Why conflict? Why winning and losing? Why the need for dominance?

[Skip Intro]

Why the killing and the dying and the lying and the crying?

Why can't mankind just live together, equitably sharing our planet's resources, defining and moving toward common, ever-grander goals from which we all benefit?

Will it ever happen?

(Is it alright to fill an op with nothing but questions?)

[jobycom]

1. Cause our whatever is better than their whatever and we have to defend

against whatever threat someone makes to our whatever!

[Joanne98]

2. The answer lies in this book. American Methods.

American Methods: Torture And The Logic Of Domination

Kristian Williams
Edition: pb
ISBN: 0896087530
Publisher: South End Press
Release Date: 2006-05-09


ITEM OVERVIEW
Abner Louima. Abu Ghraib. The Humboldt Five. Extraordinary Rendition. Lynchings. School Of The Americas. Prison Rape. Whether or not it makes front-page news, make no mistake: Torture is an everyday tool of dominance and terror in the United States. On the heels of Our Enemies in Blue, his controversial chronicle of policing, Kristian Williams once again upsets the notion that "excessive force" by the state is anything but altogether American.
American Methods is a damning audit of the US record in underwriting human rights violations around the globe. In the last 25 years alone and under several administrations, we confront death squads in El Salvador, genocidal campaigns in Turkey, brutal interrogations done on our dime, even in our name by various "friendly governments," and more. Returning to our shores, Williams observes the banality of violence at home—on both sides of the prison wall. What emerges is the distinct character of American torture, particularly its emphasis on sexual violence, misogyny, and racialized spectacle. Ultimately, American Methods offers devastating conclusions about the centrality of rape, racism, and conquest to both the state and our national culture.

http://www.akpress.org/2006/items/americanmethods

[StellaBlue]

3. I think this thought all the time, and I've recently realized the answer:

Because there will

always

be someone who is willing to resort to violence. And so we either have to fight back, or perish in self-righteousness.

However, this does not justify pre-emptive attacks, a militaristic, pro-violence cultural mentality, or targeting innocent people.

For a long, long time I grappled with this bit of wisdom my father gave me one afternoon when I was four, playing with a G.I. Joe on the end of my bed in Irving, Texas: "Honey, war is bad, no one wants war, but sometimes it's the last resort, and that's why we have to have an army."

:shrug:

Nearly 25 years later, that's all I've got.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Yes

when we evolve away from ego centric thinking and realize we are all interconnected, and all have inherent worth.

[ShortnFiery]

5. There's a new rise in Authoritarianism in the USA

We just love to idolize our big bad daddy figures. :puke:

[Redstone]

6. Fuck if I know. Lots of people who are a lot smarter than I am have

been trying to figure that out for a long time.

Redstone

[Rude Horner]

7. I wish with all my heart that we could get to that point

As long as we have a greedy ruling class that uses fear to seperate us and line their pockets, we will continue to fight their wars and destroy ourselves in the process. As long as we have an educational system designed for conformative thinking instead of critical thinking, the people will continue to think that this is the American way that is worth fighting for, again and again and again. And finally, until some members of our species can evolve past the macho bullshit, eye for an eye attitude, we'll always be doomed.

But I keep hoping.

[aquart]

8. Good grief. Because we aren't bonobos.

We're apes with both aggressive AND make love not war tendencies. If you want to give international hormone therapy that diminishes aggression, be prepared to deal with the side effects which may wipe out our species.

This isn't philosophical. It's hormonal. The societal norms were built to justify what we already do.

[Skip Intro]

10. Can we not trancend the hormonal influences?

I can't accept that evident dead-end, "that's just the way it is" concept - if that's what you're saying.

I believe world built on the unity and mutual respect and equality, working together toward common goals is ultimately desired by 99.99% of the population, and that the chaos that exists is due to a few egos twisted into obscene dimensions by lust for unchecked power, lacking any personal consequence.

I believe we, as humankind, have but to decide to do it, and then do it.

[DELUSIONAL]

9. Religion - Population density - rich corporations want it all

take your pick.

I can argue any of these convincingly.

Although some might say that religion is why there is high population density -- and corporations need labor. High population means fights for finite resources -- like land and water and other resources.

It keeps coming back to religions -- there are the religious fanatics who thrive on war (religious fundamentalists) -- thinking that more war and more bodies will bring their god to come get them. Limited Earth resources are meaningless to them-- because they are a death cult -- they believe that this life is awful -- but the next life will be heaven.

Why can't mankind just live together, equitably sharing our planet's resources, defining and moving toward common, ever-grander goals from which we all benefit?

Will it ever happen?

This will never happen because too many people are followers and there are evil people who know how to manipulate followers.

There will always be the few who want it all -- today these folk are called Neocons.

If they are eradicated -- then another like minded group will fill the void.