More World Troubles Than 'Normal'?

[King Oberon]

I don't think the US has a monopoly on nutterism although they do have their fair share 

Being a child of the cold war armageddon never seems that far away perhaps a few more players in the game though 

[BashfulAnthony]

All this talk about armageddon.  Why the anxiety, it's not the end of the world.   

In all seriousness, the real danger is with the Muslim fundamentalists, and if they get hold of nuclear weapons.

[Outrider]

All this talk about armageddon.  Why the anxiety, it's not the end of the world.   

In all seriousness, the real danger is with the Muslim fundamentalists, and if they get hold of nuclear weapons.

In all seriousness, the real danger is with the Muslim fundamentalists, and if they get hold of nuclear weapons.

Fixed that for you - you also need to worry about the Christian fundamentalists in the US government trying to get control of their nuclear arsenal, and the Russian fundamentalists sabre-rattling, and the Zionists casually invading Arab territories in defiance of all good sense who already have their nuclear weapons.

Yes the Muslims are a threat, so are the rest of them.

O.

[BashfulAnthony]

All this talk about armageddon.  Why the anxiety, it's not the end of the world.   

In all seriousness, the real danger is with the Muslim fundamentalists, and if they get hold of nuclear weapons.

In all seriousness, the real danger is with the Muslim fundamentalists, and if they get hold of nuclear weapons.

Fixed that for you - you also need to worry about the Christian fundamentalists in the US government trying to get control of their nuclear arsenal, and the Russian fundamentalists sabre-rattling, and the Zionists casually invading Arab territories in defiance of all good sense who already have their nuclear weapons.

Yes the Muslims are a threat, so are the rest of them.

O.

The difference between all these groups is that that Isis types, for example, are actively attempting to destroy Western culture, as we speak, and have shown, graphically, that they will stop at nothing.

[Outrider]

The difference between all these groups is that that Isis types, for example, are actively attempting to destroy Western culture, as we speak, and have shown, graphically, that they will stop at nothing.

You don't think the Republicans are trying to destroy Western culture?

O.

[BashfulAnthony]

The difference between all these groups is that that Isis types, for example, are actively attempting to destroy Western culture, as we speak, and have shown, graphically, that they will stop at nothing.

You don't think the Republicans are trying to destroy Western culture?

O....

Do you?  You are the one suggesting such, aren't you?  If not, what are you on about?

[Outrider]

The difference between all these groups is that that Isis types, for example, are actively attempting to destroy Western culture, as we speak, and have shown, graphically, that they will stop at nothing.

You don't think the Republicans are trying to destroy Western culture?

O.

Do you?  You are the one suggesting such, aren't you?  If not, what are you on about?

Yes, I do, whereas you apparently only think it's the Muslim fundamentalists, at least that's how your post came across to me.

O.

[BashfulAnthony]

The difference between all these groups is that that Isis types, for example, are actively attempting to destroy Western culture, as we speak, and have shown, graphically, that they will stop at nothing.

You don't think the Republicans are trying to destroy Western culture?

O.

Do you?  You are the one suggesting such, aren't you?  If not, what are you on about?

Yes, I do, whereas you apparently only think it's the Muslim fundamentalists, at least that's how your post came across to me.

O.

I know nothing about these Republican activities.  Perhaps you could enlighten me about their views and strength and   resources, and the danger they pose.  What have they done, compared, for example, to ISIS?

[ekim]

There are a number of factors.  As somebody else has pointed out the technological means of disseminating the world news related to tensions and warfare have improved so much that it appears almost instantly in your living room.  During the last world war the actuality of warfare appeared in your 'living room' but other bad news was largely suppressed to maintain morale.
The technological means of killing people and destroying property has advanced considerably and continues to do so.  This coupled with the world population explosion and density probably means that there are more potential casualties and destruction of property and mass migrations.
As the world resources dwindle political power blocks will flex their muscles to exercise control over getting their 'share'.
As more and more people are forced to live in precarious geological zones e.g. lowland areas, tectonic areas, any natural disasters will create more casualties.  Diseases will spread more quickly.
.... and that's just the good news.

Can I take it that you agree with the OP then?

I get the impression that tensions across the world are growing but then this has probably always been the case when empires have risen and fallen and other power structures have fought to fill the vacuum.  The impression could arise from the competition between mass media outlets to outperform each other in public presentation.  Also with the advent of the Internet it is difficult for secrecy to be maintained by those wishing to suppress negative news or those with an agenda to present disinformation.  I suspect that as populations swell, it will become more and more difficult to control the masses that have they become critical.

