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What would you TAKE AWAY from the world to make it a better place?
#279350 - Tue Dec 24 2002 11:43 AM
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This User Friendly strip is quite intresting... so I'm going to pose you folks that same question.What would you TAKE AWAY from the world to make it a better place?
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CREATE: VCL Gallery, Stalag '99 webcomic | PITCH: Canmephian Wares
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I myself would take away the spammers, BTW. 
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CREATE: VCL Gallery, Stalag '99 webcomic | PITCH: Canmephian Wares
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Um... Monkeys ^^ Naw... let's see... I'd love to say President Bush but I know how much people would hate me for saying that ^^; I'd have to say pop music.
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 Psychadelic card drawn by Seby. She 0////Z! | Kala as Guardian by Noelle! I praze her skillz!
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Me, I'd take away the perception that "this stuff is hard".Some of you already know I work as technical support (I came here directly from the UF page, for the same reason as you, RedWolf), and a lot of the calls I get are from people asking... well, I can say it since they're not listening. Dumb questions. "I can't install [the driver for a printer], it says it's already installed!" "Have you tried printing?" "No... *background noises* Hey, it's printing! What did you do?" Sure, there is some 'hard stuff' in the world. IP routing, combustion-engine design, etc... but things that people use on a daily basis have, for the most part, been simplified to the point that people can use them.
-------------------- Helpful traveller roams the world to seek himself. His name? Pastangum.
 The difference between carrying the weight of the world, and holding the world in the palm of your hand, is your perspective. Want to draw me? Want to know what I think about it?
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Well, since everyone else has gotten rid of all the other stuff I can think of, can I get rid of Aaron Spelling? I know its bad to say that, but how many shows does one person need be a producer in. And why is it every show he IS a producer in, all seems to be the same. Ok, maybe its just something, me and my PG have against every evening show on the WB, but eh, thats just me.Getting rid of spammers, or virus writers is right up there with Aaron Spelling. I'm not sure which one of the three is worst. 
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  Seby makes cards SHINY! Thank you Seby! DOOK! Thanks for my 8-Bit self Kei. | GG Profile Salen: Drawn by Kei Kittora | by Cave | by Daync Celdra | By me Original version | Shiney Card by Fantasyforever Ferret Powered Art! Dook!
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The entirety of human race, except several select exceptions.
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  Who am Why should you care?
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"What POSSIBLE exceptions could there be!?! DISPOOOOSE OF THE HUMANS!!! The whole lot of em!! Bah! Discusting creatures!"
-------------------- ~Don't step on the flowers~
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I'm going to go out on a limb and be somewhat serious here. I would remove...Organized Religion.[/controversial statement] Why? Think of all the trouble it's gotten us in. Wars. Hatred. Violence, misunderstanding, the list goes on and on. It's easy to say that without organized religion, there could have been no 9-11. But that's just speculation, so we won't really go there. I'm not saying that any form of religion at all should be banned--I'm a religious man myself. I simply think that religion is at most a personal thing, and it can never be more than that. What matters is one's personal relationship with God, Allah, or whatever else you believe in, rather than following a strict set of rules that say how, when, where, and why to worship aforementioned Deiety. A church should be what it's supposed to be -- a gathering of people with the same beliefs. It should not be a multi-national conglomoration that regulates what is nothing other than a matter of faith. I'm also of the belief that no person should tell another person what to believe religiously -- telling a non-christian that (s)he's gonna be damned to the christian hell is just plain absurd. It's hard to think of a war that hasn't had some religious connection. The crusades, the holocaust, the 'war on terrorism', the proposed war in Iraq, and all of those others. Be happy in life, and don't let someone else decide your beliefs.
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Valium
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Member #1552
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Posts: 139
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Excellent choice. I've NEVER believed in organized religions, and I probably never will.Everyone has various beliefs, some simmiliar to others, sure, but not the same. The only thing I find organized religions do (from my stand point) is close minds to other ways of thinking. For instance, I believe some things in Christianity, some in Buddhism, and a few Pagan believes too. When I tell people that, those in an organized religion flip out. "You can't do that! Thats againts the teachings!" Pssh! If they would just step out of their little box and look at the world around them, they would know better...
