Religion and Ethics Forum
General Category => Science and Technology => Topic started by: Hope on January 19, 2016, 12:58:47 PM
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... or so suggests Professor Stephen Hawking.
Three of the examples of potential danger he refers to are nuclear war, global warming and genetically-engineered viruses.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35344664
I have sometimes wondered whether the popularity of trying to keep people alive longer and longer may also be a potential threat to our society.
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Can't be doing with the man, myself.
He might be a genius and what have you, but I think he sets a terrible example to his kids, sitting in front of a computer all day.
Seriously, I think the danger of a nuclear war is lower now than it has been since nuclear weapons were invented seventy years ago. Genetically-engineered viruses also seem a remote possibility (though he's bound to know more about the subject than I do). Of the three, overpopulation and climate change are what will royally screw us, because nobody has the minerals to do what needs to be done.
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Can't be doing with the man, myself.
He might be a genius and what have you, but I think he sets a terrible example to his kids, sitting in front of a computer all day.
Seriously, I think the danger of a nuclear war is lower now than it has been since nuclear weapons were invented seventy years ago. Genetically-engineered viruses also seem a remote possibility (though he's bound to know more about the subject than I do). Of the three, overpopulation and climate change are what will royally screw us, because nobody has the minerals to do what needs to be done.
Agreed.
It is the mindless destruction and use of the planet's resources without any real attempts to find alternatives that will, in all probability, seal humanity's death warrant.
On the matter of nuclear war, there are, as at today's date, two potential flash points that might ignite a nuclear war and they are both the result of hatred directed against America - North Korea and the Middle East. The main problem here is that in attempting to wipe out America it is quite possible that all life, including the instigators of the conflict, are likely to be wiped out, especially in view of America's most probable response.
Attitudes like those of Donald Trump are doing nothing to lessen the possibility of that conflict. Only my opinion of course!
Note to self - Do NOT post while tired or pissed or both - it causes unnecessary typo's!
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On the matter of nuclear war there are, as at today's date two potential flash points that might ignite a nuclear war and they are both the result of hatred dierected against America - North Korea and the Midle East. The main proble here is that in attempting to wipe out America it is quite possible that all life, including the instigators of the conflict, are likely to be wiped out, especially in view of America's most probable response.
The greater danger of the two, I would suggest, is North Korea - but even then, is the regime really insane enough to instigate a course of action which will rain down radioactive death and destruction on a country so many times smaller than the US? I find it hard to believe.
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The greater danger of the two, I would suggest, is North Korea - but even then, is the regime really insane enough to instigate a course of action which will rain down radioactive death and destruction on a country so many times smaller than the US? I find it hard to believe.
It only needs one nut to press the button. >:(
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It only needs one nut to press the button. >:(
Actually no - because even in the land of pudgy little dictators with bad haircuts, there are protocols to follow to initiate the deployment of nuclear weapons. These things aren't left in the hands of just one individual, just as we don't let my dad have the remote control for the telly.
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Actually no - because even in the land of pudgy little dictators with bad haircuts, there are protocols to follow to initiate the deployment of nuclear weapons. These things aren't left in the hands of just one individual, just as we don't let my dad have the remote control for the telly.
I hope you are right! :)
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Seriously, I think the danger of a nuclear war is lower now than it has been since nuclear weapons were invented seventy years ago. Genetically-engineered viruses also seem a remote possibility (though he's bound to know more about the subject than I do). Of the three, overpopulation and climate change are what will royally screw us, because nobody has the minerals to do what needs to be done.
I suppose it depends on what one defines as a 'genetically-engineered virus'. Is it simply one that is developed in a laboratory, or is it one that results from the overuse/abuse of medications? As for overpopulation, I think the real issue is the lack of access to water in many pats of the globe - regardless of whether or not it is clean.
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I suppose it depends on what one defines as a 'genetically-engineered virus'. Is it simply one that is developed in a laboratory, or is it one that results from the overuse/abuse of medications? As for overpopulation, I think the real issue is the lack of access to water in many pats of the globe - regardless of whether or not it is clean.
It stands to reason that unless population control is achieved in one way or another, our future is bleak.
