Are we Mature?

Im not talking about us as individuals, (I know im not that mature, :D ) but us as a society, both on a regional and global scale.
Do we live in a mature Civilisation? or are we just advanced Technicaly and Socialy no more advanced than the ancient Greeks? or even less advanced than the ancient Greeks?

I know that some cultures veiw our American culture as Wasteful. But personally I belive as a whole we are a Mature Society/Culture. We have grown to relize that everyone is equal and should be treated as such.

In practice, though, I think we rarely reach that ideal. I think that in our society, the individuals are too likely to be swayed by "mob rule", which doesn't help the mechanism of democracy. Individuals who are brave enough to stand against the crowd often find that their view, valid or not, fall on the deaf ears of those who will wait to change their mind until they think the consensus will change. So, again, they're just following the crowd.

Too many people refuse to think for themselves. They take their cues of what to do and what to think from their family, friends, media, etc.

Until people are able to make educated, reasonable decisons for themselves, I think that our system of democracy is compromised, and that our society isn't really "mature."

I guess that is true, but there are always some who stand out and object to things that they do not veiw the same.

I think that why most don't voice there opinions is because of fear of ridicule or personal harm by others who do not think the same.

This is good guys, keep it coming.......
:sun:

I thought of something else...

I don't believe that people in general are truly personally responsible for themselves. Sure there are many that are, but there is a staggering number that, when no one is looking, will do whatever they want for themselves, and are happy to let the responsibility for their actions go unclaimed.

With so many people who aren't personally responsible, I don't expect them to be socially responsible either. True social responsibility is something I would expect of a mature society.

Originally posted by TheMan5952
We have grown to relize that everyone is equal and should be treated as such.

We may have grown to relize this, but, are they? Sure people say that they dont discrimanate(sp) but everyone does. In a world where the kkk is still allowed to even walk the streets at all, is mind boggling. there will always be an unequal treating of human beings amongst each other, i honestly believe that there never will be a utopia as many believe that there will be. It is true that we have come along way, but still we'll never see a total peace.

I agree that people follow, and not lead. They have been taught that leading is wrong. jesus look at school books, they show martin luther king jr, leading the civil rights movement for a more civil america. what happens? he's shot. who wants to lead when they know they could be targeted by so many people. Are we mature? i think not. we're working on it though.

sorry about the rant.

the KKK is considerd a religon so the government cant shut them down so long as they are not violent and break the law.

This is an old topic, and I don't have a whole lot of inspirational thoughts to add to this discussion, but I too feel that we are not a mature society. I agree 100% with jay, who made pretty much the same point that I wish to make and support here.

I will add that evolution of human culture taught us a system of humane values, values that are often lost today, at least here in America. What I refer to may be a little "thin" in terms of an argument pertaining to humane values, but the loss of family structure, the rise of divorce rates, the increased materialism, these are all indicators that we are heading in the wrong direction if what we hope to embrace above all else is each other, our fellow human beings. To that end, the motives of the Sept. 11th terrorists, as well as the Nazis, the communists, among many others, in fact have noble origins. I am hoping that someday how we live will come full circle, that we will outgrow our way of life, that consumerism will fall prey to family values.

I hope that I'm not starting to sound like a preacher delivering the same sermon over and over, but dammit, we have lost ourselves in this blur of financial success, this constant drive for more wealth: greed is overpowering our fundamentally simplistic way of life. And the fucked up part is that many of us are able to take that step back, and identify the problem, but refuse to address it. I for one choose not to. Like my common fellow American, I am just waiting to be enlightened to the evil of my ways. I do understand that if an alcoholic won't ask for help until they feel that they need it (not because people they care about tell them so), than I too will not change until my situation dictates that I do. And I know that I speak for many in this regard. It seems that perhaps our constant search for more meaning is being disguised by our surroundings, and as we can't see the forest through the trees, what we are really looking for is right here within ourselves.

