Hi Trip,
I still owe you a few responses to your well supported answer to my
challenges. Thank you for your attention and care.
TRIP:
I know that wealth is not finite (as mercantilists believed),
but 6-9 billion of us can not lead the average americans life or global
envoronmental collase will certainly occur
ROG:
Why not? There are enough resources if used wisely, efficiently,
dynamically, creatively and environmentally. I see a much bigger danger in
people trying to repress progress in developing countries than I do in those
trying to share how to create it. (Such as shown in the recent link posted
here to De Soto on the value of property rights as a foundation for
capitalism.) I could argue that 10 billion destitute people can do a lot more
damage than 10 billion wealthy ones.
I agree we need to shift quickly (50 years or so) to renewable non
greenhouse-causing energy sources, and that we need to discourage the
population explosion (currently due primarily to lower death statistics, not
higher birth btw), that we should shift to renewable resources where
possible, that we should incent clean practices and disincent pollution, etc
etc etc. I see these things as very doable with proper focus and care. This
is Quality. This is one aspect of life that the MOQ can help us to see with
better clarity.
TRIP:
Just one example, I also found a 34 average age on the web. Granted, the
child
mortality rate was outragreously high. But that also deflates the average age
dramatically. With better child birthing, the average would be comparable
many
industrialized countries, I belive, but I want to do more research. I will.
Do you mean personal murder or war killing?
ROG:
My data was strongly biased by the child death rate too. I think we are
close enough to go on to other issues. Oh... the death rate included war. I
have read several places that murder and war were bad in a lot of primitive
societies (and in chimps and bonobos too). You want me to dig 'em up?
Thanks for the scoop on Hobbes too.
Trip (on human nature):
This is my personal theory after having studied the full scope of humanity.
What
is the one common element in all the different cultures of the polynesian
expansion that Diamond discusses? That is the question I have been trying to
answer.
ROG:
Do read THE MORAL SENSE by James Wilson. It is a great read for any Pirsig
fan. Well researched in my opinion, and also well balanced politically.
Happy Turkey Day!
Roger
MOQ.ORG - http://www.moq.org
Mail Archive - http://alt.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_discuss/
MD Queries - horse@darkstar.uk.net
To unsubscribe from moq_discuss follow the instructions at:
http://www.moq.org/md/subscribe.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sat Aug 17 2002 - 16:01:38 BST