[Jack Knave]

Little things break though which is why his death caused more of a stir than say a child dying elsewhere.

I think it also depends on our own experiences.  If you have lived somewhere where the death of a 3-year-old is commonplace, that image would not have been as powerful as it would have been for those of us who haven't.

For me, the most powerful pictures remain the kind of thing that we saw during the Ethiopian famine in the 80s and the famous picture of the Vietnamese lass who was alight having been hit by napalm.

Yes, the first cut is the deepest.

[Jack Knave]

There are a number of factors.  As somebody else has pointed out the technological means of disseminating the world news related to tensions and warfare have improved so much that it appears almost instantly in your living room.  During the last world war the actuality of warfare appeared in your 'living room' but other bad news was largely suppressed to maintain morale.
The technological means of killing people and destroying property has advanced considerably and continues to do so.  This coupled with the world population explosion and density probably means that there are more potential casualties and destruction of property and mass migrations.
As the world resources dwindle political power blocks will flex their muscles to exercise control over getting their 'share'.
As more and more people are forced to live in precarious geological zones e.g. lowland areas, tectonic areas, any natural disasters will create more casualties.  Diseases will spread more quickly.
.... and that's just the good news.

Can I take it that you agree with the OP then?

I get the impression that tensions across the world are growing but then this has probably always been the case when empires have risen and fallen and other power structures have fought to fill the vacuum.  The impression could arise from the competition between mass media outlets to outperform each other in public presentation.  Also with the advent of the Internet it is difficult for secrecy to be maintained by those wishing to suppress negative news or those with an agenda to present disinformation.  I suspect that as populations swell, it will become more and more difficult to control the masses that have they become critical.

...and, when tensions do grow things become polarized, as you suggest, and then things take off like a nuclear reaction.

[ekim]

There are a number of factors.  As somebody else has pointed out the technological means of disseminating the world news related to tensions and warfare have improved so much that it appears almost instantly in your living room.  During the last world war the actuality of warfare appeared in your 'living room' but other bad news was largely suppressed to maintain morale.
The technological means of killing people and destroying property has advanced considerably and continues to do so.  This coupled with the world population explosion and density probably means that there are more potential casualties and destruction of property and mass migrations.
As the world resources dwindle political power blocks will flex their muscles to exercise control over getting their 'share'.
As more and more people are forced to live in precarious geological zones e.g. lowland areas, tectonic areas, any natural disasters will create more casualties.  Diseases will spread more quickly.
.... and that's just the good news.

Can I take it that you agree with the OP then?

I get the impression that tensions across the world are growing but then this has probably always been the case when empires have risen and fallen and other power structures have fought to fill the vacuum.  The impression could arise from the competition between mass media outlets to outperform each other in public presentation.  Also with the advent of the Internet it is difficult for secrecy to be maintained by those wishing to suppress negative news or those with an agenda to present disinformation.  I suspect that as populations swell, it will become more and more difficult to control the masses that have they become critical.

...and, when tensions do grow things become polarized, as you suggest, and then things take off like a nuclear reaction.

Let's hope it doesn't become like Calhoun's rats:
" Using a variety of strains of rats and mice, he once more provided his populations with food, bedding, and shelter. With no predators and with exposure to disease kept at a minimum, Calhoun described his experimental universes as "rat utopia," "mouse paradise." With all their visible needs met, the animals bred rapidly. The only restriction Calhoun imposed on his population was of space--and as the population grew, this became increasingly problematic. As the pens heaved with animals, one of his assistants described rodent "utopia" as having become "hell."
Males became aggressive, some moving in groups, attacking females and the young. Mating behaviors were disrupted. Some males became exclusively homosexual. Others became pansexual and hypersexual, attempting to mount any rat they encountered. Mothers neglected their infants, first failing to construct proper nests, and then carelessly abandoning and even attacking their pups. In certain sections of the pens, infant mortality rose as high as 96%, the dead cannibalized by adults. Subordinate animals withdrew psychologically, surviving in a physical sense but at an immense psychological cost. They were the majority in the late phases of growth, existing as a vacant, huddled mass in the centre of the pens. Unable to breed, the population plummeted and did not recover. The crowded rodents had lost the ability to co-exist harmoniously, even after the population numbers once again fell to low levels. At a certain density, they had ceased to act like rats and mice, and the change was permanent. "