-------------------- I promise I won't bite... ...too deeply. *slowly grins*
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quote: Originally posted by Sanguine Rose: "What POSSIBLE exceptions could there be!?! DISPOOOOSE OF THE HUMANS!!! The whole lot of em!! Bah! Discusting creatures!"
On second thought, I should probably have phrased that better. Feel free to replace "human race" with "everything and everyone sentient, approaching sentiency or having potential to develop it at any point in time". Thank you.
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  Who am Why should you care?
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Yeah but wouldnt that mean youŽd exclude the human race from extermination again?What if we instead get rid of stupidity itself.
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Davish
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Member #1082
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Posts: 343
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well it must be repeated for the good of mankind...bye bye george bush. The man is a *lot of rude words*so yeah go kick him cos well I've already discussed my anti-george issues to death on AIM
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 yay *glomp* for mr Britt again If you dream too hard does your nose bleed too?
I am back did you do it? tell me if you did? If a situation upsets you, change the way you think of the situation Well I did warn you not to
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Lessee... getting rid of humans. Well, because I'm quite antisocial, tend to think the worst of others at first glance, and have admitted to some less than admirable traits, I might be inclined to that. However... that's not what I'd want. It borders hellishly on a genocidal motive, something I cannot allow myself. Too close into the abyssal mindset of a certain WW2 german madman, who I despise to the highest caliber.So, in thought about this, I would say I couldn't approve of wiping out/removing mankind, despite the problems we cause. I'm not crazy about religion either. It's like an excuse not to think sometimes. However, if we abolished religion, it would only be developed again. People need something higher than themselves to believe in. Religion is usually known for a bad insisted fervor nowadays, but it can feasibly grant some sense of morality to the otherwise wicked or worthless at heart. I'd have to pass on this too. Spammers, trolls, flamers, are all quite the nuisance, but I don't think the world would be improved greatly overall for removing them. They're more like needless flies, pestering, but not usually that hindering. So, by this, I have accepted the worse side effects of mankind? No. Asked this question, again putting some thought into it, I decided I would not want to censor, but enhance. Hiding something or ignoring it, does not make it go away actually. Destroying something in a physical sense, does not mean a residue of some effect might not exist either. As such, as my suggestion, I'd say we'd be better off without our overall lack of common sense and tunnel vision. Really, hitting someone in the head with a traffic pylon for fun (what Ward suffered), terrorizing one's neighborhood (the punks Jester dealt with), or some kid jumping in front of my moving car for fun (a very unpleasant day for me), does not reflect that person bearing these traits. So, what if we were to remove that sense of overall vapidity, which holds back wisdom and seeing beyond one's self? Wisdom. It is something not taught in schools, but something learned from reflection and life experiences itself. You cannot go to a store, and be granted wisdom, given, but if the tendencies of overwhelming selfishness, ego before thought, extentuating needy desires, and so on were somehow eliminated as if by a wish, it would be like a roadblock were surpassed to a grand and scenic highway before you. Of course, no one set the biggest roadblocks up but ourselves, in our own long dusky highways.
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 The Dream's one and only, 'Godzilla Smurf'
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If there is something that gives someone the power to remove something from the world,it would be the thing i would remove,such a power is to big to be used,it can be missused to easy.
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Hmm...if I could get rid of anything, it would be the prase "You're so lucky." I hate the way people say "You get all A's! You're so lucky!" or "You can draw! You're so lucky!" or "You can play 8 instruments! You're so lucky!" I mean, it must be all luck. I couldn't possibly have worked to get good grades, learn how to draw, or understand music. I just filled in all the right bubbles out of pure luck ^_^I actually think that organized religion is a good thing. Religion gives people support, someone to turn to. The problem isn't organized religion. The problem is the concept of "my god can beat up your god". I guess I just say this because, as a Unitarian Universalist, I belong to an organized religion that is more an organization than a religion in many respects. It seems to me that some people don't understand the concept of morality in itself, only as part of a religion. Some people's only reason for believing in things like "Abstinence is good" and "People shouldn't kill other people" is just that "The bible said so." Sure, they're not thinking for themselves, but you have to admit. These people found morals one way or another. There are so many people who say how their lives have improved by accepting Jesus Christ as their personal savior and whatnot. Sure, they might be blindly following some diety, but they're happy there. As long as they're not hurting someone else, I'm fine with letting them believe what they want to. Besides, not all churches are bad. Not all religions are about "think like us or die". I think it would be a real shame to abolish religion as a whole just because some people are idiots.
