> Richard Brodie wrote:
> >
> > Erik wrote:
>
> > >Classification is one thing, but using a number based "level"
> > >system tries to show a goal oriented evolution.
> > >Anyone care to postulate a goal?
> >
> > Shaping the evolution of man's future toward a place of safety,
> > abundance, and opportunity. How's that?
> >
>
> Good call.
Does anyone recall the Choatitian in "Jurassic Park" saying "Life
always finds a way" and then some of the dinosaurs changed sex in
order to reproduce?
I am convinced that "conflict" is an inherent constant in nature.
Take a handful of the most tolerant, well-meaning people in the
world and put them in a room. After a while, a fight will break
out. It does not have to with "intentions", it has to do with
the need for contrast.
We can't define "light" without "darkness", "good" without "bad"
or "peace" without "war". The reason why we seek out violence in
the movies is the need to get a contrast with our (hopefully)
non-violent everyday lives. We slow down to see gruesome accidents
because it is out of the norm. We're fascinated by death because
we love life.
This works both ways : in the height of a brutal war we seek peace.
The underlying principle is our lives revolve around differences.
A world without differences (race, religion, height, language, sex,
wealth etc.) is a dead world : it is the equivalent of a lobotomy.
Would this list be of any use if everyone always agreed with everyone
else? We need Leeper/McFadzean flame wars, we need Tad/Stephen blowups,
we need conflict.
Life isn't a race to a finish line, it's clearing the hurdles on the
track. Given reality, there will always be hurdles. But if for some
bizarre reason there weren't any then we'd sub-consciously create
them while being hell-bent on clearing them (a Level-3 paradox?).
I read this somewhere :-
"A wise man in time of peace, prepares for war"
Because, we know, not assume, know, there's always a next one. So
> > Shaping the evolution of man's future toward a place of safety,
> > abundance, and opportunity. How's that?
is our permanent hurdle. It's what defines us.
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Hakeeb A. Nandalal
nanco@trinidad.net
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