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them and us

them and us

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The word/concept 'them' is the cause of all conflict. Without the word
'them' who would we hate/fight? ....'us'?

Do you think there was ever a time or culture/language that did not have a 'them' word or concept? Do you agree that it would have been a peaceful place?

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Originally posted by twiceaknight
The word/concept 'them' is the cause of all conflict. Without the word
'them' who would we hate/fight? ....'us'?

Do you think there was ever a time or culture/language that did not have a 'them' word or concept? Do you agree that it would have been a peaceful place?
Even in the most pristine place man walked on the earth -- the Garden of Eden -- there was a concept of the "other," i.e., the Serpent. Without conflict what's the point of getting out of bed? Some of the greatest inventions, social advances and political developments have come about because of war.

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Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter
Even in the most pristine place man walked on the earth -- the Garden of Eden -- there was a concept of the "other," i.e., the Serpent. Without conflict what's the point of getting out of bed? Some of the greatest inventions, social advances and political developments have come about because of war.
I see your point, but we will never know what we might have descovered or developed if we had worked together and all helped each other. There would be a lot of people around now though.....

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Sorry, human beings aren't capable of cooperation. Like the great agent Smith said(ironic, huh?), we as humans define our existence through misery and suffering. I cannot see a future where humanity can cooperate and live in peace.

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what are you people talking about?
people co-operate all the time.
hell, i co-operated with someone yesterday.

jeeze.

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what did you co-operate? a crane? a blender for margueritas?

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Originally posted by Zahlanzi
Sorry, human beings aren't capable of cooperation. Like the great agent Smith said(ironic, huh?), we as humans define our existence through misery and suffering. I cannot see a future where humanity can cooperate and live in peace.
Well maybe it's about time we all cheered up, held hands and loved each other unconditionally. aaaaaaaaahh😀

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Originally posted by twiceaknight
The word/concept 'them' is the cause of all conflict. Without the word
'them' who would we hate/fight? ....'us'?

Do you think there was ever a time or culture/language that did not have a 'them' word or concept? Do you agree that it would have been a peaceful place?
Humans are at their core social beings; the need for intimacy creates the "them" dynamic because it is first us. It may be unavoidable due to the humanbeings need for oneness through intimacy. It gets into all sorts of instincual hierarchy needs relative to importance, rank and power.

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Originally posted by spiritmangr8ness
Humans are at their core social beings; the need for intimacy creates the "them" dynamic because it is first us. It may be unavoidable due to the humanbeings need for oneness through intimacy. It gets into all sorts of instincual hierarchy needs relative to importance, rank and power.
Actually I think the concept 'them' comes from our instintive need to clarify and establish our identity as individuals and as a group to ourselves and others. ie. We know who 'we' are.....we are not 'them'.


Is that roughly what you meant?

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Originally posted by twiceaknight
The word/concept 'them' is the cause of all conflict. Without the word
'them' who would we hate/fight? ....'us'?

Do you think there was ever a time or culture/language that did not have a 'them' word or concept? Do you agree that it would have been a peaceful place?
On some islands "they" are called "Others"...