I think we are advanced.... it's hard to say about the mature though, i guess we're somewhat more mature. Cause we act less mature in some ways, like back in the medieval days everybody was so proper. but i think our beliefs and views on things are more mature

I dont say this to just argue, but the definition of "Mature" is pretty vague. If its means that a mature society will treat its citizens with dignity and respect then we are well on our way in many countries. Governments exist much like crocidiles. They watch over their young (the people) and perpetuate their own existance. Thats one of the reasons you only see governments grow in size and intrusiveness into their peoples lives. It takes violent revolution to start the clock back at the beginning. Also like crocs, the governments will defend themselves and what they percieve as their territory with their brutal force.

Enough of an animal analogy. People are inherintly a product of their environments. We are evolved, but we are still driven by passions. The direction those passions take come from the culture they live in, parents, religion and education.

We are not individuals as much as we wish we were. We are a communal society and there are natural leaders who know how to push our buttons and get us to react a certain way. Sure we may rebel against who our current boss/governer/president is, but there is someone we will follow - thats the person who knows the buttons to push. With these buttons and a lack of education we can be led to believe anything (ask a suicide bomber).

With all that being said - we also have nothing to compare ourselves to. There are no other self aware spicies on the planet so we are about as mature as it gets. So back to the original point, what defines mature and who gets to set the bar?

That was a really good metafor :)

It explains our societies perfectly (almost)

Yogs, you are right on the money. I agree.. but I still maintain my position. We are indeed the only self-aware species on the planet, but perhaps we are less mature than many species of animals, even if they do not intend to be mature. At least they are not guilty of sin, and getting distracted from what they are “supposed” to do. They survive. That is the basic driving force of any living being. By constructing the world we live in, our society, we have removed ourselves from face-to-face contact with the principle of survival. What we live for seems to be dictated by the beat of an altogether different drummer. But, beneath all the capitalistic bullshit, it is one and the same. So, the re-addressed question in my mind seems to be are we more, or less, mature, for how we live, i.e. the system we have established for addressing our survival issues. Or am I comparing apples with oranges here?

As for who sets the bar, Moppie, you started this thread... “penny for your thoughts?”

*DVS clears throat and steps to podium*


Some very good words spoken here. I would like to add a few things also. Society in general, be it as it may, goes to those savy enough to know how to manipulate it. Everywhere you look, it comes down to money, power, and what should be respect is going to be replaced with authority. You see, those who object to the populous are seen as thorns that need to be clipped. All too often we hear about how things should be and how it can never happen here, only to eat those words right up when it does. Sept. 11 was a thought that was unfathomable(spell check), yet it happened.

Society has a way of dictating all too often how one should live their lives. If you don't do it this way, you're looked down upon. You can go ahead and deny it, it's true. The fact of the matter is, no matter how "mature" we perceive ourselves to be, it will change depending on who goes ahead to change it. Materialism has taken over in a society where people live their lives to prove their status. I own a mansion, 8 cars, etc, etc. Those less fortunate could care less because they are just trying to make sure the rent is paid and there is food on the table.

So how do you make a standard or an ideology of what level of maturity we have acheived, when, it's proven that all it takes is a simple trend to change that. Look at how the market is now. It is believed that an average 15yr old, with moderate computer skills can make a dot com company, rake it for what it's worth, then sell it. You now have still, a child, with more money than he knows how to deal with. It only brings something into the equation that he will never grasp. As a child, all he is now thinking of is what he can buy. I want this and that. Whatever happened to the thinking, what college am I going to? What do I want to become as an adult?

Nowadays it's all about "materialism" and how much you can accumulate in the smallest amount of time. I know many of you may not agree with me, but the truth is out there, how much of it you choose to believe is up to you. That in the end, will determine your maturity.

*Steps off of podium, drinks water*

*Bows for applause*

Apperently your speach and waiting for applause caused the crickets to chirp and people to go away. But I gave my opinion and I've not read anything yet that has me adjusting it. Although it seems a matter of symantics now.

Originally posted by YogsVR4
Apperently your speach and waiting for applause caused the crickets to chirp and people to go away.

LOL hahahahaah :hehehe: :D burn

yogs you're pretty stubborn.... but i usually agree with all your opinions