[Jack Knave]

There are a number of factors.  As somebody else has pointed out the technological means of disseminating the world news related to tensions and warfare have improved so much that it appears almost instantly in your living room.  During the last world war the actuality of warfare appeared in your 'living room' but other bad news was largely suppressed to maintain morale.
The technological means of killing people and destroying property has advanced considerably and continues to do so.  This coupled with the world population explosion and density probably means that there are more potential casualties and destruction of property and mass migrations.
As the world resources dwindle political power blocks will flex their muscles to exercise control over getting their 'share'.
As more and more people are forced to live in precarious geological zones e.g. lowland areas, tectonic areas, any natural disasters will create more casualties.  Diseases will spread more quickly.
.... and that's just the good news.

Can I take it that you agree with the OP then?

I get the impression that tensions across the world are growing but then this has probably always been the case when empires have risen and fallen and other power structures have fought to fill the vacuum.  The impression could arise from the competition between mass media outlets to outperform each other in public presentation.  Also with the advent of the Internet it is difficult for secrecy to be maintained by those wishing to suppress negative news or those with an agenda to present disinformation.  I suspect that as populations swell, it will become more and more difficult to control the masses that have they become critical.

...and, when tensions do grow things become polarized, as you suggest, and then things take off like a nuclear reaction.

Let's hope it doesn't become like Calhoun's rats:
" Using a variety of strains of rats and mice, he once more provided his populations with food, bedding, and shelter. With no predators and with exposure to disease kept at a minimum, Calhoun described his experimental universes as "rat utopia," "mouse paradise." With all their visible needs met, the animals bred rapidly. The only restriction Calhoun imposed on his population was of space--and as the population grew, this became increasingly problematic. As the pens heaved with animals, one of his assistants described rodent "utopia" as having become "hell."
Males became aggressive, some moving in groups, attacking females and the young. Mating behaviors were disrupted. Some males became exclusively homosexual. Others became pansexual and hypersexual, attempting to mount any rat they encountered. Mothers neglected their infants, first failing to construct proper nests, and then carelessly abandoning and even attacking their pups. In certain sections of the pens, infant mortality rose as high as 96%, the dead cannibalized by adults. Subordinate animals withdrew psychologically, surviving in a physical sense but at an immense psychological cost. They were the majority in the late phases of growth, existing as a vacant, huddled mass in the centre of the pens. Unable to breed, the population plummeted and did not recover. The crowded rodents had lost the ability to co-exist harmoniously, even after the population numbers once again fell to low levels. At a certain density, they had ceased to act like rats and mice, and the change was permanent. "

I had heard about that but had no name, or scientist, nor the extent of the details. Sounds very much like what is going on with the human race to me - sins of the fathers.

[ekim]

There are a number of factors.  As somebody else has pointed out the technological means of disseminating the world news related to tensions and warfare have improved so much that it appears almost instantly in your living room.  During the last world war the actuality of warfare appeared in your 'living room' but other bad news was largely suppressed to maintain morale.
The technological means of killing people and destroying property has advanced considerably and continues to do so.  This coupled with the world population explosion and density probably means that there are more potential casualties and destruction of property and mass migrations.
As the world resources dwindle political power blocks will flex their muscles to exercise control over getting their 'share'.
As more and more people are forced to live in precarious geological zones e.g. lowland areas, tectonic areas, any natural disasters will create more casualties.  Diseases will spread more quickly.
.... and that's just the good news.

Can I take it that you agree with the OP then?

I get the impression that tensions across the world are growing but then this has probably always been the case when empires have risen and fallen and other power structures have fought to fill the vacuum.  The impression could arise from the competition between mass media outlets to outperform each other in public presentation.  Also with the advent of the Internet it is difficult for secrecy to be maintained by those wishing to suppress negative news or those with an agenda to present disinformation.  I suspect that as populations swell, it will become more and more difficult to control the masses that have they become critical.

...and, when tensions do grow things become polarized, as you suggest, and then things take off like a nuclear reaction.