-------------------- Computer troubles! Should be back in a week or so!
Go here for my larger sig.
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Specifically, three of my coworkers. In general: first, religious fanatics. If there weren't any, the world wouldn't be in as much trouble as it is. Second, certain weapons of war and destruction. I am of the firm belief that if the world used medevil weapons (swords, bows and arrows, and other such things), there wouldn't be as many wars. Third, those @$$holes that stand outside of abortion clinics saying "Choose life!" and then kill the doctors that work at said clinic.
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 I am the PH34R l/ly l/l4d l337 Dr1v1n9 Sk1LLz!!! - common phrase said while driving Afraid of the dark? I never said that. No, I'm afraid of what is in the dark. Whatever you do, don't ever say "chestnuts and squirrels" in japanese. You want? Only faive dallar! Special bargain!
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I rather agree with Pastangum: we should get rid of the fear of trying something new. It's amazing what one can do if you're simply not scared to go for it, what you can learn if you never think "this is too hard to try". Explore.Heh... I have to disagree with your second choice though, Rin Kin. There were just as many wars around when all we had were swords and bows. 
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 Home is the space around your body. Every night is different. Every night is special.
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Fleas! Get rid of all this freaking, pesky little fleas... And Tapeworms! Who needs those?The way my mind works... 
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THANK YOU KOUPAL!!! *glomps* Computer power At the touch of her finger Noelle has the gift -Haiku by Reteo Varala
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quote: Originally posted by Noelle: Fleas! Get rid of all this freaking, pesky little fleas... And Tapeworms! Who needs those?The way my mind works...
I'm with you there, Noelle.
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CREATE: VCL Gallery, Stalag '99 webcomic | PITCH: Canmephian Wares
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mmmm, another tasty list.What would I get rid of? I suppose Saddamm Hussein and Iraq as a whole would be nice.
-------------------- I Tego Arcana Dei (The BERASEI creed) Thanks Himei All hail Val, all hail Denise! Thank you for the card!
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quote: Originally posted by Gabriel Blue: mmmm, another tasty list.What would I get rid of? I suppose Saddamm Hussein and Iraq as a whole would be nice.
Iraq as a country I wouldn't get rid of. Not only do you have all that oil to control, you got a ton of people who don't care who's controling the government, just get off their land!!! I'd get rid of Iraq's government.
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CREATE: VCL Gallery, Stalag '99 webcomic | PITCH: Canmephian Wares
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You want to know what to take away to make this world a better place? Individuality. If everyone thinks the same, nobody'd ever have a problem.Of course, consider the differences between people, and then consider the above, and ask yourself, would changing something really make the world a better place? Or would it make the world worse in some OTHER way? Personally, I'd not make a real choice on that one; the world is not the greatest place in the cosmos, but at least it's not Mercury nor Pluto. You want peace on earth? Well, make it peaceful in your corner of it. If someone confronts you, be ready to defend that peace, because passivity will NOT bring peace about; only vigilance and wisdom will work. (Vigilance to know when to fight for what you believe in, and wisdom to know the difference between defending your beliefs and just looking for trouble.)
