IT'S JUST A RIDE...

[Manji187]

Spoiler: The Words

The world is like a ride in an amusement park, and when you choose to go on it you think it's real because that's how powerful our minds are. The ride goes up and down, around and around, it has thrills and chills, and it's very brightly colored, and it's very loud, and it's fun for a while. Many people have been on the ride a long time, and they begin to wonder, "Hey, is this real, or is this just a ride?" And other people have remembered, and they come back to us and say, "Hey, don't worry; don't be afraid, ever. Because this is just a ride." And we...kill those people. "Shut him up! I've got a lot invested in this ride, shut him up! Look at my furrows of worry, look at my big bank account, and my family. This has to be real." It's just a ride. But we always kill the good guys who try and tell us that, you ever notice that? And let the demons run amok? But it doesn't matter, because it's just a ride. And we can change it any time we want. It's only a choice. No effort, not work, no job, no savings of money. Just a simple choice, right now, between fear and love. The eyes of fear want you to put bigger locks on your doors, buy guns, close yourself off. The eyes of love instead see all of us as one. Here's what we can do to change the world, right now, to a better ride. Take all that money we spend on weapons and defenses each year and instead spend it feeding and clothing and educating the poor of the world, which it would pay for many times over, not one human being excluded, and we could explore space, together, both inner and outer, forever, in peace.

Truer words have seldom been spoken.

Especially the last part...on the money spent on weapons and defenses.

Think about it...all that money spent...annually...globally. We (Humanity) could've cured cancer ten times over prolly...We could have fed, clothed, housed and educated billions. We could have done so much good...objectively...and not just for a select few. What kind of people work for companies like General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Gruman...and their counterparts in other countries? What kind of ethics/ morality do they employ?

Here's my undiluted OPINION on the matter (and you can hate me for it all you want..I don't care):

These people can talk patriotism and love for one's own country all they want...they are mentally ill. Their conscience does not function properly. They can for the rest be regular people...with school-going kids...and bills to pay. But somehow they manage to shut off their conscience when they go to work...not thinking about what it is they are really doing...especially WHAT KIND OF WORLD THEY ARE UPHOLDING AND PROMOTING.

I hope that someday...no one will be willing to work for such companies...regardless of the benefits. I hope that the people currently working there come to their senses and that future generations avoid such institutions like the plague.

EDIT: I do not fear the banhammer...these are my deep-seated convictions.

 

[DirtyMagic]

I actually have a part of this on my Facebook page in my profile.
It's a wonderful speech and it sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it.

Damn shame he's no longer with us.

 

[Aris Khandr]

Here's the way the world works, though. If we don't spend money on weapons and defense, we'll be conquered by those who do. Seriously, go fire up a copy of Civilization, and just don't build any armies. Your populations will revolt, and you'll have foreign nations stomping all over you like a spider in a mosh pit. That's reality.

 

[Cowabungaa]

Here's the way the world works, though. If we don't spend money on weapons and defense, we'll be conquered by those who do. Seriously, go fire up a copy of Civilization, and just don't build any armies. Your populations will revolt, and you'll have foreign nations stomping all over you like a spider in a mosh pit. That's reality.

Not if every nation would not do it, which is this guy's point.

And yes, it sounds brilliant, and yes he's right, but alas humans as critters are simply not hardwired to be like that.

Honestly, I'm still proposing my ideal middle road; yes we'll have armies, but they'll be consisted of the hottest babes and hunks (can't alienate chicks and gays right?) of every country, and wars will be fought by having lube wrestling (because mud clouds the view too much) matches. Oh sure, the world will be in a constant state of war, but heej, it's a win-win situation.

 

[DirtyMagic]

Honestly, I'm still proposing my ideal middle road; yes we'll have armies, but they'll be consisted of the hottest babes and hunks (can't alienate chicks and gays right?) of every country, and wars will be fought by having lube wrestling (because mud clouds the view too much) matches. Oh sure, the world will be in a constant state of war, but heej, it's a win-win situation.

Can you become president of the world now? Please?
I SWEAR it's a fun job! And there will be cookies!

