A prudent society would put technology on hold

[Turtle]

On the business of 'early to bed, early to rise, yada yada yada', old Ben was disturbed when he learnt how many Calvinist folk took such clap seriously to the word that he writ to but better sell almanacs.:P *

 

*I'll look for that passage in the biography.;)

While correct in the general tone, my bad in mucking the details. Writing in his recent (2003) biography, Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, Walter Isaacson gives this account of what he calls "the most famous of all" of Ben's maxims "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."

Franklin would have been amused by how faithfully these were praised by subsequent advocates of self-improvement, and he would likely have been even more amused by the humorists who later poked fun at them.

Isaacson then gives two such pokes at old Ben's maxim; one by Mark Twain and one by Groucho Marks. He then gives further historical account of the 'early to bed' maxim, saying:

Most of Poor Richard's sayings were not, in fact, totally original, as Franklin freely admitted. ...Even a near version of his "early to bed and early to rise" maxim had appeared in a collection of English proverbs a century earlier.

In the footnotes Isaacson traces the maxim to John Clarke's Proverbs published in 1639.

[IMAMONKEY!]

Deleted. Stupid that i should've mentioned it.

[TheFaithfulStone]

'm discriminating by Intelligence. I dont believe people with an IQ of less then 100 should be allowed to vote. If someone were to call me prejudiced I would agree because if there is one thing I can't stand It's mental retardation. ... He saw Jews as a drain on the world's, well, Health, and he thought removing them would fix the problem.. I of course believed that he merely targeted the wrong population.

 

YOUREANIDIOT!

 

That may be one of the stupidest things anyone has ever said on this forum.

 

TFS

[TheBigDog]

It's interesting how this post has progressed from the idea of halting technological growth to Ben Franklin's life story... I fail to see the relevance in reciting ALL of Franklin's maxims... Yes he was an inventor and pioneer in our technological advancement, but he isn't god. You can't justify your opinions by saying "Ben Franklin said so". He may have been a genius and yes most of them make sense but he is only one man. And besides... I dont like getting up early. ;)

 

Halting technology would be a horrible mistake. Medical Technology in particular. We solve our problems through technology... what happens when it stops? We can't solve our problems. We die. Plain and simple. :shrug:

 

Now do i think power without moral is good? No. Sadly there are many wicked people in this world and they cause many problems that wouldn't have happened had a more intelligent and moral person been given that power. The problem with our society is it's very foundation. People are given undue influence based upon how attractive they are, how much money they have, and how big their talk is... And that is sadly seen even at the youngest levels of society as well as the oldest. Why was Bush elected again even though he was riduculed constantly? (I'm not going to answer that - too controversial).

 

If the world was a Dictatorship we'd all probably be in a better situation then we are now. :cup:

 

One big problem here in the U.S.A. is that voting is open to all...think about that for a second... I'm not discriminating among race, gender, or anything of the sort. I'm discriminating by Intelligence. I dont believe people with an IQ of less then 100 should be allowed to vote. If someone were to call me prejudiced I would agree because if there is one thing I can't stand It's mental retardation. At a young age (well.. younger im only 16 after all) I proposed in a 4th grade study session that to solve world problems we should kill all the mental retards and people with emotional disorders... that didnt go over too well with the teacher. She later referred to my idea as one Hitler might have thought up. I don't respect Hitler but I understand the motivation for his ideas. He saw Jews as a drain on the world's, well, Health, and he thought removing them would fix the problem.. I of course believed that he merely targeted the wrong population. Was my proposal moral? Religiously no, but the proposal i stated back in 4th grade was one that would solve problems (and probably create a few).

 

Now I realize my views were extremely radical, but then again It is a wonder what the human mind can come up with when it is not bound by society's virtues. A child's way of solving things is always amazingly simple but always controversial. I know this is not a solid basis for speculation but my World History teacher who is also a Riddle Addict said he tested a class of 6 year olds on some simple riddles and then later tested a group of Sophomores on those same riddles... Guess who did better? The 6 year olds. Take it as you will but I believe every day children solve the world's problems and every time these "premature" thoughts are cast out simply because it will "offend" a minority.

 

It's a Fahrenheit 451 world we're living in and i grieve for my generation as they enter it completely brainwashed by the maniacs that run the world.:)

 

Regards

It's interesting how this post has progressed from the idea of halting technological growth to Ben Franklin's life story to.... uh.... declarations of the necessity of genocide of the lower 50% of humans based upon IQ?!?!

 

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?

 

This post is so appauling that I don't know where to begin with critisizm. I can find no excuses for the statements being made other than a monumental lack of judgement. Congratulations on sharing your opinions. Now the world can see the rotten core and damaged foundation that supports your self proclaimed thought process.

 

I have more than just hope for your generation; I have confidence that they will acheive things that will be but dreams for mine. But I am losing hope for you.

 

Bill

[infamous]

 

 

Now I realize my views were extremely radical, Regards

That is without doubt, the most understated comment I've ever seen posted within these hallowed halls. One question for you Monkey; If you found yourself catagorized within these described limits, would you still adhere to your solution?

 

I find your logic completely disgusting..............................Infy

[InfiniteNow]

IMAMONKEY,

 

Maybe you could adjust your comments, or give more information about what you meant. I'm currently forced to agree with the above, but have hope you've simply fallen trap to communicating an idea poorly.

[Turtle]

I don't respect Hitler but I understand the motivation for his ideas. He saw Jews as a drain on the world's, well, Health, and he thought removing them would fix the problem.. I of course believed that he merely targeted the wrong population.

 

Simian Conduct Of The Disreputable Kind. :shrug:

[Edella]

IMAMONKEY,Please consider getting psychiatric help.I'm serious.