Let's hope it doesn't become like Calhoun's rats:
" Using a variety of strains of rats and mice, he once more provided his populations with food, bedding, and shelter. With no predators and with exposure to disease kept at a minimum, Calhoun described his experimental universes as "rat utopia," "mouse paradise." With all their visible needs met, the animals bred rapidly. The only restriction Calhoun imposed on his population was of space--and as the population grew, this became increasingly problematic. As the pens heaved with animals, one of his assistants described rodent "utopia" as having become "hell."
Males became aggressive, some moving in groups, attacking females and the young. Mating behaviors were disrupted. Some males became exclusively homosexual. Others became pansexual and hypersexual, attempting to mount any rat they encountered. Mothers neglected their infants, first failing to construct proper nests, and then carelessly abandoning and even attacking their pups. In certain sections of the pens, infant mortality rose as high as 96%, the dead cannibalized by adults. Subordinate animals withdrew psychologically, surviving in a physical sense but at an immense psychological cost. They were the majority in the late phases of growth, existing as a vacant, huddled mass in the centre of the pens. Unable to breed, the population plummeted and did not recover. The crowded rodents had lost the ability to co-exist harmoniously, even after the population numbers once again fell to low levels. At a certain density, they had ceased to act like rats and mice, and the change was permanent. "

I had heard about that but had no name, or scientist, nor the extent of the details. Sounds very much like what is going on with the human race to me - sins of the fathers.

There's further information here:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_B._Calhoun

[Outrider]

I know nothing about these Republican activities.  Perhaps you could enlighten me about their views and strength and   resources, and the danger they pose.  What have they done, compared, for example, to ISIS?

The Republican party in the US are, in the main (and particularly the 'Tea Party' movement within it): pro-Gun; anti-abortion in all instances; in favour of the state paying for (Christian) faith-based education; de-facto religious tests for public office; the right to discriminate against homosexuals; the conversion of the military to Christian fighting force; military agitation.

They already have access to nuclear weapons, as well as the best funded military in the world with some of the most advanced weapons platforms available. At the same time they are unrelentingly pro-Israel in a fragmented middle-Eastern situation, anti-science reality deniers on the education and environmental front and jingoistic cheerleaders for American protectionism economically.

In India we see the beginnings of a similar Hindu fundamentalism as Narendra Mohdi's associates replace the leadership of the secular institutions of India with Hindutva hard-liners whilst maintaining an official silence over the increase in anti-secular criminal activities in the form of murders, violent attacks and threats.

When the world's two largest democracies are in danger of being taken over by religious fundamentalist nut-jobs, the fact that Isis persists outside of any official channels in a relatively small, poor, badly-equipped area of the middle-East is important, but not the most significant threat to world peace.

O.

[BashfulAnthony]

I know nothing about these Republican activities.  Perhaps you could enlighten me about their views and strength and   resources, and the danger they pose.  What have they done, compared, for example, to ISIS?

The Republican party in the US are, in the main (and particularly the 'Tea Party' movement within it): pro-Gun; anti-abortion in all instances; in favour of the state paying for (Christian) faith-based education; de-facto religious tests for public office; the right to discriminate against homosexuals; the conversion of the military to Christian fighting force; military agitation.

They already have access to nuclear weapons, as well as the best funded military in the world with some of the most advanced weapons platforms available. At the same time they are unrelentingly pro-Israel in a fragmented middle-Eastern situation, anti-science reality deniers on the education and environmental front and jingoistic cheerleaders for American protectionism economically.

In India we see the beginnings of a similar Hindu fundamentalism as Narendra Mohdi's associates replace the leadership of the secular institutions of India with Hindutva hard-liners whilst maintaining an official silence over the increase in anti-secular criminal activities in the form of murders, violent attacks and threats.

When the world's two largest democracies are in danger of being taken over by religious fundamentalist nut-jobs, the fact that Isis persists outside of any official channels in a relatively small, poor, badly-equipped area of the middle-East is important, but not the most significant threat to world peace.

O.

The above is totally off the track.  You have established no case:  your casual dismissal of Isis is frightening:  the first paragraph is irrelevant to the discussion;  and you are at a complete divergence with the West's attitude to Isis and Muslim terrorism, where it is regarded as the main threat to our society.

[Sriram]

I know nothing about these Republican activities.  Perhaps you could enlighten me about their views and strength and   resources, and the danger they pose.  What have they done, compared, for example, to ISIS?

The Republican party in the US are, in the main (and particularly the 'Tea Party' movement within it): pro-Gun; anti-abortion in all instances; in favour of the state paying for (Christian) faith-based education; de-facto religious tests for public office; the right to discriminate against homosexuals; the conversion of the military to Christian fighting force; military agitation.

