helpfuldemon Posted June 25, 2020 Im reading the Penguin History of the World and noticing that the history of the world is all about war, mostly. I find it funny that there are "barbarians" and then there are "civilized", when the civilized were war faring too. Its all barbaric if you ask me. Im about a sixth of the way through it and its all war war war, with a little advancing of religion sprinkled in. Havent even gotten to the science part yet. Makes me think about how we invaded a few places or make airstrikes on targets (people) and just randomly kill. America isnt that just, when you think about it. War should be waged in cultural form only, with the evidence that our way is best converting the other ways. If only we could get rid of the military <sigh>. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thelerner Posted June 25, 2020 (edited) Can't argue with that, but remember War gets the press, Peace doesn't lead, cause it doesn't bleed. So historians tend to ignore it. But it seems we're lucky if each generation only gets one war. Yet..on a personal basis, most of us here haven't fought. That's good. Course cold wars, fought on someone elses land with there blood and destruction can be the very worst. All in all, we're probably at a pretty peaceful time in history just now. Not perfect but better then historical standards I bet. So.. enjoy it while it lasts. Edited June 26, 2020 by thelerner Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zerostao Posted June 25, 2020 Trickster Crow, in the new snow. You caw, caw like crazy. Laugh. Because you know I'm a fool, too, like you skimming over the thin ice to the war going on all over the world. Joy Harjo I would recommend reading Will & Ariel Durant's Pulitzer prize winning The Lessons of History It finishes in about 100 pages. It explains much. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silent thunder Posted June 25, 2020 Wars: Those who start them, profit from them, they don't fight in them. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silent thunder Posted June 26, 2020 I abhore violence... Yet I've spent thousands of hours honing the ability to effectively harm people through martial practices... I abhore violence, yet I have an extensive armory collection of melee weapons and modern firearms... I tell myself that the reason I learned to fight effectively was to possess the knowledge, skill and ability to inflict the minimum amount of harm to stem a violent situation; or, if need be, be able to end things quickly to protect what is precious. I guess when push comes to shove, I should admit I'd rather be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cleansox Posted June 26, 2020 7 hours ago, helpfuldemon said: War should be waged in cultural form only, with the evidence that our way is best converting the other ways. Unfortunately, that is also a violent option. Look at any cultural group that has been denied their cultural roots because a group with more power has decided that their way is the norm. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Master Logray Posted June 26, 2020 9 hours ago, Cleansox said: Unfortunately, that is also a violent option. Look at any cultural group that has been denied their cultural roots because a group with more power has decided that their way is the norm. Exactly! Cultural expansion by commercialism is a recent phenomenon. Historically cultural change is often accompanied by power and violence. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zerostao Posted June 26, 2020 All the preparations of all the major military powers combined isn't doing much in the way of defense against the real global threat going on currently. Covid~19 appears to be winning its war as it spreads willy nilly throughout the world. It should not have been a surprise attack. Yet, it was. While defense remains scattered, even scatterbrained, the offensive continues on. "Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy." --Sun Tzu 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taomeow Posted June 26, 2020 1 hour ago, zerostao said: It should not have been a surprise attack. Yet, it was. Yes. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted June 27, 2020 On 27/06/2020 at 1:16 AM, Taomeow said: Yes. We should have a 'Martial Arts Demonstrations Gone Wrong' thread 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moment Posted June 28, 2020 2 hours ago, Nungali said: We should have a 'Martial Arts Demonstrations Gone Wrong' thread OK Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