[Zythryn]

Now do i think power without moral is good? No. Sadly there are many wicked people in this world and they cause many problems that wouldn't have happened had a more intelligent and moral person been given that power.

 

 

I don't respect Hitler but I understand the motivation for his ideas. He saw Jews as a drain on the world's, well, Health, and he thought removing them would fix the problem.. I of course believed that he merely targeted the wrong population. Was my proposal moral? Religiously no, but the proposal i stated back in 4th grade was one that would solve problems (and probably create a few).

 

How is you you can say the first quote in the same post as the second?!?

 

I must admit I am rather speechless.

[IMAMONKEY!]

Im sorry i didnt mean to cause so much strife... I suggested it in 4th grade...I dont still think that. But yes I understand the severity of the statements I made and I'm willing to take the repercussions of what i said. I'm sorry to cause so much...Horror at the statement. It was how i felt. I realize now that, yes, that would involve the murder of almost (what was it? 50%?)...A lot of people. And i also realize that the idea of that is HIGHLY unethical AND downright...evil.

 

And it's not one of the stupidest (is that what you said?) things someones said on this forum. It just scared you and was a very horrific idea. Of course i dont agree with it now. And im sure that every single person here has thought something when they were younger that they didnt understand and later found horrid. And just for the record. No i do not need psychiatric help but thank you for offering it.

 

Am i gunna go out and kill random mental retards? Do you think im so base as to commit such a crime as Hitler? I suggested it in 4th grade. 6 years ago. I didnt even know who hitler was. I realize now that my post came across like i was supporting the idea. My apologies. I dont want to kill people...

 

And yes my logic is disgusting. Next time I'll keep my mouth shut if my opinions as a child scare you that much. FYI, I dont think murdering them would solve the problem. Because now i realize that such an act would cause more harm then good.

 

I realize my apologies are probably wasted but here they are anyway.

 

Sincerest Apologies for offending you,

 

IMAMONKEY!

[Edella]

Actually,what disturbs me is the fact that,at 16, you don't understand that mental retardation is not a choice,but the result of congenital causes, brain injury, or disease.

[IMAMONKEY!]

I understand that. I know what i said was WAY out of line. Please...Please understand that I don't want that. I'm not immoral... not at this time at least. I'm literally begging right now for the entire Hypography community's forgiveness. I can't change what i thought in 4th grade. However much i may want to... If it's any consolation I was punished for it but i guess violence begets not violence.

 

My regards,

[infamous]

 

I realize my apologies are probably wasted but here they are anyway.

Honest apologies are never wasted my friend.....

 

Sincerest Apologies for offending you,

 

IMAMONKEY!

In truth, the offense was not directed at us. We were standing firm in the absence of those to which it was directed. It should be to those that the apology is addressed.

 

The mission of the strong should be to stand when the weak cannot. To offer a hand of assistance to those which cannot help themselves. That should be the meaning of the word humanity........................Infy

[Pyrotex]

...I'm literally begging right now for the entire Hypography community's forgiveness. ...

Begging (and batteries) not required. You apologized. I accept. At ease.

 

Now, if we can set all that aside, let's take an historical look at what you proposed. The word is "eugenics" and at one time it was an honorable and respectable word. Wikipedia has this to say: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics.

 

Eugenics did not endorse killing or euthanization, but rather, selective breeding as a way of reducing the incidence of congenital diseases in human beings, including congenital retardation. The fact that such "retarded" individuals were (in purely monetary terms) a "drain" (despite how ever much they were loved) was not considered a subject "too horrific" to discuss at all.

 

Then Hitler got involved and everything changed. "Eugenics" is now a dirty word, and any intimation, hint or marginal reference that can even be distantly interpreted as "dissing" the mentally challenged community is viewed in a negative light.

 

"And so it goes..." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

[Eilizsia]

There's a question that most of us dont ask ourselves.

 

Are We all Dictators?

 

With or without technology, We would still need to survive. We are not looking for the answers to life with technology. We all like to use our mind for reasons to adapt or take away the fact that without using our brain, we probably wouldnt have made it this far as a race.

 

Obviously there are positives and negatives to technologies, But we are all Irrational thinkers. From day to day we want somethings, and most of the time, we are just trying to fulfil our lifes and make meaning.

 

We are Not wrong about technology and we are not right. In mostly everything, there is a technical need to do something. Technology doesnt always have to mean electronics, it could be something as simple as spade to dig up plants. I guess we all have a Need for Inventions, Either hand made or Mass produced. Even a Prudent society would be happy to recieve some help from technology. Thats how we learn to be rational about surviving Not evolving. That how we realise that we are Not Irrational or Inferior,Because we search an give reasons to why Were Not.

 

Its All About being fair to what we need for ouselves as an individual and what we dont need as a Worldly community, in order to survive.

 

We Are All Explorers

[Eilizsia]

Honest apologies are never wasted my friend.....

 

In truth, the offense was not directed at us. We were standing firm in the absence of those to which it was directed. It should be to those that the apology is addressed.

 

The mission of the strong should be to stand when the weak cannot. To offer a hand of assistance to those which cannot help themselves. That should be the meaning of the word humanity........................Infy

 

And....

 

Humility, were cant always get things right. were all learning, and what we learn may or may not change our views or perceptions of the world and mosty towards ourselves. Im happy to know that people will always admit that they may have made a mistake or make mistakes, (not to anyone but to themselves). Its always a problem when we never ask what someone is talikng about if we misunderstood or took what they said to heart. Its always best to find out before we prejudge the Situation and each other.

 

Words mean a whole lot more when we dont Let words Control Our Actions, Because we Understand what we mean when we write it or say it, but others dont. LIke many things, we also let words control our feeling, and Choices. So we need to make sure we got it right.