Simple Living and Higher Thinking

[I-Ching]

I'm glad you do all that, but I think it goes Hmm. IMO, humanity has an amazing track record of doing things that were once considered impossible. Personally, I'm not prepared to dismiss anything as a "thing we cannot change". In any event, the only real way to figure out whether we can change a thing is to try and see what happens.

As long as human society remains materialistic due to the influence of atheism, they will place their faith in a technological heaven till it too late.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

As long as human society remains materialistic due to the influence of atheism, they will place their faith in a technological heaven till it too late.

... he says from his computer.

If you were really living the simple life you talk about, you wouldn't be on the internet at all.

 

[idav]

I think that human society would much happier spiritually and materially if we were to go back to living a more simple agrarian God-conscious lifestyle.

I don't think that technology has offered any significant benefit to human society. In fact it is destroying the planet.

On a more practical note I think that adopting this lifestyle is a matter of survival for human society since we are completely dependent on oil at every level and when it runs out this current society will collapse.

It is technology that has allowed us to create crops that grow much faster in mass quantities. Unfortunately the rich that own it don't share.

It is technology that has allowed us to thrive and over take the whole earth. There could be more people dieing if you prefer but we can already see that in less technologically advanced countries.

We can survive without oil it is just big money holds the market. Hell people have been able to modify their cars to work off used vegatable oil. Smells like mcdonalds but still is pretty awesome what technology is capable of.

We are destroying the planet not the technology. Like any power it can be used for good or evil.

 

[Revoltingest]

... he says from his computer.

If you were really living the simple life you talk about, you wouldn't be on the internet at all.

He must minister to the unenlightened.

 

[idav]

As long as human society remains materialistic due to the influence of atheism, they will place their faith in a technological heaven till it too late.

That is quite an amazing accomplishment for a mere 1% of the world. Go atheists!:sarcastic

 

[Revoltingest]

It is technology that has allowed us to create crops that grow much faster in mass quantities. Unfortunately the rich that own it don't share.

None of the farmers I know are rich.
But you could buy food from them & give it to the poor if you want.

It is technology that has allowed us to thrive and over take the whole earth.

It doesn't sound so good when you phrase it that way. I lament the loss of natural habitat.

We can survive without oil it is just big money holds the market. Hell people have been able to modify their cars to work off used vegatable oil. Smells like mcdonalds but still is pretty awesome what technology is capable of.

I know many people who own small oil & gas wells in MI, OH, PA & WV. They ain't rich.

We are destroying the planet not the technology. Like any power it can be used for good or evil.

The planet has survived worse fates than mankind before. It will be here in spite of us.
The real issue is what condition we'd like to see it in.

 

[Willamena]

I think that human society would much happier spiritually and materially if we were to go back to living a more simple agrarian God-conscious lifestyle.

I don't think that technology has offered any significant benefit to human society. In fact it is destroying the planet.

On a more practical note I think that adopting this lifestyle is a matter of survival for human society since we are completely dependent on oil at every level and when it runs out this current society will collapse.

Thing is, I don't think we have to go back to the agrarian to get that. "God" is as much present in the laptop as he is in the turnip.

 

[bobhikes]

Thing is, I don't think we have to go back to the agrarian to get that. "God" is as much present in the laptop as he is in the turnip.

Interesting does God really care about non-life. Something I don't think I ever seen debated on the RF.

 

[Willamena]

Interesting does God really care about non-life. Something I don't think I ever seen debated on the RF.

"God" is present in caring, too.

(Give the idealists their due.)

 

[idav]

None of the farmers I know are rich.
But you could buy food from them & give it to the poor if you want.

I know they aren't rich and they won't even be farmers if they don't pay dearly to the people who own the technology for mass producing the corn.

It doesn't sound so good when you phrase it that way. I lament the loss of natural habitat.

That is true but when an animal takes over the earth they are going to take it's resources. It goes without saying. Our technology is at least giving us alternatives.

I know many people who own small oil & gas wells in MI, OH, PA & WV. They ain't rich.

It isn't the small producers holding down the market. Big money runs it.

The planet has survived worse fates than mankind before. It will be here in spite of us.
The real issue is what condition we'd like to see it in.

To a degree we have a influence but the earth will do what it will do. If earth decided to go into an ice age we just better get out our coats.

 

[jarofthoughts]

As long as human society remains materialistic due to the influence of atheism, they will place their faith in a technological heaven till it too late.

Strange how the people decrying or dismissing science never follow their own convictions.

If you really think science is that bad, stop using it.
But then, stop using what it has given you as well.

That means; no more computer, no more internet, no more mobile phone, no more using modern means of transportation, no more using store bought clothes, no more buying store bought food, no more living in modern houses, no more access to medicine...
In short, it means moving out in to the woods and living the life of someone from the middle ages.

If you do not, then that just means that you are just another hypocrite.
And we have enough of those.

 

[Revoltingest]

I know they aren't rich and they won't even be farmers if they don't pay dearly to the people who own the technology for mass producing the corn.

They pay for: property taxes, fertilizer, bug juice, equipment, seed, shipping, insurance, etc, etc.
Owning technology doesn't seem to be much of a factor.

