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Survival of the Fittest.
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by
on 2008-04-21 14:16:39 |
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Apparently I'm inhumane simply because I refuse to give hand-outs and charity. While some are born naturally at a disadvantage, there are others who put themselves in not-so-great positions and expect help. Simply because I turn away, I have no heart? My friend's mother called me ignorant when I said 'survival of the fittest' is how I view the world. I almost laughed, but I didn't want to offend her further. Am I looking at things the wrong way? Maybe I should switch to her more democratic views and start giving away all the things I've worked so hard for to those who have less? Chances are they'll steal it anyway. Opinions please?  |
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Re: Survival of the Fittest.
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by
 
on 2008-04-23 02:24:53 |
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You are definitely not looking at things the wrong way. I would be even more annoyed if I see a pretentious celebrity trying to perform a publicity stunt by doing massive amounts of charities for those in need. And then bragging to us selfish folk "I feel so good about it, it didn't made me so awful when I donate money to the poor, they need the money to survive", whatever the persuasive statement may be. It's nothing wrong to keep your resources to yourself, since it's you that put a lot of effort of collecting those resources that are valuable to your needs! Charities are voluntary in nature, therefore it's up to the individual to donate to charity organisation(s). I won't be generous at donating charity, cuz these days there are fraudsters imposing themselves as registered charity organisations--- imagine of all your generous donations are taken away for those fraudster's unfaithful needs. Can they say you are greedy to those poor strangers? How about this? You only give things to those you know... say like your 4 year old cousin wants a dress for her birthday party, then you remembered that you have a dress that you used to wear when you were 4 and it is unwearable and unappealing to your taste everytime you see it... then why not donate that dress to your cousin? That's a generous act of giving. Those people who likes donate whatever they see as urgent and shocking have less sense over themselves--- money these days won't come easily, especially when everyone is talking about the recession hype. When that day comes, wow, they shouldn't expect us to donate them. Keep your money for your education in college or university. Keep your clothes for your next generations or sell them (or even remake them). Keep what you worked so hard for your living. |
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Re: Survival of the Fittest.
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You're surely not "inhumane", probably the opposite, heh. I think giving charity is okay, when you believe that giving it will make the world you live in a better place. Giving charity because the act of giving it makes you feel good can't really be called charity, and giving it out of some false obligation you've placed on yourself is also meaningless. Also I don't think "Survival of the fittest" or "Natural selection" apply on humans very well these days, but that's a different issue. |
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Re: Survival of the Fittest.
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by The Hermit
on 2008-04-24 21:53:27
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Natural selection still applies in modern society as surely as it did back when our ancestors flung dung from trees. The real question you should be asking is, "what traits are being passed down to the greatest number of offspring?" "What traits are being selected?" That said, there is a strong case that altruism has been selected as a desirable trait by mates for centuries. Altruism can serve as a way to show off your superior genes ("I'm so awesome that I can afford to give to the members of the tribe that are less fortunate... you know you want to mate with me!"), as a method to protect your tribe (which are more likely to have similar genes to yours than neighboring tribes), or as a means of bartering (the old "you scratch my back, I scratch yours" thing... treating the less fortunate well so that others will treat you well when you are worse off), or several other advantages. This is clearly an advantageous trait for social animals, of which humans count themselves among. You have a better chance of attracting mates and making sure your offspring survive if you are an altruist, and that's really what "survival of the fittest" is all about. Basically? If you just don't want to donate, that's fine. But have the guts to admit it: "I don't donate because I'm selfish". Blaming it on "survival of the fittest" is not only ignorant, it's dishonest. Also, the "they'd probably steal it anyway" line showcases such ignorance and elitism that I cannot respond to it without breaking the terms of service, so I won't. Have a nice day! :) |
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Re: Survival of the Fittest.
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Natural selection is God. Nature does not like weaklings, crybabies, stragglers, and the uninspired more than anything else. And while this does not mean that we should be evil to everyone, it does mean that we should blame anyone for not helping people who 1)do not really, really need help, and 2)will probably not benefit from the help either. Therefore, you are NOT wrong. Just go the way you're going, and leave the bleeding-heart liberals to do whatever they like. They'll realise their error soon enough.  --> |
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Re: Survival of the Fittest.