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I hope you are right! :)
The number of near-misses, almosts and very-nearlies with regard to nuclear weapons during the Cold War is absolutely staggering - don't read up on this if you want to sleep soundly at night ever again (although it's absolutely fascinating - to me, anyway). At least two Russian military men are known to have averted a nuclear exchange between the USA and the USSR (as it was), at least one of them by deliberately disobeying training and orders:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasili_Arkhipov
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislav_Petrov
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The number of near-misses, almosts and very-nearlies with regard to nuclear weapons during the Cold War is absolutely staggering - don't read up on this if you want to sleep soundly at night ever again (although it's absolutely fascinating - to me, anyway). At least two Russian military men are known to have averted a nuclear exchange between the USA and the USSR (as it was), at least one of them by deliberately disobeying training and orders:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasili_Arkhipov
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislav_Petrov
Yes, I'd read this too. It is incredible, but doesn't keep me awake at night. Something my brain has the ability to park I guess.
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The number of near-misses, almosts and very-nearlies with regard to nuclear weapons during the Cold War is absolutely staggering - don't read up on this if you want to sleep soundly at night ever again (although it's absolutely fascinating - to me, anyway). At least two Russian military men are known to have averted a nuclear exchange between the USA and the USSR (as it was), at least one of them by deliberately disobeying training and orders:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasili_Arkhipov
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislav_Petrov
Oh gawd ... I want my mum! :'(
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Oh gawd ... I want my mum! :'(
Don't read this then:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24183879
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1961_Goldsboro_B-52_crash
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/11/timeline-nuclear-weapons-accidents-mishaps-near-misses
http://www.history.com/news/9-tales-of-broken-arrows-thermonuclear-near-misses-throughout-history
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It stands to reason that unless population control is achieved in one way or another, our future is bleak.
I wondering wheth these drug-resistant organisms will act as population control. ;)
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I wondering wheth these drug-resistant organisms will act as population control. ;)
We have to become extinct sooner or later! :)
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I have sometimes wondered whether the popularity of trying to keep people alive longer and longer may also be a potential threat to our society.
Yes much safer in the old days when killing people was in fashion.
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Yes much safer in the old days when killing people was in fashion.
Hadn't thought of that system, jaks - was actually thinking of people being allowed to die naturally rather than encouraged (perhaps even forced, in some cases) to live beyond their natural span - ie those who opt not to be resucitated - yet are; or who are loaded up with so many drugs to keep them alive as to make them little more than mobile pill-boxes!!
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We have to become extinct sooner or later! :)
We as individuals or as a species? Is there an evolutionary imperative for the latter?
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Yes much safer in the old days when killing people was in fashion.
That's something that's never out of fashion.
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Hadn't thought of that system, jaks - was actually thinking of people being allowed to die naturally rather than encouraged (perhaps even forced, in some cases) to live beyond their natural span - ie those who opt not to be resucitated - yet are; or who are loaded up with so many drugs to keep them alive as to make them little more than mobile pill-boxes!!
What colour is the sky in your world? (a) everyone dies naturally, (b) there hasn't been a time when we didn't try to save people, we just got good at it, (c) if you go down to the ironymonger's shop I've got them to put aside some for you to help you read posts.
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We as individuals or as a species? Is there an evolutionary imperative for the latter?
You've heard the words 'evolutionary imperative' and just decided to bung them in a sentence to make it all spiffy, haven't you? If it's not that, I'm struggling to begin to make sense of your post.
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Actually no - because even in the land of pudgy little dictators with bad haircuts, there are protocols to follow to initiate the deployment of nuclear weapons. These things aren't left in the hands of just one individual, just as we don't let my dad have the remote control for the telly.
Are you really sure about that?
In North Korea do you really think, even knowing the little we do know of the internal workings of the country, that Kim would allow anyone but homself to make the final decision "to launch or not to launch"?
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Are you really sure about that?
In North Korea do you really think, even knowing the little we do know of the internal workings of the country, that Kim would allow anyone but homself to make the final decision "to launch or not to launch"?
Somebody mention North Korea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEaKX9YYHiQ
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We as individuals or as a species? Is there an evolutionary imperative for the latter?
As a species. Most species either evolve into something else or become extinct.
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It only needs one nut to press the button. >:(
Thank goodness Brazil doesn't have nuclear weapons then. ;)
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Good grief.
