What was the most destructive human creation?

[dustn64]

I think bleff (Minister Masket's "invention") because everyone who looked at it got a little bit dumber.

[Minister Masket]

I think bleff (Minister Masket's "invention") because everyone who looked at it got a little bit dumber.

He's called BLEF, get it right.
When dustn looked at him, nothing happened.

[Bigfalcon65]

Religion.

Also takes the title of the most constructive as well...

The sole roots of every worldly dilema

yes it is, when people beleive in something, they fight for it, die for it do everything in thier power to keep it the way it is, and what lay in the wake? Countless bodies all massacered for the sake of a beleif.

[Hitman079]

One of the most destructive yet neccessary creation by man was currency. I cant recall how many disagreements have been started with the hidden goal of monetary gain. Every war that has been fought has both sides have a public agenda, along with a private one.

Such as the war in Iraq, we say we are going to stop a dictatorship, but alongisde that, winning the war equals lower prices of resources every country needs to survive in the modern era.

you're on to something there. but thinking about it, there really is no other way to handle expenses and stuff. trading just doesn't make sense anymore.

[Bigfalcon65]

One of the most destructive yet neccessary creation by man was currency. I cant recall how many disagreements have been started with the hidden goal of monetary gain. Every war that has been fought has both sides have a public agenda, along with a private one.

Such as the war in Iraq, we say we are going to stop a dictatorship, but alongisde that, winning the war equals lower prices of resources every country needs to survive in the modern era.

you're on to something there. but thinking about it, there really is no other way to handle expenses and stuff. trading just doesn't make sense anymore.

well also you got to remember times have changed, i cant trade you my xbox for food, not the same value, if it were the same type of goods it could work.

[Stopper]

I've been reading about the Luddites, and have a sinking suspiscion that The Industrial Revolution was the most revolting human creation of all time. Western capitalism and the machine have probably destroyed more humans than all the wars of the world combined. Plus it has made us crazy. Isn't it funny how a hunter/gatherer works about 8 to 12 hours a week, and we now do that in a day. I'm not saying that it's all bad, but the way humans have implemented industrialization is sick.

I can't agree with this either, and not just because I don't want to end up on the wrong side of btownmeggy as well - so far, the industrial revolution appears, for all its very many faults, to be easily the best thing that's ever happened to humanity - the good it's done easily outweigh the bad (which is understating it a bit). Indeed, the ongoing industrialisation in China and India, if it keeps pace for the next few decades, could be seen as the greatest success story yet for humanity, just because of the sheer numbers of people that will benefit from it.

But there are two obvious effects of it that I'm surprised no-one's mentioned yet (or at least I don't think they have), its massive use of a finite source of energy - fossil fuels, and its possible/probable causing of destructive climate change.

Boiling it down, if no alternative source of energy is found, and fairly soon, then for all it's done, the industrial revolution could end up being just a brief, decadent phase in human history, which if it suddenly ended, would be the worst thing ever to happen to humankind yet.

But then, I've had quite a bit to drink by now, so I might be a bit maudlin, becuase I get like that.

[Jenos Ridan]

Fire. It's one of the oldest inventions and has therefore had more time to wreak much more damage than newer ones such as guns and the industrial revolution.

Fire's not really a human creation, more of a discovery. Fire existed before humans did.

I would have to say the creation of more humans. Not just with what they have done to themselves through the years with war and such, but overpopulation has to be a factor at one point, and it already is in places like India and China.

Man is his own worst enemy. Philophers, theologians and many writters have explored this phenomena and have yet to come to an answer.

[CrazyAnglican]

Religion.

Also takes the title of the most constructive as well...

The sole roots of every worldly dilema

yes it is, when people beleive in something, they fight for it, die for it do everything in thier power to keep it the way it is, and what lay in the wake? Countless bodies all massacered for the sake of a beleif.

Now, of course, I believe that people fight and die for their beliefs. This, however, is true for many things other than religion. Political systems, forms of government, philosophies. They have all had their adherents who fought and died in their names.

How can religion be the sole root of every conflict? For example, the Great Patriotic War (Eastern front WWII) between the USSR and the Axis powers. Neither government could remotely be considered a theocracy. Both were fighting for strategic advantage in an expansionist sense. People believed in these forms of goverment and died for them, but this cannot be confused with the people dying for a religious cause nor did religion play a major role in starting the war.

Somebody else has it. I want it. I'll try to get a lot of people to use their clubs to go and get it for me.

[Ronaldinho]

I would say the most destructive thing ever has to be mens sexual tension, becuase of it, alot of babies are unborn, i win.

[Backglass]

What was the most destructive human creation?

Religion & Cigarettes. Millions dead worldwide. Especially the religious smokers.

[unriggable]

What was the most destructive human creation?

Religion & Cigarettes. Millions dead worldwide. Especially the religious smokers.

Jesus, you have no idea.

EDIT no pun intended

[CrazyAnglican]

What was the most destructive human creation?

Religion & Cigarettes. Millions dead worldwide. Especially the religious smokers.

Hmmm. Both are partaken of voluntarily; as Guiscard stated, religion has been a very constructive influence in human history as well.

I'm not saying that people haven't died as a result of their religious beliefs, but asserting that people die for a lot of beliefs. When it comes down to it, a greedy person will use whatever means necessary to garner more for himself. Religions, traditions, clan ties, patriotism, abstract concepts like honor, these have all been used as reasons for killing others. There is nothing inherently evil about any of them. The underlying evil is human greed. Get rid of religion and the same people will use other means to persuade the masses.

