We bathe, we scent ourselves & dress nicely, BUT

[SoCalDem]

humans are not very far from our barbarian-selves in an evolutionary sense.

There is always a tipping point somewhere and when enough people reach that point at the same time, all bets are off.


It's probably built into our "code" to seek advantage (to insure that OUR progeny succeeds, even if at the expense of others'), but when there are times of plenty and harmony, it's easier to suppress the "barbarian nature". Why fight if you don't have to?

"Advantage" in past times could be better shelter, food-hoarding, or seeking healthier/stronger mates/cohorts. What we have now is obsessive advantage by a few, to the detriment of the many.

We think we are modern and enlightened, but when push comes to shove, people can and will do whatever is necessary, even if it is not "civilized".



Looking back at history shows us that "civilized" people can (and do) do barbaric things when pushed too hard.

There has now been a death in Greece, and police all over the place are punishing people for daring to state the obvious by protesting.

We are entering a dangerous phase right now, and things will change. How they change is anyone's guess right now.

[msongs]

1. been hanging out in megachurches again I see nt

[SoCalDem]

2. Hah!...more like NO church

except for the occasional wedding/funeral:)

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. I did not realize somebody died in Greece

But yup, you are onto something. We are living in revolutionary times. These can be peaceful, violent, or most likely a mix of them. Ah the Chinese curse...

[htuttle]

4. Thinking of us as 'barbarians' is something of a compliment

In reality, we are living on the Planet of the Apes. I'm just glad we don't actually throw feces at each other anymore -- or at least not as often.

[EC]

5. It's our sense of survival

and when it feels threatened, we do the only thing left...fight.

[MisterP]

6. read Douglas P. Fry's "The Human Potential for Peace"

it shows how the OP is based on seriously flawed preconceptions of evolution, anthropology, sociology, etc., etc.

[SoCalDem]

7. Thanks for your concern