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As a species. Most species either evolve into something else or become extinct.
So, there isn't an evolutionary imperative that species have to become extinct. ;)
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...(b) there hasn't been a time when we didn't try to save people, we just got good at it, ...
and I'm simply asking whether we have become too good at it? It seems to be that the means of extending people's lives is almost the main job of medical scientists now. Perhaps something to do with our - Western, at least - fear or dislike of death.
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So, there isn't an evolutionary imperative that species have to become extinct. ;)
Except that of the evolving universe! Planet earth is doomed sooner or later. :(
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Dear Leonard,
It stands to reason that unless population control is achieved in one way or another, our future is bleak.
Hans Rosling is your man, ending poverty is the answer.
http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_on_global_population_growth
Gonnagle.
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Dear Leonard,
Hans Rosling is your man, ending poverty is the answer.
http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_on_global_population_growth
Gonnagle.
Sounds like a good start. :)
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It only needs one nut to press the button. >:(
Like Donald Trump if the US electorate were ever crazy enough to vote him in as President!
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Like Donald Trump if the US electorate were ever crazy enough to vote him in as President!
The problem here is that they are just, as a mob, stupid enough as to be likely to do so.
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Like Donald Trump if the US electorate were ever crazy enough to vote him in as President!
Will Sarah Palin's endorsement help or hinder him?
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Attitudes like those of Donald Trump are doing nothing to lessen the possibility of that conflict. Only my opinion of course!
I reckon this desperate rhetoric from the US is because they know they are weakening. You never get this stressed out verbiage from the strong.
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It only needs one nut to press the button. >:(
Shouldn't that be a loose screw!
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Shouldn't that be a loose screw!
:) :) :) :)
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As for overpopulation, I think the real issue is the lack of access to water in many pats of the globe - regardless of whether or not it is clean.
I agree, but I think it will be more of a perfect storm where many issues conflate. So not just water but food i.e. bad crops due to storms and lack of rain in our bread bowls. Migration, which is going on now, cause of shortages in given area and fleeing from wars. Financial and political break down especially because of the heinous greed of the Elites which has left the people in an impoverished state of affairs.
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The number of near-misses, almosts and very-nearlies with regard to nuclear weapons during the Cold War is absolutely staggering - don't read up on this if you want to sleep soundly at night ever again (although it's absolutely fascinating - to me, anyway). At least two Russian military men are known to have averted a nuclear exchange between the USA and the USSR (as it was), at least one of them by deliberately disobeying training and orders:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasili_Arkhipov
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislav_Petrov
There was a TV programme on this some years ago. I think one of these events happened in the 80's (?). Scared the shit out me to know just how easy it is for things to be misread with mega issues like this.
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There was a TV programme on this some years ago. I think one of these events happened in the 80's (?). Scared the shit out me to know just how easy it is for things to be misread with mega issues like this.
(Smuggly) When you get to my age it doesn't worry you too much! :)
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Oh gawd ... I want my mum! :'(
That's mummy!
Come on Leonard regress properly, no half measures here PLEASE!!!
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I wondering wheth these drug-resistant organisms will act as population control. ;)
Oh I forgot things like bird flu epidemics. Being so globally linked these things can spread like wild fire.
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That's mummy!
Come on Leonard regress properly, no half measures here PLEASE!!!
When I was a child, mummy was considered a bit sissy if you were referring to your mother. :)
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(Smuggly) When you get to my age it doesn't worry you too much! :)
You were crying for your mummy a minute ago.
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When I was a child, mummy was considered a bit sissy if you were referring to your mother. :)
But that is what regression is all about.
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You were crying for your mummy a minute ago.
Nah, that was my mum. Mummies are embalmed dead people.
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Nah, that was my mum. Mummies are embalmed dead people.
I see! Very telling.
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The problem here is that they are just, as a mob, stupid enough as to be likely to do so.
If you talk to most Americans, you'll find they do not think it at all likely that Trump will get in. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt until he does.
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If you talk to most Americans, you'll find they do not think it at all likely that Trump will get in. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt until he does.
So you have talked to a majority of the US population/electorate?
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So you have talked to a majority of the US population/electorate?
Pollsters have.
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Pollsters have.
I very much doubt that- the usual polling ratio is about one in ten to fifty thousand.