I'm currently re-reading a powerful and thought-provoking book called Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain, published in 1933, one of the most celebrated autobiographical books of the World War One era.
It is the author's memoirs over the years 1900 to 1925 covering her early years and upbringing, falling in love (with Roland Leighton), Oxford education, the outbreak of World War One and losing her fiancé (Leighton), beloved brother (Edward) and friend close friend (Victor) to the war, her time as an aid detachment nurse on the Western Front and various social issues and observations around the war and how it impacted upon the post-war era, the youth of the time, and the struggle women faced to establish themselves in a society that was barely tolerant of educated women.
Brittain (1893-1970), a feminist, nurse, Oxford-educated writer, pacifist, world-renowned public-speaker, wife and mother tells a captivating, sad and powerful story and, after her war-time experiences and losses which fundamentally changed her, campaigned against war for most of her life. Losing her fiancé Roland Leighton and her brother Edward devastated her and she honoured them by dedicating her life from then onwards to spreading her anti-war message.
There is a movie called Testament of Youth (2015) starring Alicia Vikander as Brittain, Kit Harington as Roland and Taron Egerton as Edward (plus other actors as well) and is well-worth a watch. It's powerful, sad and thought-provoking in its own right, but the book is the best place to start - both may possibly bring tears to your eyes.
As I've been reading the book (again) it's caused me to think about many things, has challenged long-held beliefs, confirmed some of them and has led me to think more deeply into yet others - it's the sort of book that makes a person feel and whilst that can be confronting it can also be enlightening. I'm not inclined to open up too much at all on those thoughts and feelings here, they're too personal, however I thought it might be an opportunity to pose a question to you folks.
I hear many comments about how humanity is moving in the 'right direction', that we're getting better than we once were and moving away from war towards a more peaceful existence. I don't believe that though. Sure, there's people out there doing some good here and there, maybe even you, but wars still occur, armed conflicts and everything in between on a large and small scale and I do not see it ceasing anytime soon. It's convenient to think we're headed in the right direction but for thousands of years there's been no progress, no cessation of conflict and wars...indeed, the only progress has been developing better ways to kill each other. So...where's the change?
I know many will disagree with me and that's ok, but taking a look around the world today, truly seeing the wars and armed conflicts that exist even as you read these words...Does that look like peace? I think not.
Below is a disturbingly long list of (some) of histories' wars and as someone who enjoys history I've studied many of them.
There's so many more conflicts that are not represented below; think, Viking raids and wars in Britain or the many Roman conflicts, inter-town/village wars, dictatorships and regimes that caused bloodshed - (Idi Amin, Uganda and the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia come to mind here) - Humans have a long history of conflict. And what if acts of terrorism were included in the list below, the World Trade Centre situation in 2001, Charlie Hebdo shooting in 2017, Boko Haram Uprising in 2009, Mogadishu Bombings of 2017, Pan Am flight 103 in 1988, Bali Bombings in 2002, and many, many others...not wars but conflicts nonetheless. Are humans are getting better and moving towards peace? Yeah, nope.
Trojan War (dates uncertain) - First Messenian War (c. 735–715 BCE) - Lelantine War (c.720–680 BCE; dates uncertain) - Second Messenian War (c. 660 BCE) - Greco-Persian Wars (492–449 BCE) - Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE) - Lamian War (323–322 BCE) - First Punic War (264–241 BCE) - Second Punic War (218–201 BCE) - Third Punic War (149–146 BCE) - Gallic Wars (58–50 BCE) - Jinshin-no-ran (672) - Norman Conquest (1066) - Crusades (1095–1291; sporadically thereafter) - Gempei War (1180–85) - Barons’ War (1264–67) - Hundred Years’ War (c. 1337–1453) - War of the Eight Saints (1375–78) - Hundred Years’ War (c. 1337–1453) - Thirteen Years’ War (1454–66) - Wars of the Roses (1455–85) - Ōnin War (1467–77) - Count’s War (1534–36) - Araucanian Wars (1541–58) - Livonian War (1558–83) - Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648) - War of the Three Henrys (1587–89) - Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648) - Kalmar War (1611–13) - Thirty Years’ War (1618–48) - Powhatan War (1622–44) - Bishops’ Wars (1639; 1640) - English Civil Wars (1642–51) - First Northern War (1655–60) - War of Devolution (1667–68) - King Philip’s War (1675–76) - War of the Grand Alliance (1689–97) - King William’s War (1689–97) - Second Northern War (1700–21) - War of the Spanish Succession (1701–14) - War of the Emboabas (1708–09) - Carnatic Wars (1746–48; 1749–54; 1758–63) - Queen Anne’s War (1702–13) - Yamasee War (1715–16) - War of the Polish Succession (1733–38) - War of Jenkins’ Ear (1739–48) - War of the Austrian Succession (1740–48) - King George’s War (1744–48) - French and Indian War (1754–63) - Silesian Wars (1740–42; 1744–45; 1756–62) - Seven Years’ War (1756–63) - Lord Dunmore’s War (1774) - Rohilla War (1774) - American Revolution (1775–83) - First Maratha War (1775–82) - War of the Bavarian Succession (1778–79) - Cape Frontier Wars (1779–1879) - French Revolution (1787–99) - French revolutionary wars (1792–1801) - Cape Frontier Wars (1779–1879) - War of the Oranges (1801) - Tripolitan War (1801–05) - Second Maratha War (1803–05) - Third Maratha War (1817–18) - Napoleonic Wars (1803–15) - Black War (1804–30) - Peninsular War (1808–14) - War of 1812 (1812–15) - Creek War (1813–14) - War of Greek Independence (1821–32) - Padri War (1821–37) - Naning War (1831–32) - Pastry War (1838–39) - Mexican-American War (1846–48) - Crimean War (1853–56) - Bleeding Kansas (1854–59) - American Civil War (1861–65) - War of the Triple Alliance (1864/65–70) - Seven Weeks’ War (1866) - Selangor Civil War (1867–73) - Franco-German War (1870–71) - Acehnese War (1873–1904) - Red River Indian War (1874–75) - Serbo - Turkish War (1876–78) - Anglo-Zulu War (1879) - War of the Pacific (1879–83) - Gun War (1880–81) - Sino - French War (1883–85) - Serbo-Bulgarian War (1885–86) - Sino-Japanese War (1894–95) - Spanish-American War (1898) - Philippine-American War (1899–1902) - The War of a Thousand Days (1899–1903) - Philippine-American War (1899–1902) - South African War (1899–1902) - The War of a Thousand Days (1899–1903) - Boxer - Rebellion (1900–01) - Moro Wars (1901–13) - Russo-Japanese War (1904–05) - Pig War (1906–09) - Mexican Revolution (1910–20) - Italo-Turkish War (1911–12) - World War I (1914–18) - Baltic War of Liberation (1918–20) - Russian Civil War (1918–20) - Russo-Polish War (1919–20) - Rif War (1921–26) - Chaco War (1932–35) - Italo-Ethiopian War (1935–36) - Spanish Civil War (1936–39) - Sino-Japanese War (1937–45) - Phony War (1939–40; no actual hostilities) - Russo-Finnish War (1939–40) - World War II (1939–45) - Greek Civil War (1944–45; 1946–49) - Arab-Israeli wars (1948–49; 1956; 1967; 1973; 1982) - Korean War (1950–53) - Algerian War (1954–62) - Vietnam War (1954–75) - Six-Day War (1967) - War of Attrition (1969–70) - Yom Kippur War (1973) - Dirty War (1976–83) - Afghan War (1978–92) - Iran-Iraq War (1980–88) - Falkland Islands War (1982) - Persian Gulf War (1990–91) 0 Bosnian conflict (1992–95) - Kosovo conflict (1998–99) - Eritrean–Ethiopian War (1998-2000) - Guinea-Bissau Civil War (1998-99) - Second Congo War (1998-2003) - Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen (1998-2022) - 1999 East Timorese crisis (1999-2005) - Second Liberian Civil War (1999-2003) - Second Chechen War (1999-2009) - Islamist insurgency in Iraqi Kurdistan (2001-2003) - War on terror (2001-2021) - Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines (2002-2015)
This second reading of Testament of Youth has been an incredibly moving experience, possibly because I'm reading it twenty years after I first read the book and I'm a different man now; I think and feel things differently - It's been an amazingly powerful force upon my senses, thoughts and emotions right down to my core. The movie, well I have a massive crush on Alicia Vikander (such a great actress) so I've seen it several times also, with the same effect; it's moved me. I know you folks may never read the book or may never see the movie, but I'm interested to hear any thoughts you may have on the subject matter in general.
Wars rage all around us right this moment and the path through history upon which humanity has travelled is paved with the detritus of war, bleached bones and death, destruction and devastation that has occurred from our earliest days right to this very day and I wonder what you think about our situation: War and [no] peace.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
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Image(s) in this post are my own
Wars/dates information from here
It's not looking like peace but each of us doing our little actions is a vote and a step towards it. Much of it is people also just don't get it. The war on the outside in society is a reflection of the war within ourselves. How can there be peace in the world when we can't even be at peace with ourselves as collectively, it makes a big mess aka 2020-2023...Well far longer but you know what i mean. like the avenged sevenfold song says, pray for peace but I'm ready for war. Will it ever happen? Who knows but if we lose hope and stop trying the answer will be definetly NO.
I hear you, but thousands of years of not finding alternative answers is compelling evidence that humans don't really want to find alternatives. Maybe you and I do, others also...maybe most.. but if those people don't have the ability to make it happen then wars will continue, as they have throughout history.
I wonder if a chess tournament would have been effective against the Nazis. I wonder how the Ukraine situation could have been dealt with, a badminton play off? And what about those fucken idiots in Israel and Palestine...been fighting for a long, long, time. Maybe an arm wrestle could have solved it...or an EMA bout. But no...war. Humans have a propensity for it, are good at it and I don't think enough could be done all at once to see an end to it, and end to it starting in the first place.