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Time for some debating, as is the name of the forum. For now, just with Reteo. "Peace will not come out of a clash of arms but out of justice lived and done by unarmed nations in the face of odds." --Mohandas Ghandi Pacifism has been proven effective. I myself am a pacifist, because I see someone who fights as no different than who they fight against. It is not simply being peaceful and refusing to fight, and it is not simply protesting war. True pacifism is the ability to stand up to someone, take their blows and attacks, not attack in return, and still be standing up to them when they are finished. I have not been faced with such a situation, fortunately, and therefore do not know if I could do what I advocate. But I would try. Individuality is, as I see it, life itself. If there are no people, just parts of a whole, than none of them are really alive. Something that is alive can live on its own. A part would die if seperated from the collective. Life is the experience of being a person, doing things, and seeing and feeling things that can not be created by another person under any circumstances. For example, two people see the same event standing side by side. Each one will see and experience the event completely different, because of both the slightly different viewpoint and the unpredictable thoughts which may run through their heads at the time. If everyone sees, feels, and thinks things the same, how is it not one person living instead of six billion? The need for individuality strikes me as being as much of a base need as food, water, air, and shelter. At least part of everyone strives for individuality, although some people do a good job of fighting it. I think of this as one of the reasons I act and speak in public -- to be noticed, to be seperated from the crowd as a completely different person. Take away my individuality, and I have nothing to live for.
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Take away our individuality? I would not want to live in such a world, even if it was the most peaceful place in existence. There'd be no need for morals, thought, and especially art, since everything would be static by the singular commune perspective. I don't want to be some fleshy cog in a great single minded machine, more so than I am forced to be now. We are already told to be obedient and be as a team in various places, and a lot of people, do not like that at all. I want to be something more than a sheep with varying levels of fluffy wool, not be cloned into the perspective and life of the others in the flock. It is anathema to those who bear the fire of the free spirit within their chests. It is also, from a human standpoint, unnatural. We were born as we were, flawed but potentially versatile. If we were meant to be ants, I would be carrying a bit of fungus or caramel apple for my brood making queen. I feel, if we were all of one thought, one motive, and so on, life would be meaningless. We would simply exist then, and from that point, it is not worth being sentient. On Deiz's comments about pacifism, I can't agree either. It doesn't work, in my opinion. I grew up the most gentle kindly and inoffensive boy I could be, as was the childhood I was given by my mother, school, and media content (seasame street, as an example). I was repaid with physical abuse, misery, and lasting psychological trauma. I tried my damnest not to harm others, because I generally knew they didn't understand/lacked the capacity to care, about what they were doing. But I did not seek for my entire life to be abused by those who would not or could not see what they were doing. Only when I fought back not with words or unwittingly acting as a target, but with brutality, did I fully assert myself from the violent and cruel spirited peons I was surrounded by. I still hold to this, for I have not escaped them, no matter where I go. However, I also do not seek to become them, or any sort of big dog on the hill. Animals do not believe in pacifism either, since they kill each other for food, territory, irritation, and so on. And yet, they're more in sync with their environment and the world itself. I'm not saying we should climb trees and throw coconuts. Rather, violence is simply innate within life. Something must die or be destroyed, that something else might live. Violence however, like most any extreme, is bad when there is too much. It is one thing to fend off the local thug. It is another thing to beat one's wife or committ genocide. I think words are a very appropriate means to first attempt in conflict. But I see no reason not to expand my options with peaceful means fail. I think we should seek peaceful intentions, but not leave ourselves victims to a belief structure when it proves time and time again, impractical (the example in my case, of course). Everyone has the primordial right, and possible impulse, to defend themselves. By physically fighting back when necessary, I am showing nature's way of expressing to others, 'DO NOT TOUCH'. I find, as confused as many can be with their instincts, things like this tend to awaken quickly.
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 "Flies just tend to have a bad habit of wandering into spiderwebs. The scent of death seems to draw them." -Mouche-
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I trust those of you who responded to the "Individuality" post understood what I was getting at? I don't believe it should be taken away, either.However, that simply means that I must acknowledge the consequences of free will and thought, which include difference of opinion, and the choice of some people to be forcibly conflicting...and to be willing to defend my own beliefs (and myself) should the need arise. And Deized, pacifists don't stand up for themselves; they believe that taking the bullet is better than dealing it. If you stand up for yourself, even if you just take their assault and still stand strong, without even throwing a punch, then you're fighting... it's a little different than an all-out brawl, but not by much... it's more psychological than physical. And everyone here has suggested some form of the taking away of individuality... take away certain weapons, take away hate or fear, take away this habit or that problem. Every single one implies that a person be limited as to what he/she can want or do. A lot of those thigns are not good things, but we must be free to make our mistakes, as well as our glories.
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