• Entropywins@kbin.social
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    9 months ago

    That is a very western, independent cultural paradigm you have there. Western culture and values are not shared by everyone in the west let alone all humanity.

    Only a few of us have strong narcissistic and anti-social personality traits, but they are vocal and usually end up in positions of power.

    I would argue the vast majority of humanity throughout history is more selfless and willing to sacrifice and work towards a goal than you give us credit for. Look at the big picture and think about how much innovation has come from a place not driven by profit potential but for THE potential to go further.

    • AllonzeeLV@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      When I look at the world and to the East, I see just as many people in suits lording over people slaving for very little. I see Asian factory owners and managers getting bonuses for inflicting draconian conditions on their factory workers to the point of suicides. I see eastern governments sending their citizens to brainwashing camps to make governing them a little easier. I see the rare society that does find homeostasis with its environment being decimated by societies of people with a selfish interest in the land they sit on time and time again. Taiwan isn’t at war with anyone, but China wants their shit because they want their shit. No cowboys or rugged individuals required.

      • Entropywins@kbin.social
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        9 months ago

        I can very much so see your point and have shared similar sentiments but I have to disagree with you. If you look at trends in humanity I honestly feel we collaborate and work together much more than we destroy, even if destruction and looking out for self gets more attention.

        There would be no one to take advantage of if we weren’t more often than not working together for common goals and interests. Those that take advantage of the rest of us are the minority, but again, they are vocal and usually in positions of power.

        You have excellent points and are speaking truth, but I just see it differently.

        • greencactus@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          I partially agree. I have come to the conclusion that we humans have amazing potential, for good and bad. There are terrible injustices and crimes committed, but humanity also creates art and science. I just don’t think we can compare the suffering and good we create - how can you compare the pain of the victims of the World Wars with the paintings of Da Vinci, yk? So in the end, one of the core points of social psychology is that situations have an enormous power of us. People can do terrible things when situations call for it (see the Milgram experiment or, on a big scale, the Holocaust), but also create enormous good (international aid organisations). We aren’t good or bad, it just really depends on the situations.

          Sometimes we act a certain way, no matter the situation. These act are rare, but they are there - and they’re often the ones who change the world, for better or worse.