I hope wars never happen for many reasons, reading this book would make others think and say the same...but how many will read it? How many will seek the understanding? Not many...they're too busy on Facebook and showing their boobs on Instagram for money. Too busy playing video games...that are based on war. Too busy wanting more than they need. Too busy being greedy and selfish and thinking it'll never happen to me.
I know Big Bro G-Dog, ALL of humanity deserves one big EMA for various reason war is only a small portion of it and better believe what we live today is our collective karma for allowing a lot of things we shouldn't have and still do, this includes you and I and It's too big to explain to you on hive or the internet, and it's really messed up but everyone is asleep to it and refuses to believe it if told because it's that vile but also what I know correlates with a topic you don't like and is repelled by but not necessarily in a way they teach either. Just know there is something messed up going on and all humanity has to do is to wake up to it because if they did they would be so appalled.
To give a clue look at Hollywood and North-American music culture and the message they transcend and what they physically represent in their demon costumes isn't as far from the truth as most would like to think and you would be surprised who's part of it and how far they will go. It is a religion like any other that many believe and embody it's perceptions and spread it and everyone worships it with them subliminally. I have seen actual ritualistic things being done at concerts and all that crap just ppl's lack of understanding subject themselves unknowingly via content they consume. Everyone refuses to ignore but doesn't mean it doesn't exist. On other news tho...
Us having to witness all this war, what if that's the catalyst that makes everyone say fuck it this is disgusting why are we allowing it? Why are we acting like d-bags to one another? We are the many but it's not a good idea to throw stones when living in a glass house so that leaves to what I mentioned earlier, if you are at peace with yourself along with anyone else should be repulsed enough about the condition of the world to look at yourself and start being mindful on your actions and the words you spread in order to not make it worst. Hope that this is the catalyst that does it.
To first recognize what is wrong in our environment we have to figure out what makes us act out and that involves us looking at ourselves and resolving that. The problem is that all of us are sitting here waiting for a magic wand to wave all our problems for us without us having to take accountability for our own thoughts and what we consume /create...even so in personal conversations with our peers. I guess that can relate to the programing above. We raise the next generation in this because we are too busy having to work 80's a week to make ends meet than to parent proper values and be there. Which still leads back to the head of the same snake.
You or I are one person each and understand the understand things on a deeper level in different ways and knowing every step and every word said written has repercussions somewhere and use it in a wise way because you recognize your power, perhaps not in the now but in the future. Don't underestimate the consequences/impact of however many read your values along with other wise writers/communicators.
Just imagine, you have been here writing every day sharing you personal experiences based on a mixed bag of human what to do and what experience is probably skippable and your sharing it with the world as you live it in some way. Is it fair to say that unknowingly it is a guaranty that you have influenced bare minimum being real cheap here that you have made at the very least 1000 someones think about an action they were about to make rethink and choose better resulting in one small act of understanding and kindness and somehow someway it changes the next person and so one because someone like you decided to write your perspective.
If you think what you are doing now isn't impactful...based on the amount of readers, years of experience blogging, the amount of words you put out. How many negative acts did you turn into one of love and understanding unknowingly? How many mindset problems may you have solved for some random schmuks on the internet going thru the same thing and because you face yours and talk about it, they have the chance to guide themselves with a blueprint you wrote rather than stay stuck. Don't under estimate your impact on the world even if you can't see it, it's a big place.
Obviously we all can't sit around a campfire and sing kumbaya while having arm wrestling matches and chest games in these current times but I like dreams and sometimes they do come true. If it doesn't I will have done what I could and be at peace with that.
As far as the book, I'm interested. I do have a pretty long to be read pile and I'm trying to be responsible and not buy new ones until I manage that a little but my B-day is coming up soon-ish and I'm gonna expect ppl to ask me what I want, it will probably be a good suggestion to request.
Indeed, in some way or another each person is asleep (unaware). I wonder if people will wake up. I guess I don't believe enough will or soon enough.
You mention Hollywood, can't disagree with you there. I'm quite disillusioned with movies (content) that's produced now. The agendas, the way it's produced to a formula (the masses want) rather then as something creative. Everything has to sell.
Anyway, that's something else. I agree about the self-mindfulness, each person being responsible. I guess I'm not optimistic though, cynical maybe, possibly I've seen too much 'human nature' to see it any other way. Hope? I have it, I just temper it with pragmatism i suppose.
I feel you're telling me something here, maybe giving me some Benny Hill slaps (you may have to google that) and saying, say the right things bro, drop the right pebbles in the pond, and the ripples will form.
Furthermore, your third-last paragraph...thanks for saying that...I try to present in a balanced way, try to push something outwards that some may find meaningful or that may spark a thought which someone may ignite a fire with themselves...I just don't think I'll all that good at it and maybe my (poor) expectations of humanity take the lead role? I hope not though.