 

[HerbertTheHamster]

Weapons and defenses allowed for most of our technology, where the fuck do you think computers come from? Rockets?

ffs people

 

[Manji187]

Weapons and defenses allowed for most of our technology, where the fuck do you think computers come from? Rockets?

ffs people

And the only way you can imagine technology development is as a trickle down effect from weapons/ defense R&D?

Just cuz something is done in a certain way does not make it the only way (no alternatives) nor, in many cases, the best way.

 

[AwesomeFerret]

Why is it that people, when faced with a topic like this, are so quick to talk about "the real world" like it's some sort of definite thing that is unchangeable and unstoppable, unlimited in it's power, like we are unable to resist it- as if it is the only opinion or way that matters. People seem to forget that we are the real world, that it is up to us to decide. We aren't forced to follow this apparent status quo of being a violent, greedy and selfish race we seemed to have become obsessed with the pessimistic view of being. If everyone pretended the floor was made of lava, then it in effect would be, as no one would believe it could possible ever be something else. So don't let it simply pass by as "oh thats the way we think things are so they can never change". Be the real world. The world isn't a separate entity, it is made up entirely of the people within in it, and if people change their mind, so does the world, because they are one and the same.

Please forgive me for my possible over usage of bold text.

 

[HerbertTheHamster]

Weapons and defenses allowed for most of our technology, where the fuck do you think computers come from? Rockets?

ffs people

And the only way you can imagine technology development is as a trickle down effect from weapons/ defense R&D?

Just cuz something is done in a certain way does not make it the only way (no alternatives) nor, in many cases, the best way.

War is a very efficient way of motivating research

 

[trooperpaul]

Here's the way the world works, though. If we don't spend money on weapons and defense, we'll be conquered by those who do. Seriously, go fire up a copy of Civilization, and just don't build any armies. Your populations will revolt, and you'll have foreign nations stomping all over you like a spider in a mosh pit. That's reality.

I accept your challenge!
Or, I already beat Civ 3+5 without building a single military unit.
I'm working on 4, don't own 1, and Alpha Centauri is disqualified for reasons of being in spaaaaace.
Take that Gandhi!

 

[ZehMadScientist]

This is what should be done, but it is idealistic. The need to defend oneself is part of human nature, a flaw so to speak. The people who do not have this flaw are in the severe minority, and no matter how much we desire for peace, the future will always be stained with hunger for power and the fear of it.

Just my thoughts

 

[Manji187]

Weapons and defenses allowed for most of our technology, where the fuck do you think computers come from? Rockets?

ffs people

And the only way you can imagine technology development is as a trickle down effect from weapons/ defense R&D?

Just cuz something is done in a certain way does not make it the only way (no alternatives) nor, in many cases, the best way.

War is a very efficient way of motivating research

Hmm...so why not start World War 3 and marvel at our subsequent ingenuity...if we survive that is.

 

[Manji187]

This is what should be done, but it is idealistic. The need to defend oneself is part of human nature, a flaw so to speak. The people who do not have this flaw are in the severe minority, and no matter how much we desire for peace, the future will always be stained with hunger for power and the fear of it.

Just my thoughts

"Always" is a very long time. Are you saying this is something humanity will NEVER transcend?

 

[Aris Khandr]

Why is it that people, when faced with a topic like this, are so quick to talk about "the real world" like it's some sort of definite thing that is unchangeable and unstoppable, unlimited in it's power, like we are unable to resist it- as if it is the only opinion or way that matters. People seem to forget that we are the real world, that it is up to us to decide. We aren't forced to follow this apparent status quo of being a violent, greedy and selfish race we seemed to have become obsessed with the pessimistic view of being. If everyone pretended the floor was made of lava, then it in effect would be, as no one would believe it could possible ever be something else. So don't let it simply pass by as "oh thats the way we think things are so they can never change". Be the real world. The world isn't a separate entity, it is made up entirely of the people within in it, and if people change their mind, so does the world, because they are one and the same.

Please forgive me for my possible over usage of bold text.

Because no matter how "enlightened" and "above that" we are, that won't actually help us when other people aren't "above that". Go take a look at North and South Korea. If South Korea decided that, you know what, those North Korean guys aren't so bad, so let's take down those gun towers and walls, and forget about that whole "no man's land" thing between our countries, do you know what would happen? Kimmy would be throwing a party as the ruler of the newly united Korea within days. And if Japan got the impression that having a military was really kind of a downer for everyone, they'd be the next stop on his tour of the Pacific.

