In the history of humankind, man has always been divided along 3
major lines.
1) Wealth and Status
2) Political systems and States
3) Race and Religion
1) Wealth and Status.
Clear examples would be caste systems ( aristocrats > clergy
> commoners etc), exclusive institutions (private health care,
expensive schools, clubs), social groups (millionaires, socialites,
car-owners, elites in SG etc).
2) Political Systems and States
This is easy to see. We have communists, socialists,
republicans, democrats, libertarians, etc. We have Russians,
Chinese, Iraqis, Armenians, New Zealands, etc. Results in things
like Cold War, Vietnam War, Korean War; where opposing parties are
socially, culturally and historically similar but separated by
"countries" or "political systems"
3) race and religion
Not much to elaborate on. Results in things like the Christian
crusades of the Middle ages, Nazi purging on Jews, even Muslims
killing Muslims ( sunni vs shia in middle east), racial riots in
Singapore in the 50s etc.
My hypothesis: Men cannot survive as long as there exist any
differences within them. I don't know how man can eliminate all
these social constructions that divide us, but we have to do it
(Heck it's not enough to be blind to skin colour, trust me men will
still find faults with each other; we must all have the same skin
colour but it seems impossible?). I believe only a utopian
socialistic world build on common interests, universal brotherhood
and scientific advancement will survive into the 22nd century.
The major challenges facing Man, which requires us to band
together to solve:
1) population explosion. The earth cannot support the 9 billion
projected population that will be reached by 2050.
2) extensive ecological damage. Endangered species, formation of
growing dead zones in the oceans where nothing can survive because
overfishing has destroyed the food chain, etc.
3) climate change
4) world hunger. 750 million go hungry everyday. Doesn't include
the millions whose families get by with just a few dollars a
day.
5) depletion of natural resources
Will we do it? I think man will never learn; will never give up
his god, his car, his human rights, his country, his family, his
money. I predict at least a major war by the end of my life.
