Is the world getting better?

[ArmchairGeneral]

In the long run, is the world on an upward or downward trend, or is it going both directions at once? By long run I mean at least the past century or two, preferably longer, say all of known history. If you consider the questions too simple, tell us how. Materially equals econ/law/gov't, health, environment, world peace. Morally equals Hitler, Mother Teresa, Stalin, civil rights, etc.

[THL]

In the long run, is the world on an upward or downward trend, or is it going both directions at once? By long run I mean at least the past century or two, preferably longer, say all of known history. If you consider the questions too simple, tell us how. Materially equals econ/law/gov't, health, environment, world peace. Morally equals Hitler, Mother Teresa, Stalin, civil rights, etc.

AG - Whats up with you and all the polls?


Oh, Wait - Maybe you are not the late mass-poll-creator. I have but half my mind this evening - my bad.

[Parihaka]

AG - Whats up with you and all the polls?

Only people who have voted may ask questions

[THL]

Only people who have voted may ask questions

Who made that rule?

Oh Damn!! That was a question, wasn't it?

Sh!t...there I went again with the questions, didn't I?

Oh for crying out loud, why must I keep on with the questions? I am going to have to vote multiple times now, aren't I?

[T-bone]

Morally equals Hitler.

WTF.

[ArmchairGeneral]

AG - Whats up with you and all the polls?


Oh, Wait - Maybe you are not the late mass-poll-creator. I have but half my mind this evening - my bad.

Actually this is my first poll ever, and my second thread ever. No problem, though.

(edit) Make that my third thread. Oops.

[ArmchairGeneral]

WTF.

That is intended to be an example of moral deterioration, not improvement. Next example is Mother Teresa, obviously at the other end of the spectrum.

[gunnut]

The world was getting better until Bushitler took office. Then it went to the shiiters. The world will start to improve again once he leaves office. And one day, I will find manbearpig.

[Parihaka]

Can somebody point me to where the world has got worse, either morally or materially, over say the last 200 years?

[2DREZQ]

Can somebody point me to where the world has got worse, either morally or materially, over say the last 200 years?

Yes, They've stopped making 8-track tapes.

[lwarmonger]

Can somebody point me to where the world has got worse, either morally or materially, over say the last 200 years?

Materially, larger populations without corresponding increases in productive capabilities has made Africa a worse place to live now than it was 200 years ago (many more people subsisting on substantially less resources). Morally man's capacity for destruction has increased dramatically (we have become much better organized as a species, thus mass murders of various populations/ethnicities are occuring more often and on a larger scale now than they did in the past). Idealogy has been a great motivator for humanity, however human beings being human, has also been a motivator for increasingly destructive acts. I am of the opinion that the world is still populated by human beings. While our circumstances may change, people remain pretty much the same.

[Parihaka]

Yes, They've stopped making 8-track tapes.

LOL, oh you poor sad chap... You've only got two ears, you only need two channels

[T-bone]

That is intended to be an example of moral deterioration, not improvement. Next example is Mother Teresa, obviously at the other end of the spectrum.

As long as you are not saying he is moral that is ok.

[Parihaka]

Materially, larger populations without corresponding increases in productive capabilities has made Africa a worse place to live now than it was 200 years ago (many more people subsisting on substantially less resources).

Not sure. I think all that has happened is the deaths have moved from infant to later in life. More children (and mothers) survive birth, but die of malnutrition or disease later.

Morally man's capacity for destruction has increased dramatically (we have become much better organized as a species, thus mass murders of various populations/ethnicities are occuring more often and on a larger scale now than they did in the past). Idealogy has been a great motivator for humanity, however human beings being human, has also been a motivator for increasingly destructive acts. I am of the opinion that the world is still populated by human beings. While our circumstances may change, people remain pretty much the same.

I disagree about the more often statement but certainly there is a greater capacity to kill larger numbers.
I wonder if there's any studies of deaths from warfare as a percentage of population through history? I must have a look....

[gunnut]

Can somebody point me to where the world has got worse, either morally or materially, over say the last 200 years?

If you ever watch MTV, you'll find the brain-dead youngsters they interview on the show believe race relations is getting worse in the US (since King's death); our air is more polluted; water is nearly undrinkable; earth is getting warmer; poverty and famine around the world is on the march; and the earth will explode by 2075.