Earth is a Terrible Place to Live - Tree of Souls

Banefull · #1 02-22-2011, 04:57 PM

**Woodsprite** · #2 02-22-2011, 08:46 PM

I know this may seem like a silly question to most, especially after watching, but...

...How is earth a terrible place to live?

^That's a serious question, btw.

Empty Glass · #3 02-22-2011, 08:59 PM

Before the video was done, I knew what I was going to type in this post and I type thus:

These videos are always eye-opening, but I never know what to do after them. Should I...
1) appreciate the wealth and comfort that I have, or...
2) give up that comfort?

I always feel like #2 has a stronger moral calling and/or is an obligation of myself. Obviously, it's hard.

(I realize, by the way, that I am ignoring the message at the end of the video as well as the links provided. Regardless, if anyone has any response to what I've written above, I'd be glad to hear it.)

Ashen Key · #4 02-22-2011, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Empty Glass

Before the video was done, I knew what I was going to type in this post and I type thus:

These videos are always eye-opening, but I never know what to do after them. Should I...
1) appreciate the wealth and comfort that I have, or...
2) give up that comfort?

I always feel like #2 has a stronger moral calling and/or is an obligation of myself. Obviously, it's hard.

(I realize, by the way, that I am ignoring the message at the end of the video as well as the links provided. Regardless, if anyone has any response to what I've written above, I'd be glad to hear it.)

There is a third option - use the privilege you were born into to HELP other people. Merely throwing away what you have doesn't actually help anyone.

**Woodsprite** · #5 02-22-2011, 10:43 PM

But how does this video connote to earth being a terrible place to live??

Empty Glass · #6 02-22-2011, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashen Key

There is a third option - use the privilege you were born into to HELP other people. Merely throwing away what you have doesn't actually help anyone.

True, true. And that's where the websites at the end of the video come in as a starting point.

I know what made me think the way I did, but I'll refrain from mentioning it. That's all from me for now.

**Isard** · #7 02-22-2011, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashen Key

There is a third option - use the privilege you were born into to HELP other people. Merely throwing away what you have doesn't actually help anyone.

Plus one for getting it.

Human No More · #8 02-22-2011, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsprite

I know this may seem like a silly question to most, especially after watching, but...

...How is earth a terrible place to live?

^That's a serious question, btw.

Are you trolling?
(That is serious too).

Nobody should be forced to live in those conditions. It shows how unequal things are, primarily because there are far too many people on Earth.

As Ashen Key said, use what you have to help others where you can.
Remember, as the video says, appreciate what you have.

**Woodsprite** · #9 02-22-2011, 11:27 PM

So... appreciating what we have somehow makes the world a terrible place to live...?

I don't follow.

EDIT: By the way, since you acknowledge that I'm being serious in my inquiry, why are you seriously considering whether or not I'm trolling? Aren't you contradicting yourself, or do you know what "trolling" means?

Also, no one is forcing these people to live the way they do. It's just the way things are.

**Isard** · #10 02-22-2011, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsprite

So... appreciating what we have somehow makes the world a terrible place to live...?

I don't follow.

Read what was posted. Its wonderful to appreciate what you have. Setting aside a little for those less fortunate is even better. (aka: charities)

Most people do this, through... RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS!

Oh yes, the evils of religion. Building wells in Kenya dontcha know?

**Grif** · #11 02-22-2011, 11:31 PM

Earth isn't a terrible place to live. In fact it is a fantastic place to live. So much to look at, so much to learn about, so much to experience. No, the real problem is people. Yes people can be some of the most caring creatures in the world, but for some reason people can be extremely selfish as well.

Ashen Key · #12 02-22-2011, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isard

Read what was posted. Its wonderful to appreciate what you have. Setting aside a little for those less fortunate is even better. (aka: charities)

Most people do this, through... RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS!

Oh yes, the evils of religion. Building wells in Kenya dontcha know?

You can disagree with organized religion and acknowledge that it can do good things - I myself very rarely donate to religious charities. Or, if I do, I read very carefully if they just happen to be religious but are rarely open to all creeds and don't force their views on people, OR if part of their gig is spreading the word of God. The latter ones I avoid, both as I am atheist and because I believe that ultimately they do more harm than good. But that's not the topic under discussion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grif

Earth isn't a terrible place to live. In fact it is a fantastic place to live. So much to look at, so much to learn about, so much to experience. No, the real problem is people. Yes people can be some of the most caring creatures in the world, but for some reason people can be extremely selfish as well.

There is also the little thing of how we evolved to be on this planet. And. We can't exactly go anywhere else because we love such things as sunshine without radiation and being able to breathe oxygen. So, from that point of view, Earth is fantastic - we'd die if we went anywhere else.

**Woodsprite** · #13 02-22-2011, 11:42 PM

...The point of any religion is to convert the other to believing. It may not be so assertive all the time, but the ultimate goal is to get people to believe, and there's nothing wrong with that. Christianity does the same thing; take it from me, I'm one of 'em, and we do not try to force religion on people. It's sad what the secular community is taught about "organized religion" in that it always "tries to force its views on others".

It doesn't.

caveman · #14 02-22-2011, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsprite

But how does this video connote to earth being a terrible place to live??

Imagine this is a town of 100 people. Would you say its a particularly nice town to live in if 43 people don't have basic sanitation, 1/5 has to drink dirty water, and 13 can't afford adequate food... all while 6 of the town members have 60 percent of the wealth?

To me, Earth sounds more like a poor ghetto run by a small street gang. I wouldn't want to live there.

Often times, these statistics go right over our heads because we don't see starving people on a day-to-day basis. I think the idea of the video is to situate yourself into these numbers, to really get a sense of what its like to live in an average town from our home world.

**Isard** · #15 02-22-2011, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsprite

...The point of any religion is to convert the other to believing. It may not be so assertive all the time, but the ultimate goal is to get people to believe, and there's nothing wrong with that. Christianity does the same thing; take it from me, I'm one of 'em, and we do not try to force religion on people. It's sad what the secular community is taught about "organized religion" in that it always "tries to force its views on others".

It doesn't.

I don't try to convert people.

My church doesn't try to convert people.

We're more about the religion than recruiting.