Evilshy feels like playing devils advocate (and speaking 3rd person, apparently)

[Shankveld 4,949]

lol sorry

 

Well thanks for making me feel like an ass now ._.

 

It's fine, at least you know now ~

[Starshine 16,333]

Why wait? Let's bomb everyone that isn't as well off as we are.

 

The sad thing is, big bombs are mighty expensive

 

And to educate all the new generations of a 3rd world country aren't better either. You need a whole lot of money and supports from the government. You're lucky if the higher-ups of the said country are willing to cooperate, but sadly most of the time they are too busy stuffing their own mouth to care.

[Evilshy 5,090]

Well, it seems many points of view on this subject have been brought up, so I don't really need to do anything more myself on this subject.

 

 

 

Next subject is somewhat similar: the elderly, and trying to prolong their lives

(If you want to continue discussing the old topic, go ahead, just make sure you say that you are )

 

Why do we strive to cure so many diseases? We are fighting against our own natural life spans, trying to prolong them past the age where our bodies are capable of doing most things. We can do small things, but death is inevitable, and many aging related conditions are untreatable. If your car was on it's last legs, you wouldn't keep driving until the car literally couldn't go any further. Why do we attempt to do this with our bodies? Sure, you can say things like "well, nobody really wants to die", but if you think about it, would you really want to live like that? Being able to do very little, dependent on medications or even machines to keep you in a coherent state, or even alive at all? I can think of little benefit to that kind of life.

Edited April 4, 2012 by Evilshy

[Crispy 5,563]

If your car was on it's last legs, you wouldn't keep driving until the car literally couldn't go any further.

 

I dunno, have you seen some of the cars still on the road? I know I've driven all my cars until failure.

[Starswirl the Trixie 975]

I know debate on this topic ended, but I have some original arguments here.

 

First of all, let's only focus on EFFECTIVE aid. Food aid should be given to areas with a temporary famine, not a longstanding problem; three days of food is useless. I'm told by Peace Corps members that most mosquito nets donated to African countries are thrown away or used for fishing. Oscar Wilde criticized pointless charity like that; he said in "The Soul of Man under Socialism" that it may make a person's life slightly better, but it will not fix the problem that makes the person miserable.

 

Now onto the question of the OP. Once more, there's a realpolitiik answer to everything. Useful aid to the 3rd world is a good move because it secures US (I assume that Evilshy is American) hegemony of strategic areas of the world. Look at sub-Saharan Africa. For decades it has been given pointless aud by Westerners who view Africa like traditional Hindus view the untouchables: "Oh, Africa, it's just this poor, sad place designed as a destination for out charity."

 

The US is weak in influence over Africa. What country is strong there? One in particular: China. China is establishing political hegemony over Africa. And how is China doing it? By giving USEFUL help in the form of economic ties/foreign direct investment which DOESN'T further impoverish Africa.

 

The US should spend a bit (not much, just a bit) of money providing meanigful, real assistance to Africa in order to increase American global dominance and to counter China. Note that by "should" I mean what is best for the Us government, not necessarily what is best from a moral perspective. Good enough for you, Evilshy?

 

Long post typed on a crappy iPhone screen like a boss.

Edited April 4, 2012 by Starswirl the goateed

[Starshine 16,333]

I honestly don't know about others, but I personally want to live as long as I could. Not to do stuff and accomplish many things, but because I want to see on how this world continues without me, and I want to see my kids (and hopefully grandchildren) live their life

 

Most of the time human, fragile as we might be, don't want to cease to exist in this world because we're afraid to be alone. Those who were left behind also will surely miss them.

 

Doesn't matter on how often you act tough on the outside, all humans longed for others' company. That's why even those hardcore Christians who believed that they will surely enter their Heavens are scared shitless when they're about to die.

Edited April 4, 2012 by Shefira

[Warbalist 133]

Being old is one thing, being decrepit is another. Take care of your body and you can stave off being "elderly" for many years, or so I have witnessed.

 

Besides, if you'd rather die than be an invalid, there's a certain Mr. Hawking you should meet...

 

Life is awesome; we should extend everyone's time if we are able.