On the book, I think you'll get something from it. I'm still re-reading it, taking my time, going back over passages...there's a lot to unpack and it's been enjoyable. As you say, I'll not talk much about it here, Hive/internet is not the right forum although I'm thinking deeply, anyone who mistakes my vacant dumb-ass face for me not being a deep thinker is more fucken bonkers than I am. The book is challenging me, long-standing things and it's a good thing.
Now, kumbaya? If you ever want to torture yourself you'll get me to sing to you...You'll be divulging state secrets inside of thirty seconds. I don't sing or dance.
I guess I don't believe enough will or soon enough. You don't and expect others to? You should research narcistic abuse and apply it to mass scale perhaps it may open your eyes. Catastrophe after another over and over again eats and numbs the mind into apathy for the sake of survival. It's called mind/psychological warfare and it's more real than ppl want to admit but that's why they can do it. Losing hope or vision sounds a lot like apathy.
The world reminds me of one big abuse victim that can't recognize they are getting abused and stay there because they think there is no other choice so we just go along with it. PPl underestimate the damage of abuse and mind erosion it does or what the definition could even be. I guess that's sort of thing I'm analyzing these days. Obviously it's 2 different concepts but share enough similarities and adds perspective to merge the 2. even the abused spouse or kid gets up one days and says that's wrong and I'm out. Different cycle same path.
Everything has to sell reverse the problem, if it didn't sell, they wouldn't make it. So consumers are unknowingly consuming it by choice of ignorance or rosy colored glasses and ignore reality.
The other problem ppl like us that don't like the mainstream don't hang out on mainstream things out of annoyance. why I still have my FB. We have a gold mine of organic information and ways of life suitable for every need and every like but yet we keep it all locked away and only privy to the ppl of hive. Come to us we think. The repercussions of that the filth spreads and the wholesomeness stays hidden because we hid it with our own beliefs. Not just hive but the wholesome content doesn't spread if you have to be part of something weird you don't understand. The mainstream platforms simply spread information and the only information that spreads is the one that is put there in the first place, if the good organic info isn't there how can it spread? I can't say the hive stuff I post there does that well but I do have friends that ask about it and they will never join hive, doesn't mean they can't benefit from the info written.
I don't get the dude getting smacked on the head over and over thing but I do get the ripples in the water, yes exactly like that. I like to call it spreading seeds. They wont all grow everywhere but spread enough something is bound to come of it eventually. Our words outlive us.
I'm reading translated text that was carved in pyramids several thousands of years ago. It was their intent perhaps but do you think they knew just how large of an influence they would have thousands of years later that any random human could just get it from their house without even having to get out of bed. We start with a huge leg up. As long as we have the internet the words are there to be interpreted by the right person even if it's 200 years from now.
I did a few personal test with my photography on fb and I chose 12 Canadian amateur photo groups to share in. my highest performing post got 55k views and probably several thousands of interactions. Sharing a dumb 5 photo post 12 times. The wholesome information spreads if somebody puts it there and in the right place, it's just a matter of finding that right place. Filth spreads because the good information holders are apathetic.
I totally relate on the information in book being deep and valuable but how to even share in a comprehensive layman terms sometimes can be tricky. I have the same problem. Too niche for regular human consumption. That's your job as a blogger, it shapes your perspective and you write about how it impacts you bit by bit. You already do it.
A lot to unpack here and the little pea-sized brain in my noggin isn't up for it tonight at almost midnight after an eighteen hour day.
I have really struggled to put what this book is making me think and feel, how it's shifting inside me, into words and to be honest I don't think I'll try as it's too personal and would mean I'd have to open up about things I've lived through which I'm not prepared to do here, or online anywhere for that matter. Maybe if you read the book that will make sense although your experiences are different to mine, you're a different person, and so it'll be different for you I guess, as it would be with anyone else. The good thing is that I got to introduce a book that has great meaning, especially in this flawed and broken society of ours, and if one person picks it up and takes a read, hell, if one person sees the movie, maybe some good will come of it...maybe they'll think differently and maybe that'll make a difference.
That's the whole point of a good book, to shift some things inside and yeas like you said, I will read something entirely different out of it because I have different experiences, sometimes it takes a minute to sink in and verbalize it.
Most ppl struggle with opening up and that's a personal choice, it's neither good or bad, also why I think we read, so we can have these deep parts of ourselves disturbed to be analyzed quietly, sometimes it is our personal journey not necessarily for the whole world but it does feel nice to open up about certain things at times, keeping too much inside also isn't good, probably part of the reason the world is so messed up, everyone keeps everything inside until they are all eaten away to nothing and losing hope. Now ppl see me open up here about some weird things but realistically it's just the tip of the iceberg, the more comfortable nasty stuff I don't want to traumatize anyone either.
Your hopes are one par, Even if one person picks it up That's why we are here, to inform the ones who want it and yes that's a win. I plan on reading it...mission accomplished then...Just like that! 😆
Old Bobby Lee was a bit naïve but he wasn't wrong. We just have a really short collective memory of that. And that was from before warfare reached industrial scale.
