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The greatest threat to western civilization. (xpost from r/funny) (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by Aleco06

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[–]jerrybery 15 points16 points ago

Give credit:

http://wumocomicstrip.com/

[–]newbstorm 23 points24 points ago

I do realize that this is a subReddit about reducing our consumption and I agree that Western civilization's hyperconsumption is absurd. Though this comic is absurd too.

It really is the greatest threat to western civilization, well any civilization at all. If this was the case, there wouldn't be any specialization of skills. The point of a civilization at its root is to allow for the specialization of an individual's skill set and time so that they may can create a society. Not everyone needs to grow their own food and handcraft every tool they need. That would be a waste of the limited time we have here on Earth.

[–]jeffmolby 14 points15 points ago

It really is the greatest threat to western civilization, well any civilization at all.

No, for something to be a "threat", there needs to be a realistic scenario in which it could happen. Trade was a part of our culture well before we even started to write down our history. Even in the event of a global catastrophe, there would likely still be some trade. The idea that society as a whole would ever get down anywhere near zero trade is clearly absurd and therefore not a threat.

The point of the comic is that some people can and do drop out of the economy while others drastically minimize their involvement. This poses a real threat to our society because our economic system is essentially a ponzi scheme and needs a steady increase in overall consumption. If enough people slashed their consumption, the whole system would crash. That's why everyone panics whenever the economy contracts by even a fraction of a percent.

A saner system would be more elastic and wouldn't face this threat.

[–]silverionmox 3 points4 points ago

Not everyone needs to grow their own food and handcraft every tool they need. That would be a waste of the limited time we have here on Earth.

As opposed to working in call centers, at factory lines and in cubicle farms?

[–]VYBNFC 2 points3 points ago

The point of a civilization at its root is to allow for the specialization of an individual's skill set and time [...]

What about law, order, justice, and such things?

EDIT: Serial comma.

[–]newbstorm 3 points4 points ago

In this layout, they would be byproducts to ensure the ability of a specialized individual to function and survive in society. Law provides order which in turn provides justice, all three provide the stability necessary for the individual to specialize in skills not directly related to survival necessities, but indirectly attribute in the collective society’s survival and overall health.

The blacksmith that experiments and manufactures better instruments for the farmer, he needs stability to function. He isn’t actively producing his food; and without law, order and justice, he wouldn’t be able to eat or would otherwise need to concern himself more with his basic survival. By not having these three keystones, he has to take away more of his time and ability to specialize. This becomes even truer the further away you get from the production of agriculture.

Society is spurred by that specialization and so it has created law, order and justice to protect it. If everyone was out for themselves and were able to produce everything they need, they wouldn’t need those three keystones of civilization. Since we have specialized individuals, we have the need for them.

By the way, if you imminently edit a post, it doesn't count as an edit. I think you have a few minutes to do so.

[–]Hughtub 4 points5 points ago

We buy things when the advantage to buy surpasses the cost. As long as there is a hypothetically more efficient way to accomplish our happiness or save us time/energy, we will buy new things.

[–]Aleco06[S] 1 point2 points ago

This statement meant exactly nothing to me. We buy when we need, and that is how it should be. People in western society have perverted the idea of "things" and completely misunderstood their purpose in life. Most people don't even realize the cost of the thing they are buying. You think that wonderful house you just bought only cost you a measly $200k? Try that plus 30 years of your life.

[–]Hughtub 0 points1 point ago

Then you're talking about long-term cost, which is something I'm afraid only intelligent people plan for and valuate. Socialist policies increasingly lead to short-term planning, since government tries to increasingly monopolize any long-term planning (health insurance, social security).

[–]Aleco06[S] 1 point2 points ago

Maybe it's just the human in me, but planning your life out monetarily seems like one of the most disgusting things you could possibly do. I don't manage my life like an account.

[–]n35 0 points1 point ago

Not a monetary account, but a possession account maybe?

[–]n35 0 points1 point ago

Since when do we know our purpose in life? Apart from a pure biological purpose, to re-produce, the rest is all just a bunch of crap human society imposes on everyone.

I also like how you say "their" purpose, suggesting that you somehow found "your" purpose, apart from a personal position on what life's purpose is, then you can't really say what the purpose of others are, thus suggesting that you cant say everyone else has misunderstood.

The only real purpose, from an evolutionary standpoint, is to reproduce. To exist. Not to have little stuff, or a lot of stuff, or contribute to anything other than the gene-pool.

[–]Athelwulf 5 points6 points ago

No, it's a threat to capitalism and the overly consuming orientated market that blew up in the 20th Century. A threat to Western Civilisation would be if farmers decided to stop being a farmer and just slept in the field all day and did jack all.

[–]jaurk 1 point2 points ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK5RaHpI4M8

[–]digdog7 1 point2 points ago

I would say that poor education and theism is the biggest threat

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