Too many negative people on FP.
Negative? I was a paramedic in a busy inner-city and in the military for over 10 years. I don't know you or what you have been through, but if anyone witnessed the darkest, most evil sh*t that I did while working in the combat/ civilian sector- they'd come to the conclusion that humanity has failed and is in a rapid decline to the lowest point ever in the history of humanity (or lack there of).
I became a paramedic to help because I am a"bleeding heart," but had to quit because of the poor state of our medical system. I couldn't look a dying patient in the eyes and "act" like everything was fine when I knew that they were going to die because they had no insurance. 99.9999% of doctors will "turn off" all possibilities when they find out that the patient is uninsured.
Patients were ridiculed in the open for not being successful in their attempted suicide/ overdose. I witnessed this on a DAILY bases. I took action and lost a lot because I spoke up- the hierarchy is flawed in our medical system... actually, in any bureaucratic capitalist system where people have power... they will abuse it because of greed. They will bend and twist the rules to suit their personnel needs no matter how many people get hurt in the end, just as long as their heads stay above the water.
I also read many, many books, mostly academic peer-reviewed papers, articles, dissertations and journals based on scientific fact and studies. My knowledge not only comes from "real life" experience, but from well-cited and researched books, papers and journals as well. Hardcore evidence that has been proven- not on "faith" or jaded, biased gut-feelings...
"Ignorance is bliss" they say and I am honestly a very optimistic individual (a choir teacher now), everything that I stated in my previous message was based on FACT. Not a random warped uneducated opinion... it is all from genuine experience.
Look at how we are being poisoned by food companies and corporations with all these "food-like" substances, chemicals and genetically modified foodstuff to save a buck (on their end) as well as making it faster and more with less. This very substance that is supposed to replenish and nourish our bodies with nutrients as well as keeping us alive is KILLING us slowly. The fish is tainted by our pollution, the beef contains less nutrients due to the cheap feed instead of real grass, the vegetables are being "enhanced" in laboratories, which in turn will effect us 100%.
The elite top 10% in this world will stay there and keep everyone else where they are because of a network of friends that is a constant perpetuation of connections that only helps people like themselves succeed- no outsiders are getting in there. Sorry sir, you are not on the guest list... and will NEVER be.
Our schools are failing the youth of our nation, look at the numbers on illiteracy in the U.S. alone... our universities are failing the students and is giving them false hope of "success" while taking their money and spitting them out faster than ever before. The actual graduation completion percentage of college students in the U.S. is depressing. Standardized testing is the end-all, be-all- EPIC FAIL! There is no "standardization" in multiple intelligences with people from different socioeconomic backgrounds and cultures. Student loans are making people decide whether to eat or pay and come attached with hefty percentage rates that should be illegal.
Oh, but wait, you can RISK YOUR LIFE by joining the military and getting school money (does a horse being teased by a carrot to move forward come to mind?) and know that soldiers are dying, most of which whom had no other choice to get school money... I am lucky to have made it out alive and am now getting my Master's degree. Roll the dice...
Our population is only getting bigger and at a staggering rate! Where will we get all of the resources to satisfy all the peoples' needs in this world? It will have to be made artificially because we are diminshing our natural resources at a break-neck speed. Soon violence will ensue for a simple plastic bottle of clean water.
Once this world is in dire straits, paper money will be worth NOTHING! Once our infrastructure has failed, the only items that will matter will be food, water and shelter. People will kill for this, all other concerns will fall by the wayside. The sustainability of (individual) life will rule and all other issues will become superfluous and extraneous.
I hope this world does become a better place, but research the FACTS and the truth is that this world is falling in a downward spiral and is using the express lane. I would love to believe that my daughter will live in a better world than I, but looking at where we came from to where we are now... it's hard to believe.
Negative? Nah, just truth based on fact.
---------- Post added 03-27-2011 at 04:33 AM ---------- Previous post was 03-26-2011 at 10:31 PM ----------
Live on the Sun? I believe that the sun's temperature is 5,778 Kelvin (9,940.73 ° Fahrenheit) and is about 149. 6 million kilometers from Earth. Man, I get a little grumpy when my thermostat hits about 75° F in my house!
I don't want to seem like a curmudgeon or a "Donnie Downer" here, but we as humans cannot withstand
the temperature alone. I know a hot day in Austin, TX is like Hell and the Sun is far... I would hate to get any closer to that thing!
I hear what you are saying when you refer to "our current limitations" and I know that imagination is the "MAGIC" (Charlie Sheen) that gives birth to new ideas and innovations in technology, but making a material that can withstand an obliterating 9,940.73 ° Fahrenheit temperature while maintaining a comfortable, livable human environment? Now that's an idea to marvel.