I think conflict is the human condition. Got a chuckle when I saw your post, I've got a rant about half written, the short version of which is: History doesn't repeat itself so much as we humans have a pattern of behavior.
I was going to use that quote, I actually have in the past, but decided on the Vera Brittain quote for continuity.
Sums up humans pretty well...I mean think about what happened back in 202/21...and people have let it go, gone back to their old ways as if those lessons never happened.
I'm glad you saw this, have you read the book? I mean, I have read thousands of books on war and this is the only book I have read that comes from the other perspective. As I say, it challenges deep-seated understandings and I like that. It's also interesting to feel her pain at seeing her fellow, (Roland Leighton) go to war, how difficult that time was and how that strengthened her resolve to do something herself - The battlefield nurse thing. Interestingly, she was, for a time, set in a ward treating German officers...the same people who fiancé and brother Edward were trying to kill. It's worth a read.
Well said and I agree. I'm looking forward to your post, sounds interesting.
I was a bit obsessed with the American Civil War growing up, the fact that Lee would say that after a victory was the first real inkling I had that warfare was not all guts and glory.
I've heard of it but never read it, will have to give it a read. Read plenty of others on 'The War to End All Wars,' but I blame Metallica for my first run in with the other perspective, One made me read Johnny Got His Gun. Took a seminar course at the university on anti-war movements and it cause of considerable contemplation and reflection. Had two professors, one was a conscientious objector from the Vietnam War and the other had led teach-ins at Berkeley during the same time period, and they got into the philosophies underlying the movements as well.
Thank you, I'd been a bit stuck on it but our little discussion has broken that loose a bit I think.
The guts and glory paradigm is an easy one for people to fall into, just as it's easy for people to think/assume that people who go to war are terrible people, warmongers and cruel; that's just not the case.
I believe people need perspective but often close themselves to it. The phrase, I hate war, is a common phrase but true understanding comes from a better and broader knowledge; luckily, these days, one doesn't need to experience it to gain that knowledge. People are people though, and will always champion their own cause, not unlike Vera Brittain, or any vegan screaming at a meat eater - I just like to gain a clearer perspective.
There's many books out there that can offer a person perspective on this matter, war, but most will never take them up and read...they're too closed or focused on their agenda, ideals and beliefs to discover some additional facts...that might challenge those agendas, ideals and beliefs.
I've not read, The War to End All Wars...I must though, been meaning to for a long time. So many books, so little time.
You're welcome, sometimes one must be shaken up a little, or just poked in the ribs.
Mate, reading your article , I think in my partner, she is a Syrian refugee (she is only 22 years old), despite our trust, she is unable to tell me everything she lived through in the war and what she had to do to escape with her family from such suffering, I can’t imagine how hard it must be to live through that.
So don’t tell me that humanity is progressing, well yes we are, but I think we are heading towards our own destruction.
While we are talking here there are many people suffering “the good path” of humanity, so it is not right, sadly we can do little 😞
It's often difficult to talk about difficult and stressful situations, loss and suffering, and about things seen but never forgotten, I'm not surprised she doesn't tell you everything. Sad, but a reality of a situation like hers.
I understand that people want to have hope, I think it's convenient and comforting for people to say things like, humanity is moving towards peace, but the fact of it is that humans are constantly in conflict, one after the other with small gaps of
peaceplanning the next conflict in between. Emotions like greed, selfishness, ego and hubris are for too strong in humans and most act commensurate to those emotions. It's easy to blame the agendas of politicians, corporations and hunger for money as people do, but it's all humans...all to blame.Very interesting. I've never heard of this before. I don't really watch movies like I used to either though. I've also never been much of a reader. I am reading a book now though. It's called "Any means necessary". It's a spy type book. Pretty easy read so far. Will probably take me a year to get through it!
Testament of Youth, the book, is slow-going to read, she was an incredibly intelligent woman and writes that way so one must read carefully to pick up what she's put down, which is partly why I'm reading it again. The movie is easily followed...although the first time I was too busy crushing on Alicia Vikander. Worth a watch, certainly for me as someone who loves history.
Good luck with your book. I've got seven sitting on my to read shelf right next to me and one more on the way...it'll keep me busy for a couple months.
Seven books would take me a lifetime! I'm just a slow reader. I'm excited for Masters of the air to start in Apple TV soon.
I don't have Apple TV...but I'm probably going to have to get it, just for that bloody show! Lol.
Sounds like a book I should read (whether I manage to get there or not it’s another thing altogether 😵).
I’m a bit ambivalent about whether things are getting better or not, I can see things getting better so I think it is improving, it’s just way too slow for my liking. I can also see things just blundering along like they’ve always done with people seemingly pretending that everything is better than it is so they don’t have to do anything to make it better.
Meanwhile I’m just going to be relentlessly, irritatingly optimistic and keep relentlessly, irritatingly trying to make things better.
You see things getting better? Not sure where you are looking.