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by
on 2008-04-25 06:21:30 (edited 2008-04-25 06:22:22)
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)(YOU KNOW WHAT I absolutely dislike. When I write my reply, go to post it... and it says you must login. It honestly makes me want to cry in frustration. Why? For some reason my browser doesn't save what I wrote ;_;)( To My Dearest The Hermit, 'If you just don't want to donate, that's fine. But have the guts to admit it: "I don't donate because I'm selfish". Blaming it on "survival of the fittest" is not only ignorant, it's dishonest.' Maybe I should have been more particular in what I wrote. First off, I happen to be first in line to donate blood and in attending charity events supporting breast cancer, autistic patients and various other organizations I won't mention. When I say Survival Of the Fittest. I mean just that, every word. Let's apply it to modern day issues and our varied population. Better yet, Let's first apply it to me. I come from a very poor Hispanic family. I grew up in what was typically steretyped as the 'ghetto' Imagine growing up in a house filled with seven+ kids, ages ranging from five to sixteen. There was never enough food. We had to manage with plantains and crackers when it came down to it. My mother worked all day practically everyday. The other adults of the home were either engaged in being below the influence(drugs, alcohol), having annoyingly loud sex in the next room, or passed out. These were family members and friends. The children, various cousins and their friends. Back to Survival of the Fittest. My cousins have continued down that road, I guess considering their experiences. It's what they were taught. I on the other hand happened to excel at school (the only place I fit in -.-;;) and have never touched drugs in my life. Sure, I dropped out of highschool, but it was due to circumstances relating to survival at home. Priorities. That won't stop be from trying to continue my education though! I know for a fact, I will become a teacher (unless I die o.o;;) and educate the masses! My goal ;] Gotta start small ;] Now, Let's direct our focus to our lower classed citizens. A question one could ask is, 'Why are they lower class citizens?' Well Bobby, I'll tell you why. Eight times out of ten, they put themselves in that position. Eight times out of ten, they don't try to improve their situations and live paycheck to paycheck in government funded housing. Clearly, they are not the fittest or they would be in a better position. They've had the essentials handed to them (salvation army [has good food too], foodstamps and actual checks to cash for money) and see no need to work. Though, I will give them credit for managing to live off such little paychecks :| Now there are some who are put in horrible situations that aren't easy to get out of. For instance, the other day when I was out with my mother, we saw a one a man missing the lower part of his leg rolling around in a wheelchair. After engaging him in conversation when he showed us his donation cup, it turns out he lost it due to an illness. Who would hire a one-legged man? He asked with a slight laugh. It was a really heart-breaking experience. We should start an organization =] What originally sparked my post was this, a conversation with my best friend and her mother. The conversation involved politics. They were both for the people, democrats. While I'm not sure of my political party, I'd probably be a republican. My biffle believed that the government should make college free and guarantee you a job after completion. I was like whoa, hey there buddy, America is competition. Survival of the fittest. Your even given the chances to to succeed, but can you prove yourself a better suited for that job or college? More like the best canidate or student. If there was no competition, we'd be freakn canada. JUST KIDDING OMGSH JUST KIDDING. But seriously, with no competition who would try? Your thought process would be, shoot I'ma get a job anyway. The government should just go handing out jobs anyway, who needs an education? Survival of the fittest is taking in your situation and using it to your advantage. America provides you with an education (albeit a not so great one), the protection of a (not completely corrupt) police force and a (not completely corrupt) judicial system. What more do you need? Free enterprise, operate as you please(of course there are labor laws) selling or providing whatever you want (see state laws ;]). If you think your job is run badly or doesn't provide enough for employees, get the training to get a better paying job. It's actually pretty simple these days with all the six-month courses they have. My best friends mother had the nerve to say she was poor. She lives in a GIGANTIC house compared to mine. Earlier we were at the mall and she was considering buying a six hundred dollar piece of furniture (personally not necessary, just because it was cute, and it was cute.) What poor person would spend that kind of cash on such unneseccary stuff? My best friend has been provided with everything, I love her to death, but shes spoiled. Survival of the fittest is associating with mates sharing similar opinions who conduct themselves like they want to get somewhere in life. Survival of the fittest is being on top of your game, one step ahead. I'm not saying do this alone, I'm saying recruit people to your cause. I treat others the way I'd want to be treated. Though, I know I would never end up in their situations(refer to paragraph my past and concering lower citizens excluding the one legged man =/) and have the balls to ask for help?! Bold, truly. Also, the "they'd probably steal it anyway" line showcases such ignorance and elitism that I cannot respond to it without breaking the terms of service, so I won't. Have a nice day! :) Have you ever been stolen from? I have. Do you know what its like to come home, from a dentist appointment, find your door unlocked (apparently they somehow secured a masterkey -.-;;;;), and anything electronic, dvds, cds, MY ORIGINAL COPY OF FF7 and FF8, my adorable ps1 and gamecube all missing. Things I worked so hard to earn. I was never given anything (aside from food and shelter. I <3 My Mommy.) My mother had a hard enough time paying the bills on time. I actually cried. I was so mad, but of course eventually got over it. As you can clearly see, I was offended by your words. Though, I didn't write all of this under that pretense. I wrote it to PUNISH YOU WITH READING IT ALL MWHAHHAHHAHA ha. Just kidding, but seriously, that seemed pretttty judgemental >_> kthxbai? ~lust |
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Re: Survival of the Fittest.
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by The Hermit
on 2008-04-25 07:51:56
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Your original post had an air of, "everybody else can get lost, I'm looking out for number 1". If this is not how you really feel, why do you get offended when I state my opinion based on a incorrect vision of who you are? It just seems silly to me. And because you have been robbed, this gives you the right to call anyone who is less fortunate a thief? It's a severe logical disconnect; just because some thieves are worse-off, does not mean everyone worse-off will rob you. Now, let me qualify all that by saying that, upon clarification of what you meant, you do have a good idea; there is no point in providing charity to those who will not benefit from it or have no desire to improve their station in life. However, this is not the same as saying charity is useless. I think the world, and the western world especially, could handle a bit more economic freedom than it currently does. In an ideal world, people should not have to starve with food twenty feet away because they cannot afford it. I believe everyone has the right to have food on the table, a roof over their heads, and general care when they get sick; basic physiological needs. The only problem is how to guarantee that without idiots trying to game the system to get computers, drugs, jewelry, and other luxuries. I do NOT think anyone has the "right" to luxuries. We can give you what you need to survive but if you want any of that fancy stuff you gotta work for it. |
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Re: Survival of the Fittest.
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I think he is not calling anyone a thief, but rather suggesting that in today's times, there are indeed people out there who scam you into false charities then sneak off with it and buy beer. Face it. it's true. Which is why I say to all you: donate to legitimate charities. at least know who you are donating to, and if they're official. Red Cross is always a safe bet. there have been attempts to create the Utopia that Hermit has suggested but they have seriously epic failed a long time ago. and communism is flawed by its rulers. and another note, Hermit, anyone would be offended if you accused them of something that's not even true. It's not always something you just laugh off and dismiss as silly. 
wooo maplestory |