[unriggable]

What was the most destructive human creation?

Religion & Cigarettes. Millions dead worldwide. Especially the religious smokers.

Hmmm. Both are partaken of voluntarily; as Guiscard stated, religion has been a very constructive influence in human history as well.

I'm not saying that people haven't died as a result of their religious beliefs, but asserting that people die for a lot of beliefs. When it comes down to it, a greedy person will use whatever means necessary to garner more for himself. Religions, traditions, clan ties, patriotism, abstract concepts like honor, these have all been used as reasons for killing others. There is nothing inherently evil about any of them. The underlying evil is human greed. Get rid of religion and the same people will use other means to persuade the masses.

No but some people get so tied up in religion, like the Islamic suicide bombers, that they can no longer see the world for what it is, only for what they think it will be. I doubt any other means can be used to convince somebody to kill themselves.

[Nobunaga]

... Television.

...

[CrazyAnglican]

What was the most destructive human creation?

Religion & Cigarettes. Millions dead worldwide. Especially the religious smokers.

Hmmm. Both are partaken of voluntarily; as Guiscard stated, religion has been a very constructive influence in human history as well.

I'm not saying that people haven't died as a result of their religious beliefs, but asserting that people die for a lot of beliefs. When it comes down to it, a greedy person will use whatever means necessary to garner more for himself. Religions, traditions, clan ties, patriotism, abstract concepts like honor, these have all been used as reasons for killing others. There is nothing inherently evil about any of them. The underlying evil is human greed. Get rid of religion and the same people will use other means to persuade the masses.

No but some people get so tied up in religion, like the Islamic suicide bombers, that they can no longer see the world for what it is, only for what they think it will be. I doubt any other means can be used to convince somebody to kill themselves.

Really? I don't think you can call the Kamikaze, in WWII, religious extremeists. Did they have religions? Probably. With regard to religion, however, they saw themselves as Japanese first. Ritual (not religious) suicide is practiced in several cultures. Plato drank hemlock. You can convince people to kill themselves without promising an afterlife. Just convince them that the people, country, or way of life they love will benefit from their death.

[chewyman]

Fire. It's one of the oldest inventions and has therefore had more time to wreak much more damage than newer ones such as guns and the industrial revolution.

Fire's not really a human creation, more of a discovery. Fire existed before humans did.

I would have to say the creation of more humans. Not just with what they have done to themselves through the years with war and such, but overpopulation has to be a factor at one point, and it already is in places like India and China.

I meant the ability to harness fire (or at least to create it deliberately). Without that metal work would have been impossible and we all know how useful that's been. So harnessing fire was a wonderful thing, but also very destructive. Whatever really is the invention that has caused the most suffering I believe will also probably be one that has benefited human life the most.

[luns101]

Country Music

[pancakemix]

Country Music

QFT.

[Jehan]

What was the most destructive human creation?

Religion & Cigarettes. Millions dead worldwide. Especially the religious smokers.

Hmmm. Both are partaken of voluntarily; as Guiscard stated, religion has been a very constructive influence in human history as well.

I'm not saying that people haven't died as a result of their religious beliefs, but asserting that people die for a lot of beliefs. When it comes down to it, a greedy person will use whatever means necessary to garner more for himself. Religions, traditions, clan ties, patriotism, abstract concepts like honor, these have all been used as reasons for killing others. There is nothing inherently evil about any of them. The underlying evil is human greed. Get rid of religion and the same people will use other means to persuade the masses.

No but some people get so tied up in religion, like the Islamic suicide bombers, that they can no longer see the world for what it is, only for what they think it will be. I doubt any other means can be used to convince somebody to kill themselves.

where'd you get that idea from? Tamil tigers blow themselves up because they believe in an independent homeland for tamils, as that crazy anglican pointed out kamikaze bombers flew their missions because it was their duty. You should try and think before you make broad sweeping generalisations.
I would say many of todays problems have their roots in european colonisation and imperialism. For instance many of the developement problems in african countries and south american countries can be brought back to the fact that european countries colonised these places for the sole purpose of taking their natural resources, which they did, and enslaved the native populations, i actually think almost all of todays current problems can be traced in some way back to european colonisation, i say most, not all.

[hecter]

Country Music

QFT.

[chewyman]

Country Music

QFT.

[BobHacket]

I vote religion as well

[ritz627]

Country Music

QFT.

[Jenos Ridan]

What was the most destructive human creation?

Religion & Cigarettes. Millions dead worldwide. Especially the religious smokers.

Hmmm. Both are partaken of voluntarily; as Guiscard stated, religion has been a very constructive influence in human history as well.

I'm not saying that people haven't died as a result of their religious beliefs, but asserting that people die for a lot of beliefs. When it comes down to it, a greedy person will use whatever means necessary to garner more for himself. Religions, traditions, clan ties, patriotism, abstract concepts like honor, these have all been used as reasons for killing others. There is nothing inherently evil about any of them. The underlying evil is human greed. Get rid of religion and the same people will use other means to persuade the masses.

No but some people get so tied up in religion, like the Islamic suicide bombers, that they can no longer see the world for what it is, only for what they think it will be. I doubt any other means can be used to convince somebody to kill themselves.

How about the extreme nationalism we saw in the Nazies and the Imperial Japanese? I don't think there is that much a difference in flying a bomb-loaded plane into a battleship and strapping a dynamite vest on. To paraphase a line from Jurassic Park, "War will find a way".

[Jenos Ridan]

Country Music

QFT.

Good one, luns.