Australia was at war in the war on terror from 2001 to 2021 so not better there, Iraq prior to that, East Timor, Vietnam...also there's conflicts happening around the world between other belligerents right now which I probably don't need to list...humans have a long history of war and conflict and it's not abating I think. I just don't see how it's getting better.
You know, I was reading a while back that there's something like 46 million in 'modern slavery' right now, far more than at any other time in history and the 13 million (estimated) between the 15th and 19th centuries...that doesn't say much for human nature and progress. https://www.walkfree.org/
There's many optimistic people out there trying to make a difference, and I hope they do, it just doesn't seem to be those who have much say in whether conflicts actually occur or not, and in not enough numbers I guess. Still, it doesn't do any harm to be optimistic.
I don't know how to describe how I see things, it's generally more a feeling/vibe than seeing.
I work at the drop level. Tide will turn eventually. I kind of don't want it to flood because that's part of why history keeps repeating ad nauseum but at this stage both a flood and a calm change seem about equally likely.
I hope change comes at the same time knowing that if it does I'll not be here to see it. I mean, the war on terror went for twenty years...in those same twenty years from now I'll be gone. So, I guess the reality for me is that I'll never see a true and lasting peace between humans...maybe your children's grandchildren's great grandchildren might have a small percentage of a chance of seeing it though.
Gotta keep trying for that glimmer :)
it's infinitely better than pathetically giving up
Reaching forward for glimmers is the way to do it.
I think people are comparing to the past, where civilizations were erased due to wars, and there were two world wars, that were of a massive scale. Sure, there are still wars, and I don't think it will ever disappear, but I think the nuclear bombs are still doing its job of preventing a bigger scale.
I do think a lot of people are more opposed to war, and have been going for a more peaceful coexistence with one another. In Asia, we've seen more countries join forces and push back against the advancements of China. We've seen how multiple countries have supported Ukraine against Russia.
Humans are greedy, and as long as people in power are insatiable, then wars and conflict will still happen.
I agree although in my opinion it should read: Humans are greedy and as long as people are insatiable then wars and conflicts will still happen.
I've taken out the in power part...it's not just people in power who have insatiable greed or who start or incite conflict.
I can see it. I added "in power" because the powerless are usually unable to do significant damage on their own.
You reckon China will be the next antagonist? The Australian (and others) government does.
I'm from the Philippines, so I think they already are. They have frequently been advancing on our seas and preventing our ships. There have been some laser pointer attacks, water pump attacks, and rammings against our ships. The US is showing support and upholding our ally status, and the other neighboring countries are also doing the same; like Japan. I think the silver lining is that China's economy is having problems, so they also need to look into that and avoid conflicts for now. A lot are vigilant now because of what happened in Ukraine and Russia.
Yep, exactly...the economic war has been going for a while with us here in Australia at least, and I think things will escalate at some stage; others will respond and yet another war will ensue.
I'd like to think that it wouldn't result in a war. The Russian Ukraine war only happened because Ukraine is not part of the EU, and is not an official ally of a lot of nations. The Philippines and a lot of Asian countries are official allies of the US, and the US will be forced to honor this. I think China is just posturing as always. The Philippines has won an arbitration with the UN against China, so if China continues going against it, they will go against a lot of countries.
I must say you are right to ask either we are at peace or we still encouraging the war and armed conflicts, because myself see nothing like peace we we kill each other just a piece of land as these things keeps happening in Africa more often during this Era. Based on listed conflicts all we can say is we are not getting better promoting peace but polishing and growing the conflicts amongst ourselves. Peace isn't always assured.
Peace is never assured, and never happens, it's more a brief cessation of conflict in between the conflicts.
Africa has had it's share of conflicts, I'll pay that, but all countries have, because humans are everywhere.
People often go to war in order for us to live in peace.. and all that jazz. Absurdistic view, no? But hey - it has been the narrative for so long and it will continue to be. The weapon lobby is too strong - and it is a fairly easy way for the USA to be obtaining enormous profits out of it. Face it - every war out there is making someone filthy rich (wink, wink, USA).
The United States of America is not the only country/organisation warmongering however they often bear the brunt of such accusations. I don't blame them though, I blame humans in general who, in my opinion, have an ingrained propensity for violence against each other and mostly for reasons of greed, hubris and ego. Humans are disgusting and the sooner humanity is wiped from the face of the Earth the better the rest of its inhabitants will be.
tooshae I guess. we are the biggest parasites out there, the absolute biggest virus that has befallen upon Earth that will probably decimate all of Earth's natural resources out of greed.
Humans are a plague on this planet; we didn't need to be, it's not pre-ordained, we chose it, and are continuing to choose it in many ways, one of which I outlined in this post: https://peakd.com/hive-126152/@galenkp/not-sustainable
We'll be gone eventually, you and I personally, we will die at some point, basically anytime from right this second it's possible - and a sure thing at some point, but on a larger scale, all humans will be and I think we're accelerating the demise of the species day by day.
I haven't read the book nor seen the movie.
