How can we recognize fake news?

Steve3007 · Post by **Steve3007** » April 2nd, 2017, 3:44 am

Eaglerising:

You've mentioned examples of human death by war and disease. Are you suggesting that there is something different about that situation now compared to some time in the past? You seem to be suggesting that deaths from these causes are increasing. Statistical evidence appears to show that the opposite is true for both war and disease.

Why do you think the global human population of the Earth has reached 7.5 billion in the first place?

Jklint · Post by **Jklint** » April 2nd, 2017, 4:51 am

Greta wrote: Note that soon after the black death in Europe was over the survivors flourished in a way they never could in the pre-plague crowds and chaos, including greater creativity and innovation.

...Reality is madly brutal but it somehow manages to produce ever greater wonders.

That is true, but it was still a mostly European event for which humans were not responsible. Nothing else in the world really changed. One reason survivors flourished, beyond political reasons, was that nature itself continued as it always had, in fact became more supportive in the years following the plague from what I recall. The current situation is much more deadly in ways most people understand. What seems less understood is that we're hardly less vulnerable now than we were back in the 14th century and that technology is not going to level the playing field. The brutal reality is that we are knowingly creating the monster that's going to defeat us. All catastrophes both human and natural so far have been temporary and periods that followed were catalysts for creativity. But if a destructive process as global as one happening now continues without intermission to deteriorate the madly brutal reality will be that no greater wonders will follow never having managed a real detente with nature.

Eduk · Post by **Eduk** » April 2nd, 2017, 6:35 am

Humans are pretty complex. Capable of so much and so little, often the same human. I wouldn't underestimate what 7ish billion people working together could achieve. Everyone is being very vague about whatever destructive process they are talking about actually is. Presumably because they have no idea and are just making stuff up.

Eaglerising · Post by **Eaglerising** » April 2nd, 2017, 6:49 am

Although it may appear that we are being vague, we are not. A good example of this is what has taken place in US politics in the past 6 months. No one could have imagined all that occurred. Although people realized there would be change, they see what that change would look like and how it would affect them. Thus, both the new administration and the public were in the same boat.

An election is minor compared to the loss of 6 billion people. The human brain cannot possibly comprehend all that is involved or what it will look like. Try imagining what it would be like to have hundreds of factors nteracting together resulting in the demise of 6 billion people.

Eduk · Post by **Eduk** » April 2nd, 2017, 8:17 am

Not hard to imagine at all. Worse people than Trump have come to democratic power in the past. And probably will in the future.

Eaglerising · Post by **Eaglerising** » April 2nd, 2017, 8:55 am

Congratulations, I unable to do that. Likewise, I was unable to imagine the events that have unfolded in politics this past year. People cannot ACCURATELY imagine what their life will be like if they win the Lotto. People have a hard time accurately seeing what their marriage will be like. If they were able to, they wouldn't get married.

Anyone who can accurately foresee how the demise of 6 billion people will be a very rich person. Apparently you are going to be a very rich man.

-- Updated April 2nd, 2017, 8:26 am to add the following --

And if you sincerely care about people, it will devastate you.

Steve3007 · Post by **Steve3007** » April 2nd, 2017, 3:53 pm

Sounds like it's definitely going to be 6 billion. That'll leave over a billion. More than enough.

-1- · Post by **-1-** » April 3rd, 2017, 2:48 am

People can't possibly imagine how many people a billion people are. If they knew how to have a concept of a billion people accurately, then they would stop producing children immediately. Or elevate mass murder to the position of an honourable and wise act.

Surreptitious57 · Post by **Surreptitious57** » April 3rd, 2017, 3:16 am

There is zero correlation between an ability to perceive a billion and the refusal to propagate the species
A billion is not all that hard to perceive as it is a common term so that also invalidates your non sequitur
The reason for refusing to propagate the species even further would be ethical rather than mathematical

-1- · Post by **-1-** » April 3rd, 2017, 3:41 am

Your mind is like a parachute: if it's constantly open, you can't really function in life and you will be constantly hindered by it.

It's best to have your mind closed for most of the time, and open it just a little of the time. Especially after jumping out of a high-flying airplane.

Surreptitious57 · Post by **Surreptitious57** » April 3rd, 2017, 5:03 am

Interesting how you choose to focus on my signature [ something you did at the other place ] and conveniently ignore the flaws
in your reasoning Number One. Still it is nice to be re acquainted with you. Despite your tendency to be illogical at times I quite
like debating with you. So hope you do not vacate this place as quickly as you did the last one. Try and stay this time if you can