What is the biggest threat to humanity?

What would you say is the biggest threat to humanity? Why?

I think humans are the biggest threat to humanity, look at everything humans have created over the years, I think we're a bigger threat then what we've created.

I agree.

I chose Religion, Terrorists, Racism, and Other..

I said Religion because some of the most heinous crimes were commited in the name of religion.

And because some people's irate fanaticism, ignorance, and irrationality, they become terrorists, and use their religion as a scapegoat, or a means of justification of their malicious behavior or hatred toward others, be they a different race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender.

Other being Diseases, Outbreaks, etc.. and Ignorance.

I did not choose the other options because:

I can't say anything on Atheism, as I am not atheist myself, although, I do admit, that the Atheists I have encountered, were a lot more rational, and logical, then the religious people I have spoken to.

I have never seen an Atheist or a group of Atheists, hijack a plane killing thousands of people in the name of Atheism.

And that is all I am going to say on that.

Technology, Cloning, and Advanced Military Technology not so much, because they can be used for the greater good.

If it weren't for technology, we'd still be in the dark ages.. perhaps running around the world grunting and clubbing people.. ok well.. not really, but you get my point.

Cloning can be regarded as an advancement in medicine. Though you will always have some who will abuse it.

Advanced Military Technology, is and always will be good for defense. Which will benefit mankind.

The one thing that these things have in common, is that a person's own ignorance can turn their beneficial uses, into detrimental abuses.

But in all honesty, I think man-kind and his ignorance are, and always will be the biggest threats to humanity.

I chose, Terrorism, Racism, Religions, Advanced Weaponry, wars, etc, and technology in general.

My ideas on religion and terrorism are basically a ditto on what BA said. Look at what happened during the Medieval Times, there were the Crusades in the name of God. Now look what we have... Hell, even Hitler's rage was sparked by religion. The settlers of American killed Indians if they wouldn't convert as well... So... Religion has proven to be a massive threat.

I chose Racism as well, because that places social groups against one another. Because of this, humans turn their backs to face each other, feeling an ignorant sensation of superiority over one side. A lot of killing as been done in racism.

Now, I chose Advanced weaponry, AND wars because it was implying more. Wars are possibly the single most dangerous thing toward a human being. While the ignorance may fuel the ideas of war, the ignorance is not the war in itself. Wars have subjected to killing thousands, millions, and everyone loses, no one can win. There is always a casualty no matter how small the war is. The advanced weaponry can simply be used to kill people. While you can simply say that it's for defense, it can also be used as an offense. Really, a lot of the times people use it for that. You don't think murderers, and I would consider a hand gun advanced compared to a bow (Depends on the warfare you suggest), buy their pistols to defend themselves. Maybe before they got the twisted idea of taking another's life, but then they use it to kill, which shows that even the smallest of weapons is a threat.

Then I also picked technology. Technology has proven to be an effective weapon for anyone. For instance computer's hold personal files, viruses can Hi-Jack these files and exploit you. Technology in general has so many flaws it is a danger. Oh, and let's not even rule out transportation. From car accidents, to lost ships, to suicide bombings using planes, technology can prove to be a wondrous threat. Once again, while human ignorance may be the fuel, perhaps it was their ignorance with making the things.

As for atheism and cloning... Well...

Atheism, I'm not sure what is wrong with it. Perhaps it's a religious view or something, that because they don't follow your religion that they are going to be anarchical or that they don't follow the same morals. All of that, of course would be completely untrue. I really don't understand how atheist could be a threat.

Cloning... The only thing I see that as a threat to, is human individuality. Even then, it'd be just like having a twin. The child would grow to develop his/her own personality. And as BA said, it can be looked at in a medical perspective.

So that's just what I think.

This post has been edited by Dictator on Jul 15 2007, 12:09 PM

Why is Atheism on the list? I'm Christian and I think people with actual religions are more dangerous then those who don't. Think about it. Most religions have you believe that you go somewhere when you die. My understanding is that Atheism just make you plain die. Who would be more afraid of thier death?

Because there are a lot of Christians who believe that Atheists are the same as Satists, (these are the same people who believe that homosexuality is contagious, or that gay people walk around horny all the time, wanting to fuck straight people..) and I want to see their arguments regarding why they feel that way.

There are benefits and drawbacks to everything...

Religion can be a source of comfort in this world (such as in helping the sick), but like stated it can also be used as a guise for war.

Cloning I dislike the idea of because it would provide cheaper and easier way to build up armies. (And there is no way a government could resist it, especially if it was a fledgling one.)

Advanced military technology is only useful if used properly. And thats the problem the current governments are so corrupted that it's pathetic, they look for reasons to go to war, thus employing otherwise defensive weapons in offensive situations.

Racism is defintely possible to overcome. It would require time to do so but I think it is very possible to stamp out racism. Though the way we're going about it now isn't helping get rid of it.

Ignorance might be harder to get rid of, but it still may be possible.

Technology, one again, has benefits and drawbacks... Without it we wouldn't be having this discussion. So if it means living with a few hackers and a bit of risk... I'd rather have it than not. (Besides just because it can be risky doesn't mean you have to use it, but if you do decide to, there are precautions you can take.)

I believe that the biggest threats are our stupidity, egos, greed and powerlust.

Without greed wars would not be fought (Because everybody would settle for getting what is enough for them, and not need more, because of this there would be no wars to conquor lands or acquire resources), thus weapons wouldn't be necessary.
And along with that, as we hold weapons our egos inflate, we feel powerful and we want more power. (Both greed and powerlust are direct results.) And as we get more power we feel we're better thus we deserve more (Greed kicking in again.)

Well said VZ, though mankind, and his ignorance is still a contributing factor in all that you've elaborated on.

Of the choices, everything can be utilized for good or bad, but it is that persons ignorance that becomes a determining factor in the decision.

space comets taking us dino style
also some crazy religion nut releasing some deadly pathogen in to the to "kill the non-believers"

We might be able to stop a meteorite though... (The US Gov't has enough Nuclear missiles that they could probably use a few of them to save Earth and still have plenty to spare.)

Only problem with the second theory is:
If they decide to release a pathogen, then they better besure none of them get infected... or they have an antidote... (And if they have one then surely the rest of the world can devise one.)

I say the way we kill ourselves is either nuclear war or we overload the planet and cause a mass extinction of everything.

the biggest threat to humanity is the revolution of cerebral cortex implants allowing the reception of digital satellite tv directly into your brain, which means that when your favorite show is on you just stop working driving, flying your jetpack, space shuttle, etc. American/british/japanese/Bengali/Moscow Idol would kill all productivity, the super bowl CCVII, world series, playoffs,Spice channel,Playboy etc.

and if that isn't scary think about when the upgrade comes with TIVO functionality, and websurfing

Allow me to illustrate


Thats weird!

Or


Creepy!!

and last but not least

XD!

humanity ALWAYS needed to believe something superior to themselves that's why we have religion

we need to also look at military tecnology especially nuclear weapons if one of those things go of a lot of people will suffer and if alot went off at the same time well lose many of our own -the cause of this -HUMANITY!!! we are the true cause of our own suffering and actions.

-People will kill their own kind when overcome by greed-
(Shadow the Hedgehog-space colony)

'I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.' - Albert Einstein.

-Nuff said.