I think what is going on in the world today is face slapping proof that we are not doing better. Maybe there are small pockets that are at peace, but the world in general is still fighting like crazy....mostly for no good reason as just like in the past, no matter who "wins" the current conflicts, it will not be the end of it.
I can't and don't want to argue with what you say, we think alike on this matter for sure.
It is sad but true, history proves it. Without conflict there is no development, to the misfortune of a large part of humanity.
People talk about alternative ways of dealing with our differences, but is that really viable? History shows it generally hasn't been and I don't see anything changing anytime soon.
At least if I were to change anything I don't think I'm going to see it.
I agree, it'll not happen in our lifetimes.
Perhaps, in the distant future when we are robots, the story will change.
Lol...humans won't exist, the robots will take over...or maybe aliens will come down and wipe humans out. It won't matter then I guess.
Hahaha, it's a laugh but it's very likely to happen.
That's quite a long list of conflicts you've got there ( and still counting). I do agree with you that our situation has not changed pretty much, we are still a people at war, we have been and I think, we'll continue to be.
In my own country, predominantly, we have tribal wars and religious wars everywhere with many lives already lost, and still counting. Then on a global scale, since time immemorial, it's been the same story. So I would conclude that Man is solely responsible for the destruction and devastation that is happening across the lands, and maybe for their own selfish reasons.
Religious conflict is probably one of the most prevalent firms, that and simple greed...or religious greed also I guess. It's a terrible situation really, to fabricate a reason to go to war out of the teachings of a religion. The Crusades and terrorism come to mind. That's just humanity manipulating things to suit their needs. Another reason I think most humans are garbage.
I am right there with you brother. I can not even watch the news. It is all propaganda and lies. And my trusted sources are all bad news. Fuck it I am putting this phone down and going back outside. Enjoying the right now. Tomorrow's not guaranteed when so many tyrants hold positions of power.
I agree with you...Every now and then I catch some of the news service on TV and it makes me want to vomit, such rubbish. There's little good news and the small amount there is isn't really good, it's just not as bad as the rest. Humans are on the wrong path, and it will lead nowhere good.
War is very sad, it brings out the worst and the best in us, except that we have testimonies of what happens in it, at least to try to prevent it from happening again.
greetings.
It's important to talk about it, show its effects, the damage it does to those who fight it and those who suffer through it as civilians, as you say, in that way we can expose how damaging it can be and that they should be alternative ways to deal with issues. That's what this book I'm reading demonstrates.
Definitely what is happening nowadays does not seem like peace, but the opposite, as if those who pull the strings of the world want more deaths to occur...., less people.... I felt indignant when I heard someone in a video saying: humans are too many.... like too many, and the one who was talking about what is he?
Human beings are not moving towards peace, but towards annihilating each other with so many divisions and hatreds.
What is being generated for example here in Europe is a covert war, the mixture of cultures is causing women to be in danger, many French women can't go out on the street... I think you will know about it and the truth is that the streets of Spain are not like they were when I arrived.
I'm always aware of my surroundings, it's something I learned in Argentina, to have 20 eyes and to take care of myself as much as possible. ....
What is happening is not going to get better, unfortunately.
Hugs Galen.
I'd like to think that humanity is on track for a (much) better future without wars I have a nephew and niece who have to live in this world after the current generation of my family are gone...I just don't see it though. Reading this book published almost a hundred years ago, the fear and loss suffered...and here we are still going to war. It's difficult to see it changing.
Maybe you'll read the Vera Brittain book, or some of her others, maybe you will not, however I think you feel the same way way about this scenario as I do...sad but true huh?
Look, I believe to a certain extent... life on earth is cyclical, it's a never ending issue, the important thing is that your nephews and nieces are well prepared and in a safe place, a lot of self-confidence. I don't know what the future holds, but it doesn't look good... it doesn't look good at all. You have to be realistic and not live in a fantasy world. I totally agree.
I've read a lot of similar books...
I think it could be cyclical but we're breaking the cycles...and things are spinning out of control, changing things so drastically that they're unsustainable. Remember back that post I did about overfishing? If we don't make changes there won't be enough food for humans and then maybe the last war will happen and the survivors can be thrust back 10,000 years...and it can start again. Or maybe we're wiped out all together...that's the better option.
It is true, they even say that one of the biggest wars could be over fresh water. Between that issue and food, humanity is in trouble.
Any of the two options can happen and maybe the second one is the best... the human being is like a virus that destroys everything and does not value the place where it lives.
You missed the Nigeria-Biafra War (1967-1970).
I'm definitely not among those that think there's peace, or that we've become better. Well better is relative, isn't it? Different folks have got different yardsticks for what they consider better, but this approach shouldn't be applied to peace. Peace is just that, peace. If there's peace, it's glaring and need not be explained, even if subject to certain conditions or terms.
The only time the word "better" should be used to describe our war evolutions is that there are far more restraints and longer time passes between one war and another. Although, the Russian-Ukraine war and the Isreal-Palestine War are raging simultaneously. This just further proves my point, nothing is better. We might as well be back in the olden days, only with more noise, and more tech. Like you said, better ways to do the killing. I'd like to believe, and so would've said that there are also far less ridiculous reasons for going to war, but I wouldn't know. I would have to read through the history of all the wars. I guess the barbarisms prevalent in the past has me thinking so.