That is true but when an animal takes over the earth they are going to take it's resources. It goes without saying. Our technology is at least giving us alternatives.

But humanity's choice is to destroy habitat. Technology makes that easier.

It isn't the small producers holding down the market. Big money runs it.

I don't know what "holding down the market" means. But big money interests all compete in the same market for the purchaser's coin. They ain't in charge.
I get the impression that you're looking for a bad guy (ie, someone else) to blame.
It isn't about blame. We're all part of oil production & consumption.

To a degree we have a influence but the earth will do what it will do. If earth decided to go into an ice age we just better get out our coats.

Stuff will happen. We will cope.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I think that human society would much happier spiritually and materially if we were to go back to living a more simple agrarian God-conscious lifestyle.

I don't think that technology has offered any significant benefit to human society. In fact it is destroying the planet.

On a more practical note I think that adopting this lifestyle is a matter of survival for human society since we are completely dependent on oil at every level and when it runs out this current society will collapse.

I think it would be cool if there were flying horses.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

... he says from his computer.

If you were really living the simple life you talk about, you wouldn't be on the internet at all.

No, no, you don't understand. His hypocrisy is okay because he rationalized it.

Now throw all your stuff away and go live in a cave.

 

[idav]

They pay for: property taxes, fertilizer, bug juice, equipment, seed, shipping, insurance, etc, etc.
Owning technology doesn't seem to be much of a factor.

Here is an example of what I'm talking about.
Growing Patent Abuse by Corporations: Seed extinction and bio-piracy | Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, Version 4.0

But humanity's choice is to destroy habitat. Technology makes that easier.

No doubt. As soon as our species started using tools it made it easier to get all the resources we need. Of course there are evils as well as good coming from it.

I don't know what "holding down the market" means. But big money interests all compete in the same market for the purchaser's coin. They ain't in charge.
I get the impression that you're looking for a bad guy (ie, someone else) to blame.
It isn't about blame. We're all part of oil production & consumption.

We have the technology to not use oil. The average consumer doesn't usually get to choose what is on the market. In our country the problem is that big corporations lobby the government and they get in bed with each other. For such a technologically advanced country we ought to be leading in green energy but we don't.

Stuff will happen. We will cope.

Werd.

 

[839311]

I think that human society would much happier spiritually and materially if we were to go back to living a more simple agrarian God-conscious lifestyle.

I don't think that technology has offered any significant benefit to human society. In fact it is destroying the planet.

The way I see it, there is no going back now. Technology is the future of the human species.

 

[idea]

Good works are not going to save the world only Divine Works. We have to know God's Will and follow His Will. Scripture alone can not tell God's Will nor can our imperfect intuition. You can't go directly to God, you need to go through His representative.

I agree that God has representatives.
I do not agree that we cannot go directly to God ourselves.

Why do you believe that we cannot go directly to God?

 

[Revoltingest]

Here is an example of what I'm talking about.
Growing Patent Abuse by Corporations: Seed extinction and bio-piracy | Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, Version 4.0

I'm aware of the controversy. The seeds are in demand because they're better than others available.
No one has to use them, except that they find it makes them more competitive.

We have the technology to not use oil.

Not with the economic structure we currently have. There is no alternative with wide applicability (when availability, cost & efficiency are considered).

The average consumer doesn't usually get to choose what is on the market. In our country the problem is that big corporations lobby the government and they get in bed with each other. For such a technologically advanced country we ought to be leading in green energy but we don't.

The average consumer entirely dictates what is on the market. Our habits drive what is made available to us.
Examples:
I choose to live close to where I work so that I can walk & bike. I drive very few miles compared to others I know.
People can buy cars which get 50+mpg or 20mpg. The latter are still popular.
People can clamor for bio-diesel cars....but they don't.
We have more power than we think. But as a group, we don't work the results we'd like. So we blame someone else.

 

[idav]

I'm aware of the controversy. The seeds are in demand because they're better than others available.
No one has to use them, except that they find it makes them more competitive.


Not with the economic structure we currently have. There is no alternative with wide applicability (when availability, cost & efficiency are considered).


The average consumer entirely dictates what is on the market. Our habits drive what is made available to us.
Examples:
I choose to live close to where I work so that I can walk & bike. I drive very few miles compared to others I know.
People can buy cars which get 50+mpg or 20mpg. The latter are still popular.
People can clamor for bio-diesel cars....but they don't.
We have more power than we think. But as a group, we don't work the results we'd like. So we blame someone else.

Being competitive isn't easy when companies grow to holding monopolies. This is an issue in more than the food industry.

We dictate as consumers by demand sure. Like I want electricity but I have no choice as to who I use or how the company is producing the electricity. Car fuel is a little different as it is becoming more affordable to soup up your car but makes me wonder how easily it could be done from the point of the manufacturer. The demand is shifting in that arena slowly but surely. Our country has all the means to go green but we are behind other nations in trying to implement it and it isn't because consumers don't want it.

 

[PolyHedral]

Not with the economic structure we currently have. There is no alternative with wide applicability (when availability, cost & efficiency are considered).

Using oil in what context? Because if it weren't for NIMB syndrome, electricity could be a lot easier and cleaner than it is currently.