colleges today!



Musicmystery -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 9:18:16 AM)

Agreed.



Aneirin -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 10:47:06 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

~FR~

Does anybody else get the impression we're doing students' homework for them in some of these threads?


Yes you are, for I know a few people including myself who have posed questions on here to get another perspective. One of my friends even got her answer to her homework in the first five postings to her thread. And why not, isn't it good that people choose this place and you lot to bounce ideas off, you are so good and most of you do your best in helping others.

In answer to the OP's question, our reliance on technology may well come to a slow point or even an end when it is that the generation of electricity becomes so  expensive that it's use will be only for the most essential things. Energy stops being produced then that will be the end of much of our technology as everything now seems to need electricity to make it work.

Just think of it, what is it you have and rely on that does not need electricity to function, think also about things though they do not depend on electricity to be of use, require electricity in their manufacture. I cannot think of much, as even hand tools produced today require some level of machining.

I suppose it could be thought of that we live on the edge with our reliance on technology, what with energy production based largely on fossil fuels. Nuclear would be the answer, but there is not enough nuclear power generators as we rely on a fuel which is running out and is costing more and more all the time, not to mention it's precarious production, what would it take for a terrorist group to knock out the wells even for a short time, if not forever.



came4U -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 11:36:02 AM)

quote:

Does anybody else get the impression we're doing students' homework for them in some of these threads?


Their tough luck if they were to copy and paste some answers without reading it....to find a couple of 'tie you up, beat you, cock and ball torture' comments slipped into the middle of a paragraph. LOL

I should have done that just to see if they are paying attention.  Also, when they are asked where they got this information and they disclose it..I might bag me a yummy prof.



kdsub -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 11:51:17 AM)

We are just part of the natural progression of our race...in the vastness of time and space we are but newcomers. If we manage to overcome our hate and jealousy's we may be worthy of our time in the universe.

I don't however think new is always good that's for sure. Art is timeless for an example as well as things like architecture. Imagine much built today that will last 200 years let alone 2,000 years.

Butch



DesertRat -> RE: Primitive vs. Modern (11/15/2008 12:07:57 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: celticlord2112
quote:

Did evolving help or hinder us? What do you think?

Evolution, like shit and politics, happens.  "Helping" or "hindering" is not part of the package.


Damn! I was gonna say that. Making stuff is not evolution, even if the stuff gets more and more complex and interacts in systems that become increasingly complex. Right now, it looks like our human type of intelligence is a trait that has served us well, as a species. In a couple thousand years, "we" might look back and see that the resistance of some individuals to things like cancer, malaria, or HIV, for example, were the really important traits. Or we may never know. Or we may see that the whole point is moot. Moot. Say that word a few times in a row just for fun. Okay...where was I? Oh yeah...anyway, I think the question posed by the OP is a good one but should be restated to leave the word "evolution" out of the discussion.

My opinion only,
Bob



Page: [1] 2 3   next >   >>

Valid CSS!




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy
0.03125