I really really hope, however far-fetched my hope may seem, that leaders all over the world become truly leaders; visionary leaders, who work towards only the welfare of the masses, not merely rulers amassing wealth, trying to maintain high shoulders and constantly in needless competition.
If you read my post you'd have seen that I noted that the list of wars and conflicts I included was not complete.
Don't hold your breath on leaders becoming true visionary leaders, seems highly improbable. I guess we all need to focus on being the best we can be and hope it's enough.
Oh shoot! My bad. Of course I read your post, I always read posts if I'm going to reply. I just forgot that you mentioned it 'cause a lot of time passed before I got to finishing my reply, I am at work. Pardon me.
Yeah, I get how that matters a lot. A lot of these wars seem to be really up to us as human beings....
I hope no one has to go to war ever again, or be caught up in it as a bystander, I know what it does to people, but I also feel that humans don't have the capacity, at this point, to prevent it. Greed, ego and selfishness are too powerful.
It's funny that you say this, because I was going to say something somewhat similar at first, but I was caught between saying our actions wouldn't do much because it's really up to the people in power, and saying what I said; concurring with your view. I resolved though, that the former argument does not hold water. Not as much as it should if it's going to be a public or voiced-out opinion.
Basically though, it just means that, while our never going to war again and maintaining peace may be largely up to our leaders' decision making processes, we also can put in the effort in our own small niches to prevent it. It's like you said, we should do our part and hope it'll be enough. Greed, selfishness, etc., these are abstracts, how do we fight them? Can we? Would we win?
If we all loved one another, maybe there'll be no conflict for the rulers to capitalise on, right? Argh! As I type, rebuttals come flooding into my head. This is a sit-down-and-really-talk-about-it-kind-of-conversation. I should let you go.
Peace!
Loving one another, oneness, and seeing the world as one country with all mankind its citizens...sounds ideal right? But here's the thing, we can't agree on that scale. We don't like each other for many reasons, religion, politics, colour, social standing, country, intelligence-level, how we look, talk and other factors. Humans are judgemental and prejudiced...so how are we going to love each other? Can't.
Sad I think, but humans have it deeply ingrained that greed is good, that we need more than we actually need and that taking it from others is how to proceed. Of course, those others will protect what they have and...war.
Greetings of peace, my dear Galen, historically wars and involving and turning children, women, the elderly, civilians in general into war targets, is absolutely condemnable.
Everything corresponds to expansionism and the new re-articulation of world geopolitics around the three dominant powers:
The United States, China, Russia and their respective allies.
In the current escalation, war, as always, the main victims are going to be the innocent, on both sides and no matter who prevails, the destruction is going to be real and peace is getting further and further away, unfortunately.
Magnificent book the one that rests in your hand, peace and good for you, Galen.
Hmm well, I don't necessarily agree with you singling out those three counties specifically, wars have happened in many countries and for many reasons, including my own; it's a human thing, not a country thing, or so I believe. Sure, greed-related, expansionism as you say, but no matter the countries involved, the one thing that is common across all is that humans are involved.
But I've put a list of just some of the wars and conflicts from history into this post and in every one human beings were involved...some between people from the same country! (Civil wars.) Humans are garbage.
And yes, the book is beautiful, sad and poignant all at the same time do you think you'll read it?
Really Galen, there is an urgent need for an end to so much hostility on the part of humans, but that the.necessary peace is not to the detriment of sovereignty, and territories.
Of course I would read that book and recommended it, by you. I'm going to look for it today.
Good luck with the book...it's been in print since it was first published so I'm certain you'll find it in the language of your choice.
War
War
War!
My granny told me lots of sad stories of about the Biafran war.
Wars are not the best way to settle differences, if you ask me.
It's more catastrophic than it is peace-seeking.
What do you all think?
I understand what you're saying...but I'm going to put it back on you...What's the alternative? Go and discover what led to World War Two and what the Nazi's did leading up to it. Then come back and tell me another way of dealing with it other then the allies going to war to counter them.
Unfortunately, humans are a disgusting selfish, greedy, hubristic species...so how are the bad actors dealt with? A chess tournament? I wonder, when Adolf Hitler and his Nazi's were exterminating millions of "undesirables" in World War Two if he would have just decided to play a game of chess to sort it out instead? I think not. So, people go to war to stand up for those who cannot, or will not, stand up for themselves. Sad but true.
Great lessons sir @galenkp
In other words, desperate times call for desperate measures.
I need me some researches and enquiries about wars, the world wars.
Thank you so much sir
I guess so to some extent although it's more complicated than that.
I have to do more researches!
I actually feel sad because of the war, why don't people sit together and talk to solve the problem? The main problem is to help residents become happy
It's something people should feel sad about, human nature is flawed and broken...solving issues without war has never really been possible on a general and broad scale.
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