posted on May, 5 2009 @ 05:37 PM
Gotta love the degree of intellectual challenge here on ATS, I suppose I should have been more explicit. Although I respect your right to disagree, I
think if you would have taken more time to examine my post you would have seen how founded in truth my assertions were.
You said "I do not see how our civilization is in 'step 1'. What is the scale?":
Now even though I highlighted, and explicitly denoted three empirical metrics which are a reflection of civilization, I will delve into the
fundamental aspects of why are in the first step of civilization, at best.
1) History of our global civilization spans about 10,000 years, and is still rife with inaccuracies and misunderstandings. Without a frame of
reference 10,000 years could be (mis)perceived as a long time, however, in the light of reason (and statistics) this short history of civilization
places Earth firmly toward the bottom of any comparison of civilizations within this vast universe. Any advancement from electronics to rule of law
is recent indeed, and therefore, unrefined. Imagine a civilization 10,000,000 years old-any aspect of our civilization would be incomparable.
2) When in doubt, the meaning of the word speaks volumes as to its characteristics. Civilization, root word civil, from the latin "civilis"
meaning kind or courteous. Therefore, the characteristics of any true civilization are kindness and courtesy. The metrics I outlined in my original
post outline the degree of kindness and courtesy in this world at the macro level. Clearly it is not much.
You also said "Why does war and pain and starvation make it so we are a third rate being?"
-It does not, but it does speak volumes about our civilization.
"What evidence is there that ETs are some peaceful, loving species?"
-The myriad of ET species precludes all of them being peaceful and loving, however, Earth is about as unpeaceful and unloving as a civilization could
be and, in its present state, is flirting with self-destruction. Take a look around. If we can speak of peace or love on a relative scale this
civilization is about the bottom of the barrel and our space neighbors know it.
"You state all this and then add, out of nowhere; 'Disclosure is critical for the survival of humanity in this century and beyond. Only then will
the average person be willing and able to reason with an expanded scope, and therefore, act far more ethically.'"
-I thought I made a clear connection between expanding the attention of the average person to outside Earth and thinking on a longer time-scale, and
therefore, acting more ethically.
By the way ethics is understanding and applying the best solution which results in survivability-sorry for any confusion.
The connection between disclosure an ethics is, essentially, giving humanity a new measuring stick by which to judge itself will enable even the
average person to think and act more ethically, merely because its possibility becomes apparent. Fixating our attention on this one civilization, in
its short lifespan has led the common person to believe that life in a civilization teetering on the brink of self-destruction is simply "the way it
is". It is not.
I hope this clears up any confusion.
Truthfully,
Shane
[edit on 5-5-2009 by randolrs1]