Controversial Post

[ClubMed]

• The more advanced and civilised we become (as a society), the more fragile are we.

Anyone care to discuss?
CM

[Agent_Embryo]

Uhm. I think it's kind of obvious that man kind has evolved too much for its own good. We cannot live up to our own standards. Man kind is doomed.

Not entirely sincere post as I have a cold and am exhausted. But just to get it all going.

[Epidemic]

genetically we are going to fall appart.

Almost all of the natural selection has been removed.

Genetically diseased people can have children when they naturally could not have.

The weak are nourtured, the mentally infirm are assisted. All in all this is the recipe for disaster.

Eugenics does make sense, even if it is not nice. I would not like to be the one who makes the decisions. But I really feel that some people should not have kids.

I had asthma as a child and in one instance might not have survived with out medical intervention. I thought long and hard about having kids. To date my children have none of my problems. The little rats tan really good and breathe fine.

[Agent_Embryo]

Some people shouldn't have kids? A lot of people shouldn't have kids.

And now to quote a song:
"I'm the man and I do and I don't, I'm the man and I will and I won't, I'm the man and I could not lie: most should live - some should die." - Ugly Kid Joe

The little rats tan really good and breathe fine.

Do they play?

J/K.

Yeah, let me get to office so I can reply. Alraedy late.

[Knothead]

I liked what you said, Epidemic, I think you put your finger on the problem: that Natural Selection is being eliminated, and that artificial solutions to nature's problems have become the norm.

The trouble is, when one starts in on that vein, you're naturally inviting your opponent to come right back at you with accusations of your being "Elitist" and "...do you think you're better than________(fill in the name of person with genetic disorder) who wishes to have children to love and nurture..."

Blah, blah, blah...oh, and look out if they want to compare that viewpoint with a certain mustached German leader of the 40's...yep, Hitler was BIG into "natural selection"!

Plus, as you (Epidemic) noted, the doctors are WAY into this trend, as pretty soon, we won't be ABLE to reproduce without their considerable (and VERY EXPENSIVE,) assistance. Lotsa business for those guys!

CM, I hope you're over there chuckling your head off. You've done it again!

I have to agree with most of what was said here. The original statement I can find a way to disagree with however (and I will just for the sake of argument).

I would have you consider that as mankind advances as a species, the individual is weakened, but the race is not. Yes, through medical science there are more individuals who could not live w/out our medical sciences to assist them. However, the number of healthy humans has also increased over time. There are more unhealthy people to care for now, as our advances in technology have given us a way to take care of the infirm.

I am neither approving, or disapproving of these ideas. Merely stating a somewhat reasonable hypothesis about the evolution of mankind. Mankind may eventually destroy itself, but I doubt it will be through a lack of healthy individuals.

Wheeeeee!

-Whir

OK, I disagree. As we become more advanced and civilized a society, the more we learn and experience in terms of interpersonal relationships at the micro level and inter-society/culture relationships at the micro level.

And the more we know and learn, the stronger we become. And resilient to opposing/destructive forces.

Now, the Darwinism theories that Knot/Epi brought in are not necessarily the result of an advanced civilization. I think these two concepts are mutually exclusive. They occur independent of each other, though one obviously influences the other.

Societies become fragile when isolated. They inbreed in a manner of speaking.

That's one of the reasons this country is so strong- an open, diverse and tolerant society.

[vass0922]

Well along these lines..
Is it possible that as a society in whole, we are growing less and less tolerant of germs being in our household and also not allowing our kids to be around germs so we are not allowing immune systems to grow stronger as a child. Therefore as an adult we are weaker.
Isn't a proven fact there are more asthmatics now than ever? Granted we have a higher population than ever, but the percentage is rising.
I've read a report that says parents SHOULD put their kids into daycare, and into schools to MAKE SURE their kids get sick occasionally to allow their immune systems to build up when they're kids. So as this trend continues our society will continue to weaken.
Make any sense whatsoever? lol

[Epidemic]

vass,

In a way you make good sense.

that is another concern and related.

Shahani,

In the days when people used to die of the colds viruses and other such little nasties you were left with a population of people who were the strongest of the strong. Polio, whooping cough, and what ever else you wish to mention used to thin the population. Making way for people with greater immunal responses. The sterilization of the world and the introduction of drugs in healing allow the weak to survive. I would almost have definitely lost at least one of my three children because my middle child ended up with scarlet fever. Do I want her to be dead, NO NO NO. But from a genetic standpoint we are degrading IMO.