Human Cruelty

[Hussein]

There aren't strong enough repercussions from authority figures for cruelty. Whether it's physical violence or just crass behavior. People act like an ass because they can get away with it.

I don't just mean police, I mean ALL authority figures. It starts with the parents. It includes teachers, police, and many others. It includes the common passerby that witnesses the act. Maybe they can't intervene, but they can certainly report it. Women in major cities are taught to yell "FIRE!!!" instead of "RAPE!" because people will come look at a fire out of curiosity. But, they may ignore cries for help to avoid getting involved in trouble.

We all help create the world we live in. If you don't want someone to be able to beat up another, and crap on their face, then get the police to arrest him and charge him with assault. There needs to be REAL repercussions for cruel behavior, or it WILL be repeated.

When you say women are taught to say fire instead of rape, i agree with u at the same time and disagree, sometimes people actually help each other but we dont show it we ARE ALL CRUEL.

[imnothere]

while i agree with the points you are making Rodri, i cant agree with your conclusion. if the world is indeed spiraling down to its own fiery end, and i cant deny that it isnt, shouldnt we fight all the harder to slow the fall of man?
or like the "fans" who get up and leave in the 5th inning because their team is loosing and "its all over anyway" are you ready to walk out on humanity?

yes i see the problems rampant in "society" today but to me that just means those of us who do see, who can do something have a greater obligation to step up and take a stand against it.

[Moghedien]

It is not like this is a anomaly. There have been gangs and factions fighting since the beggining of humanity. I don't know what you mean by a regular fights. But there has always been bloody fights.

[Rodri]

Don't get me wrong, I would never personally turn a blind eye to violence, especially if it was against a woman or child, or bullying in the workplace by a group. I will continue to try to intervene in any non-violent way that I can to stop violence whenever I possibly can. I am a rather large person and even though I am tending towards overweight, I am still intimidating enough in my presence to scare off most bullies. In those situations where I feel I would also become a target of the violence, then I am prepared to report the matter to an authority such as the Police or the employer.

I just don't see any way to change the system from within any more through non-violent action as the system is the same group that controls Governments and media. As I am not an advocate of violent revolution, that has never been a viable option to me either.

I do believe there is a storm coming and much of the world will be destroyed by it. I hope and I urge all right thinking people to find shelter and develop the skills and networks that will be needed to survive until this storm is passed. I also hope we can rebuild from the ruins with an awareness of the mistakes made in the past and a strong resolution not to repeat them. I have no solutions to the bigger issues that are bringing the consumer society to an end, or at least none that the wider community seems prepared to listen to. The increased violent nature of society is symptomatic of larger problems as I have said.

I urge everyone to get educated in any way that you can. If you don't get it at school (as I never did) then do it for your self. Read as much as you can. Question everything that you are told and draw your own conclusions.

When it comes to violence, as a pacifist I feel I must say remove yourself from violent situations and avoid contact with people of a violent nature. There is no point putting yourself in harm's way unless you feel confident of a positive outcome.

[Moghedien]

Rodri there are going to be situations were you can't remove yourself from violent situations. If someone is going to try to rape me I'm going to blow there ****ing head off. If someone were to harm my family im going to blow there ****ing head off. Sometimes you can't reason with people and your pacifist reheteroric is not going to work in this world. As a pacifist would you let someone rape/kill your sister, daughter, etc stand by and do nothing when you could save them?

[Gnerphk]

Aye; I hate to agree with a point like the one Moghedien makes... but I'd like to propose an armed populace. Compulsory firearm ownership and training is, perhaps, a bit much... but let me tell you - there are places in this country (USA) where the cry of "Rape!" will get a dozen people running in, hoping for a chance to shoot someone and save the expense of imprisoning them.

As to why violence seems to be increasing... studies have been done on rats in captivity. Once population density passes a certain critical point, mutually destructive behavior becomes the standard.

Don't get me wrong; I'm a pacifist in practice. In principle, that's just because I don't believe ineffective violence solves problems, and effective violence is almost always illegal and/or excessive.

[Moghedien]

What I said may have been harsh. I haave nothing against trying to live a life of non violence. It is very admirable but i believe there is a time when you may have to put aside those pratices to save someone.

[Fallbreeze]

I think the whole 'regular fights' that the OP was referring to was the type where just knocking a person unconscious ended the fight. Now, it's not only render the person unconscious, but damage them as much as possible, and humiliate them still further. Somehow, the stereotype of 'tough' changed from just showing you can beat someone, to showing just how cruel you can be while beating someone. It's not only on the physical level, but on every level.

Education and everything would alleviate some of it, but I think there's also some of it that was learned straight from parents, too. It could be just watching and emulating something a parent or adult does to someone else, or to that person themselves. Nothing teaches cruelty to others better than being treated to cruelty firsthand.

[imnothere]

no i back Rodri 100% in a pacifistic view. i am incapable of violence. (no dont ask just trust me on this, incapable not just unwilling not just against it) i have seen violence started to 'protect' me and i've stopped it. i believe in a power greater then violence and that power has always kept me safe. you could ask me what it is, and i would tell you, but you wouldnt believe me. you would say "thats bull there is no way that could protect anyone" but its true. i've walked dark dangerous allies at night unharmed, i've had my personal information passed out to people who wouldnt hesitate to kill me given 1/10th of a chance just to cause someone i know pain.
and all this i have survived unharmed, untouched even.

no, to all those who say living a pacifistic life is only for dreamers and idealists i say "i'm glad i never woke up"

[Hussein]

Rodri there are going to be situations were you can't remove yourself from violent situations. If someone is going to try to rape me I'm going to blow there ****ing head off. If someone were to harm my family im going to blow there ****ing head off. Sometimes you can't reason with people and your pacifist reheteroric is not going to work in this world. As a pacifist would you let someone rape/kill your sister, daughter, etc stand by and do nothing when you could save them?

no matter what u do i am incapable of hurting another human bein in a way u my lady are just perfect =]