What are the important things in the world?

[Mafoobula]

PETA's game about the tanuki suit in Mario isn't important. Justin Bieber's and Twilight's insane popularity aren't important. Whether or not we can play video games without dealing with draconian DRM isn't important. These are just a few of the little things that aren't that important. I'm sorry to say this, but some 95% of your concerns and mine fall under this category.
On a larger scale, it doesn't matter if one species of creatures or another goes completely extinct. Fact: This planet has seen no fewer than 4 mass extinctions, but it seems to be doing alright, considering. In that same thread of thought, it doesn't matter if we lose some forest and the planet heats up or cools, because Earth is pretty good at correcting itself. Fact: This planet started just like every other solid planet, as a giant ball of insanely hot rock, but it seems to be doing alright, considering.
On a somewhat in-between scale, how much does the "Occupy Everything" movement really matter? It's really nice for the USA, and maybe there are other countries having the same problem, but does it help the larger problems?

So what are the really important things? Are people in general getting dumber, or maybe, on an individual level, are they getting a little smarter? Yeah, we still have poverty and homelessness and starvation, but are we at least heading in the right direction on those?
War and intolerance abounds the world over, maybe that's something that's really important. Then again, it's hard to take that really broad topic without a clear cause, and call that the important thing. That's like the well-meaning pinheads who cry for global justice, without much indication of cause or solution to their just-as-vague problems. What does world peace peace and justice really look like, and how can we get it? More importantly, how do we keep it, AND keep everyone at least somewhat content?
Hey, curing diseases! I mean, they're being worked on, but I think people can throw more resources at the smart people working on the cures. Taking away the lethality of a couple strains of cancer is pretty huge, I think.

I'm sorry to pose this incredibly vague question without much hope for clarification, but it's a concern that's been bothering me for a while. I'm a bright person, but this is quite simply beyond me. If anyone here can make sense of this, you are surely a better, smarter person than I, and I pro-actively tip my hat to you.

 

[EpicEps]

My point of view is about the importance of the world is kinda dark. There is nothing important, at least not in the sense that you're talking about. What everyone seems to forget is that we, as the human race, as homo sapiens, are just another species on the planet. One out of countless other life forms on Earth alone. We over exaggerate our importance in the scheme of things, and this inflated ego makes us think that we are the pinnacle of life on Earth. Yes, we have made incredible leaps and bounds in technology over other life forms, but look at all the hate and self righteousness that was brought with it. There's so much anger and hate. To obtain world peace, ideally, would to have everyone realize that they are not the center of the universe. That no matter how much we know, no matter how much we do, no matter how much others say so, we are no more important than any other species on this Earth.

Of course, this is not an easy task. I constantly have a rather inflated ego about my importance and about how much better I am than everyone else. But that seems to have become part of human nature. So if this character flaw, that affects almost everyone on the Earth, is what has to be taken into account for world peace, then everyone else needs to learn to accept that everyone believes that they are the superior ones. Accept that, and let it go, and mind your own business.

 

[Anarchemitis]

If Christianity is correct then it's possible that we live forever through our immortal souls, and as a consequence, every single human being is more important than any aspect or object in the entire Universe.

 

[dead.juice]

I'll tell you all what's important in life:
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

 

[Loop Stricken]

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!

Also love, but mostly crushing lamentation.

I'll tell you all what's important in life:
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

well, damn.

 

[BishopofAges]

I'll tell you all what's important:
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

I believe he asked 'what is important?' not 'what is best in life?' However I am inclined to believe you, as my for own perspective, I do not read much worldly news or national political news unless it directly effects me. I believe in my own world, as small as it is, and I want it to be a happy place, this is what is important to me.

edit: I, just now, realized this is a really strange standpoint to post on the World Wide Web

 

[the spud]

Money and power

I don't think anything is really any more important than anything else, really. I don't have any religion or moral code, so there really isn't a whole lot to strive for. Just try to have fun while your here.

 

[dead.juice]

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!

Also love, but mostly crushing lamentation.

*Fist bumps Loop Stricken*

 

[Gloomsta]

The most important thing is happiness. Eveyrone wants it.

EDIT: And no one wants to be bored, so thats important.

 

[BlackStar42]

Important things for me? Love, friends, a good pub and a place to call home.

 

[Nimcha]

The beauty of being conscious is that you can decide for yourself what's important. Isn't that grand?

 

[Loop Stricken]

I'm sorry to pose this incredibly vague question without much hope for clarification, but it's a concern that's been bothering me for a while. I'm a bright person, but this is quite simply beyond me. If anyone here can make sense of this, you are surely a better, smarter person than I, and I pro-actively tip my hat to you.

The answers all really depend on where you're standing, though.

As a mortal man, food and shelter.
As a First World citizen; money for all my fancy entertainment. Also food and shelter but you tend not to think about those.
As a forward-thinking human; getting people to not be so self-centred that we doom ourselves on this rock - sooner or later it'll be consumed by fire and we really need to be off it by that time.

And then there's a massive gap when your perception shifts to the end of the Universe; nothing is important, everything is rendered ultimately pointless.

 

[Crazy]

The most important thing in the world is sex, whether you believe that or not is some other irrelevant matter. It gets more people in the world and an enjoyable experience.

 

[Gloomsta]

The most important thing in the world is sex, whether you believe that or not is some other irrelevant matter. It gets more people in the world and an enjoyable experience.

Thats just what people want because they believe it will make them happy.

That and natural instinct.

 

[Hero in a half shell]

I'll tell you all what's important in life:
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

Ahahahaha, I was NOT expecting to read that. Truly hilarious. After reading the OP's incredibly serious and philosophical point, and forming a deep and complex opinionated response in my own head, your response threw all that out the window.

I would say that as Christian I would see it as follows: Mans chief end in life is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.

But I understand most people probably won't care about that, so to them I would say the most important thing is humanity learning to be selfless. What is holding back our society the most is not our technological or intellectual limitations, it's our ability to put others first, to stop taking advantage of those in need if we can produce a profit from their suffering.

We see it most pronounced in the murderous dictators and leaders of third world countries, the greedy ultra-rich who hoard all their wealth, the faceless corporations who care more about the bottom line than their workers lives and comfort, and their products safety and usefulness, and the career politicians and bankers who avoid tough decisions with false solutions that only screw over future generations, but the time on that last one has finally run out as the bankrupt chickens are coming home to roost, and crapping all over the worlds economy.

If people would just treat everyone they have responsibility over like they would treat themselves, then there would be a lot less problems in the world.

 

[DarkRyter]

Fruit Loops.

Fruit loops are the most important thing in the world.

 

[Belaam]

Wine, Women, and Song.

Or to summarize;
Humanity

 

[dyre]

We've seen five mass extinctions actually, though I suppose "no fewer than four" is accurate. Depends on perspective. Occupy movements are important for people who want to encourage change in American politics. Rabbits are important for hungry foxes.

We're not out to better the Earth or follow some teleological master plan that involves using our time here to stop mass extinctions or w/e. We just get to do what we feel is important, whether it be to get rich or to take steps to spread the word of our God (or gods) or to make contributions to the field of our choice.

 

[MasochisticAvenger]

What's important is what you decide is important. As long as you can say, at the end of the day, that you have no regrets that's all that matters. It's why people who keep going "posting in a forum isn't worthwhile" or "going out and finding love is something you have to do to be considered a real man" really need to cram a sock in it. What is important to one person may not be important to another.