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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM
Seriously, systems aren't that heartless. Otherwise, violence wouldn't be steadily declining. You've also not taking spontaneous group empathy into account. Which can and does happen, and not just during bombings and the like.
Spend some time in the Psychology department and quit mucking about with philosophers.
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Well I guess Bad Astronomy is going to be looking for a new home soon (though ironically, I stopped reading it exactly because I wasn't interested in every other post being political).
For the most part though, Slate is what I'd consider "opinion blogging" that tries to look like a news site. And if I want left-leaning opinion pieces, Vox does it more thoughtfully..
edited 10th Aug '16 10:22:51 AM by Elle
Euod: It's evolutionary psychology as well; one hypothesis for why rates of clinical depression are so high in modern societies (compared to say tribes in the Amazon) is because our brains simply aren't adapted to this sort of lifestyle; the human brain is sufficiently versatile for us to make it work in spite of being extremely far removed from our origins, but that doesn't mean it works well. Similarly the mechanisms by which humans are able to extend empathy to faceless masses are more of less a series of hatchet-jobs that our brains are versatile enough to tolerate, albeit not without consequences. The near inevitable fact that much of our western lifestyle is built on the backs of what oftentimes amounts to slave labor is something that should and probably would (and indeed did back in the 19th century when the most heavily exploited strata of society were domestic populations) horrify people are simply shrugged off and ignored by the majority of people, and even those who do care don't care as strongly as they ought to.
Hence why I am strongly in favor of transhumanism.
edited 10th Aug '16 10:50:08 AM by CaptainCapsase
Gonna expose my ignorance here and ask what transhumanism has to do with the above?
edited 10th Aug '16 10:53:13 AM by sgamer82
Of course I'd point out that depression has both genetic and environmental factors, and that diagnostics depend on the cultural background of the patient (For example, Asian cultures express symptoms of depression different from Americans - for the longest time it was believed that depression didn't afflict non-Euro-American because the symptoms didn't match those of European-American cultures. Not counting social stigma against being diagnosed present in all culture and stronger in some than others) So "Rates of Depression in the Amazon Tribes" as a baseline compared to "Modern civilization" is meaningless when you're dealing with A) a far smaller population size (Thus smaller genepool that might not have some of the genes involved in depression as abundant as another) and B) with a completely different cultural background.
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Robot arms and laser eyes are by far the least socially transformative potential aspects of transhumanism. Addressing the underlying deficiencies with human behavior is by far the most exciting aspect for me. Poor planning for the long term due to the relative "newness" of the neocortex, detachment from people with whom we cannot interact with, various obselete instincts...With sufficiently advanced technology, all of that could be addressed.
edited 10th Aug '16 11:00:31 AM by CaptainCapsase
After seeing the answer to my question open with " Robot arms and laser eyes " I wonder if the seriousness should leave my question.
For something on topic
"Trump Muslim comments do not tarnish view of U.S. freedoms abroad: ambassador" - http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN10L1XZ
edited 10th Aug '16 11:09:05 AM by sgamer82
Honestly the word transhumanism brought to mind the Transhuman Treachery trope more than anything.
".@realDonaldTrump you think gun violence is a joke? Would love to tell you about Mom's life and gruesome MURDER," Smegielski tweeted at Trump.
Link to tweet: https://twitter.com/EricaSmegs/status/763118743081758720
edited 10th Aug '16 11:15:21 AM by sgamer82
Clinton has launched a new website Together for America
, aimed at winning over Republicans who have been left adrift in the wake of Trump's nomination.
Among the declared
supporters are:
Samples of prominent Republicans in Together for America. Bold in original text:
“I support Hillary Clinton because she has the steady temperament and the experience to serve as president. She has shown her commitment to strengthening U.S.-Cuba relations, immigration reform, and America’s role in today’s competitive global economy. I look forward to supporting her progress on these important issues.”
Connie Morella, Former U.S. Ambassador to the OECD (2003-2005) and Former U.S. Representative from Maryland (1987-2003)
“Hillary Clinton has the knowledge, the experience, and the commitment to lead our country as president and Commander in Chief. She will reach out to every segment of our society to move our country forward. I have seen her work across the aisle to get things done and I know her lifelong commitment to families and children. Unlike her opponent, she will not divide, bully, or dismiss us. She is the right choice in this election and I wholeheartedly support her – and urge my fellow Republicans to look at the choice before them and do the same.”
John Negroponte, Five-time Ambassador, Deputy National Security Advisor to Ronald Reagan, and Director of National Intelligence and Deputy Secretary of State for George W. Bush
“I have personally known Hillary Clinton as First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State. She will bring to the Presidency the skill, experience and wisdom that is needed in a president and Commander in Chief. Having myself served in numerous diplomatic and national security positions starting in 1960, I am convinced that Secretary Clinton has the leadership qualities that far and away qualify her best to be our next president.”
Chris Shays, Former U.S. Representative from Connecticut (1987-2009)
“Donald Trump represents practically everything I was taught not to be, and taught our daughter not to be. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate for president, will be getting my vote, not reluctantly, but with a strong conviction she will be a good president. By working with all Americans Hillary will reinforce the fact that the inspired efforts of our Founding Fathers — who toiled unceasingly to create a Constitution designed to enable a diverse people, through the art of compromise, to find common ground — was not in vain.”
Together for America has leaders from a wide range of fields and areas of expertise, including the business community, national security, foreign and economic policy, academia, entertainment, civil society, community based groups and current and former officials. Meg Whitman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
“As a proud Republican, casting my vote for president has usually been a simple matter. Not this year. The reality we face is that Donald Trump is unfit to be president. And that is why more and more Republicans are doing what I did and supporting Hillary Clinton. Secretary Clinton’s temperament, global experience and commitment to America’s bedrock national values make her the right choice in 2016 for President of the United States.”
edited 10th Aug '16 11:57:12 AM by Parable
I was looking around to see if there was anything that came about from Trump's "Second Amendment" comment from yesterday and I stumbled across this from that Nate Silver site: Trump Is In Fourth Place Among Black Voters
.
I knew he wasn't doing too hot with black voters but this?
edited 10th Aug '16 1:45:38 PM by FalseDichotomy
Zeddonymous @Zedd Rebel 1h1 hour ago
Trump voter: "I like Trump because he says exactly what he means."
Trump: 'Somebody shoot my opponent'
Trump voter: 'He didn't mean that'
edited 10th Aug '16 1:56:39 PM by MadSkillz
"He speaks for us. He says all the things that we've been shamed by society's rules into keeping to ourselves, because we get labeled 'bigots'."
What this tells us, interestingly, is that political correctness is working along its intended lines: it is shaming people into keeping obnoxious ideas out of the public arena. Trump is the living representation of the backlash to it, however.
edited 10th Aug '16 2:04:02 PM by Fighteer
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"Nah, Stein's reviled almost as much as Trump. Johnson and Harambe, on the other hand, might have a chance. Especially if they combine their ticket.

Fuck.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.