High ideals are fine, but only if everyone else has them too. And it is very, very obvious that quite a few people in the world do not have them.

 

[garjian]

it only takes 1 person with an opposing view to destroy that utopia.
having no defences means that, as soon as anyone disagrees, you have no chance of resisting that threat. opposition creates weapons, creates armour, creates better weapons, creates better armour, creates guns, creates bombs, creates any and all means of war we have today and further... and all it takes is one disagreeing with another.

its a lovely idea that many people have had... but all humans cannot live in peace as we do not all agree, and if we did, we wouldnt be human even in our own eyes... just robots that all believe the same things... lacking free will.

additionally, its not starving people that causes the wars that we require defences for. IIRC, a certain osama bin laden was originally angry with the way the rich in saudi arabia acted... i might not be right on the money there, but im close enough. a specific opinion of 1 specific person, that in one way or another lead to war and the deaths of however many... and in a world with no defences, any opinion of a person capable could achieve the exact same thing.

on a smaller scale... with no way to enforce the law, i could murder the people i didnt like at school, but it doesnt matter because the policemans wage is now given to the dinner ladies, and that makes it all better.

im certain almost none of that makes sense anyway... im very tired :/ blah.

 

[ZehMadScientist]

This is what should be done, but it is idealistic. The need to defend oneself is part of human nature, a flaw so to speak. The people who do not have this flaw are in the severe minority, and no matter how much we desire for peace, the future will always be stained with hunger for power and the fear of it.

Just my thoughts

"Always" is a very long time. Are you saying this is something humanity will NEVER transcend?

To some degree, yes always.


But I see your point, "Always" may be a bit too large of a scope for the current state of affairs, but I'm pretty damn sure that this won't happen in the near future.

 

[Wierdguy]

Life sucks and then you die. Thats basically it. There will never be a world at peace, there will never be a time when the military and weapons become obsolete, there will never be a time when all humans are viewed as one, there will never be a time when all humas are equal, there will never be a time when people stop thinking about themselves and start to think only of others, and there will never be a time when the world is turned into a paradise.
Why? Because we humans are, by nature, selfish. We think of ourselves and our own profit first and foremost. Even those who help others do it because it makes them feel good about themselves. They do it out of empathy and compassion - but they also do it because if they dont theyll hate themselves and thus they take care of themselves before anyone else, just as the one who doesnt help anyone.

What Im saying is; The world is shit, humans are shit, everything is shit. You do what you can to get by in a world that will crush you like an ant the minuet you let it.

 

[Kpt._Rob]

Here's the way the world works, though. If we don't spend money on weapons and defense, we'll be conquered by those who do. Seriously, go fire up a copy of Civilization, and just don't build any armies. Your populations will revolt, and you'll have foreign nations stomping all over you like a spider in a mosh pit. That's reality.

But that doesn't matter, it's just a ride. Hicks here, whether he has any knowledge of Taoism or not, is kind of getting at one of the core components of the Taoist philosophy spelled out by Lao Tzu. You're not the only person here who says something along the lines of "yeah, it'd be nice if it worked that way" or "well, yeah, if everyone did it, sure... but they won't." But people who say that are missing the point. Hicks is saying that this is all a story to start with. Whether we live or die today or tomorrow is only of importance in a subjective sense. It's only important in the context of the story.

So, if you accept that, then you have to make a choice. Do I approach the story with love or fear? In the end, the result is the same. I'm going to die. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day. So, how am I going to tell the story between now, and my inevitable end? Am I going to tell it with love, or with fear? Will I accept the inevitable, and choose to love, or run and live the only years I have in fear?

To quote the Tao

Fill your bowl to the brim,
And it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife,
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security,
And your heart will never unclench.
Care about people's approval,
And you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.

You can disagree with that philosophy, but if you think that saying "well, that'd be nice, but the world doesn't work like that," is a counterargument, then you've missed the core of what Hicks has to say.

 

[Aris Khandr]

I choose to love the people that matter, and the rest can bugger right off.