19 Jun 18
Originally posted by @fmfHow safe a person (like a lone woman or child) is from harm should they decide to wander off alone is a good indicator.
What is your 'test of civilization'?
There could many appropriate 'tests' - indicators, practices, standards - of course.
Suggest just one.
If women are constantly looking over their shoulder for fear of being attacked, it's not that civilized of a society. If a woman or child could go out at any time of day or night with zero fear or likelihood of being harmed by another person, that is a very civilized society.
How to get to that point is the question.
19 Jun 18
Originally posted by @vivifyThumbs up.
How safe a person (like a lone woman or child) is from harm should they decide to wander off alone is a good indicator.
If women are constantly looking over their shoulder for fear of being attacked, it's not that civilized of a society. If a woman or child could go out at any time of day or night with zero fear or likelihood of being harmed by another person, that is a very civilized society.
How to get to that point is the question.
19 Jun 18
Originally posted by @chaney3In fact, I think I misread it the first time I saw it, and wouldn't have realized unless you 2 had that exchange.
Good thing you edited your post, for I was about to school you a little bit. 🙂
When I first read it, I took it to mean the poor and needy would be physically removed. Forcibly.
LOL
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19 Jun 18
Originally posted by @fmfThe existence of healthy institutions that achieve a globally significant net reduction in the exploitation of sentient creatures, including humans?
What is your 'test of civilization'?
There could many appropriate 'tests' - indicators, practices, standards - of course.
Suggest just one.
19 Jun 18
Originally posted by @js357Indeed. I will be a bit more specific than you and a bit less specific than vivify, although I agree with you both.
The existence of healthy institutions that achieve a globally significant net reduction in the exploitation of sentient creatures, including humans?
I suggest that my entirely subjective 'test of civilization' would be the improved status and security of women, not just in theory, but in visible practice and on a very real and pragmatic level.
This would be reflected in things like their equality before the law and within political mechanisms, low levels of domestic violence, access to contraception and reproductive health services, more participation/ influence/ power in terms of decision making especially regarding things like health and education that apply very pointedly to homemaking and child-raising roles that they might have, as well as in terms of economic activity and property rights. Other relevant stuff too.
As I said, there could many appropriate 'tests of civilization' - indicators, practices, standards - of course, and none oi them need to stand alone. But I'll throw the above dollop of things into the pot.
19 Jun 18
Originally posted by @fmf'A country is only truly civilized when it produces quality coffee at a reasonable price.'
What is your 'test of civilization'?
There could many appropriate 'tests' - indicators, practices, standards - of course.
Suggest just one.
Anon.
Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeI'd have thought that one test of 'Coffee-Civilization' would be a society that pays poor people elsewhere as mathematically as little as possible for the good coffee they produce and that then charges rich people as mathematically as much as possible to drink it. See also: "free market", "invisible hand", "investor-friendly countries", "the invisible coffee spoon"
'A country is only truly civilized when it produces quality coffee at a reasonable price.'
Anon.
19 Jun 18
Originally posted by @fmfYour words sir cause me great befuddlement. (I suspect due to the lack of coffee in my system).
I'd have thought that one test of 'Coffee-Civilization' would be a society that pays poor people elsewhere as mathematically as little as possible for the good coffee they produce and that then charges rich people as mathematically as much as possible to drink it. See also: "free market", "invisible hand", "investor-friendly countries", "the invisible coffee spoon"
Perhaps it is 'competition' that keeps things reasonable in a successful society. Perhaps the 'test of a civilization' is being able to say 'no thanks' and going down the road to purchase a cheaper alternative.
Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeThe 'violence of poverty' is so often working on the rich buyer's behalf! 😉
Perhaps it is 'competition' that keeps things reasonable in a successful society. Perhaps the 'test of a civilization' is being able to say 'no thanks' and going down the road to purchase a cheaper alternative.
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19 Jun 18
Originally posted by @fmfMore than adequate care for the elderly.
What is your 'test of civilization'?
There could many appropriate 'tests' - indicators, practices, standards - of course.
Suggest just one.