They already have access to nuclear weapons, as well as the best funded military in the world with some of the most advanced weapons platforms available. At the same time they are unrelentingly pro-Israel in a fragmented middle-Eastern situation, anti-science reality deniers on the education and environmental front and jingoistic cheerleaders for American protectionism economically.

In India we see the beginnings of a similar Hindu fundamentalism as Narendra Mohdi's associates replace the leadership of the secular institutions of India with Hindutva hard-liners whilst maintaining an official silence over the increase in anti-secular criminal activities in the form of murders, violent attacks and threats.

When the world's two largest democracies are in danger of being taken over by religious fundamentalist nut-jobs, the fact that Isis persists outside of any official channels in a relatively small, poor, badly-equipped area of the middle-East is important, but not the most significant threat to world peace.

O.

Yes...I generally agree with you. But the threat to secularism in India is not as much as people think. Even Modi is embarrassed with the antics of the Shiv Sena, RSS and others. He is not likely to support them very far and if he does he will be thrown out without much ado.  The majority of the people in India never tolerate fanaticism of any kind.

The problem is that for decades the congress has been seen as a minority supporting party...(it was also full of scams). This is why the BJP is now in power as a reaction to that. This happens every few years and the people try out another party. If they are unsatisfactory...they will be thrown out  unceremoniously.

[Outrider]

The above is totally off the track.

You are, of course, entitled to that opinion.

You have established no case:

You should, of course, remember that opinions are like arseholes.

your casual dismissal of Isis is frightening:

I did not 'casually dismiss' Isis, I merely said they weren't the worst threat to world peace at the moment, and I didn't even get to Russia or China.

the first paragraph is irrelevant to the discussion;

You expressed ignorance - deliberately, this time, rather than accidently - regarding the nature of American Republicanism, so I enlightened you. It's not a complete introduction, of course, and I'll freely confess that it's more than a little partisan, but it's eminently relevant.

and you are at a complete divergence with the West's attitude to Isis and Muslim terrorism, where it is regarded as the main threat to our society.

No, I'm at odds with the public relations output of Western governments and right-wing oriented media who want to spur jingoism by painting a black-and-white situation where there's a clear but eminently defeatable bogeyman that they can unload munitions at in some dusty, distant locale. I'm at odds with the Daily Mail/Express view of the world - frankly, I'm not too upset by that.

O.
[/quote]

[Rhiannon]

Arguably the motor car poses a greater threat than IS.

[Outrider]

Arguably the motor car poses a greater threat than IS.

To health, certainly, as things stand now. To peace...? Don't get me wrong, it's a pressing concern - I didn't go into threats to culture and civilisation from climate change and the like (beyond the reference to the Tea Party idiots).

O.

[Rhiannon]

In terms of us as individuals losing our lives it's a far greater threat right now. And how much war happens because of our desire to keep producing more cars and more fuel for more cars?

[Gonnagle]

Dear Rhiannon,

Cars!! I suppose you must, but do you have places in your area like Cumbernauld and East Kilbride, new towns, they seem to be built mainly for car owners.

It might just be me, but it seems that when you walk in these areas it is not pedestrian friendly, walkers have to go out of their way to navigate, I find these new towns very unfriendly.

Gonnagle.

[Outrider]

In terms of us as individuals losing our lives it's a far greater threat right now. And how much war happens because of our desire to keep producing more cars and more fuel for more cars?

Indeed - I was tempted to include the links between 'Big Oil' and the funding of the Republican party, but I think it probably unfairly singles them out in that, the Democrats aren't a whole lot better when it comes to their funding sources.

And, of course, the reason the middle-East has the finances to support war efforts, and the reason anyone cares in the first place, is the oil - same argument for why Britain went to the expense of standing up for the Falklands.

O.

[Outrider]

Dear Rhiannon,

Cars!! I suppose you must, but do you have places in your area like Cumbernauld and East Kilbride, new towns, they seem to be built mainly for car owners.

It might just be me, but it seems that when you walk in these areas it is not pedestrian friendly, walkers have to go out of their way to navigate, I find these new towns very unfriendly.

Gonnagle.

Perhaps 'cars' is a slight inaccuracy - the internal combustion engine, then? Roll on the fuel-cell

O.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Outrider,

I was thinking more about scrapping cars all together, claim back our roads for walkers and because I like cycling, more cycle paths.

I am not a fan of buses but if I could travel to work by train

Gonnagle.