Creating a Non Violent World - Is it Really Possible?

simple answer. no. too many factors don't allow it. humans are too random as is our nature. the only way to do this is along the lines of the movie equilibrium, awesome movie btw, or the matrix etc where we are completely and utterly controlled. even then it doesn't work

Let me say that this submission is something that has stuck in my head over the last month. It took me some time to think about and some further media observation after one or two readings. First let me address the conclusion. "... the most effective means to communicate ideas is through writing." I believe that instead of just writing, it takes GOOD writing. There is a tremendous differences between writing and good writing and the effectiveness, benefits, and results of good writing in communication is far greater just mediocre or poor writing. I do not consider myself a good writer, but I try.

The routine violence and manipulation of violence as a solution through the media is apparent. look at the Popeye cartoons, Popeye opens a can of spinach and beats up someone and the problem is solved, every episode. This is just one example there are plenty more - Batman and Robin, Superman, the Hulk, Power Rangers, the Lone Ranger, GI Joe, ...

I am not entirely against the use of violence. I am for peace and even for turning the other cheek. The idea of "using collective empowerment." as an alternative to violence reminds me of my favorite western film "Shane'. A classic tale of homesteaders versus cattle ranchers. In this story, the homesteaders sincerely tried to stick together and use collective empowerment to deal with the hostile cattle ranchers. The cattle ranchers dealt with the troublesome homesteaders by going after them one by one. Shane was the "hero" who solved the homesteaders problems with violence.
I do not know if we will ever live in a world without violence. Whether it is a conflict between one group of people who want to use land for growing food and another group of people who want to use the land for grazing cattle. If it is one group of people who want to live in a place that is the land God promised unto them or or group of people who have lived in that same land for thousands of years. If there is one group of people that that the for communist country should be divided up one way and another group insisting that it be divided up another. "Land Reform" will always equate to war and the stronger side will win.

well after guilting me into it...now i can say i read the whole piece...and it was good...too long and complicated for the illiterate majority i would imagine but still good =P lol

empathy is the first step to thinking outside of the ego...
unfortunately the cynic in me thinks that there will always be some retawded alpha male wanting to flex his muscles. Violence is re-enforced by lifestyle but domination is characteristically found in animals and humans.
As for humans on a collective scale....well to start...we haven't evolved past entertaining ourselves by watching two guys pummel the wits out of each other...ohhh id say for about 4k yrs?!?!?!

I often wonder if its possible myself but then i witness the concept of authority pointing it's guns and physically enforcing the corporacratic idea of "peace" proving to be the dominating concept.

The problem is that humans haven't found a way to make peace and empathy profitable on a grand corporate scale. Peace and empathy are outside the realm of ego and greed...bridge the gap FTW!!

and yes my sarcasm is harsh and often misinterpreted. =P

Wow ablindeye, I am not sure if you are dead serious or being flippant.

Violence is a learned behavior, how many babies have you seen birthed from the womb and ready to be warriors? Babies need to be nurtured within minutes of birth or they suffer. A newborn baby that is left without human contact for a day will likely die. Why would we as a species be born in such a vulnerable state if violence were meant to be the norm?

Violence is taught in the home either by the parents, or by the TV. Later it is reinforced in school and movies and the streets.

Did you even read the paper I posted or did you just comment on the stream and the topic? Just curious.

ok

i personally think that people need to have peace physically beaten into them...then maybe waterboarded til they fully come around. I think the only way to reach peace is through violence...and lots of it. like clusters and nerve gas....violence is the only thing thick headed humans respond to...kinda like animals...just got to beat the crap out of em to get em to do what you want, right? lol

and don't say violence...say aggressive negotiations...
don't say torture...say alternative interrogation tactics...
don't say abuse...say...well actually abuse we can just ignore.
and finally...don't say war....say conflict...or humanitarian relief effort.

If you are an advocate of peace...then you don't support the troops, put them in extreme danger, and therefore must be a terrorist...

I personally support the troops because they cleanse the bad people from the earth and make it a safer place. Don't you love your freedom? Our freedom does not rely on pacifists...it relies on our military might to protect us from all evil doers around the world.
finally...don't say Peace..say Passive Existence Accepting Collective Ego.

ace,
i don't see emotions in nature. I see humans imposing the concept of emotions on nature. I do not see animals eating other animals as a violent act. It may be disturbing for humans to watch this happen but that does not make it violent from that animals point of view. Sure, we are animals too. But we have the advantage/disadvantage of a brain that complicates the world around us. We have developed an attachment to life in this physical form. I wonder if animals are as attached to life they way we are. Sure, they have what is needed to avoid pain but does that mean they label that which causes them pain a "violent" experience? I don't think we can know that. If we can stop putting labels on the world around us we may be able to see the freedom and perfection that it is. Our brain has built the walls around us. What would it be like if we did things from a natural motivation and not thought based?

The flower analogy is flawed; because we are not flowers, we are animals. Watch the discovery channel and see the beauty AND violence of animals in action. Even the weather is, by and large, violent. Then you can go as far as look at something like the Venus Flytrap; a flower that lives thanks to cruelty and deception. These are natural characteristics.

Emotions, too, stem from nature. Jealousy, lust, anger, they can all be exhibited by animals, and are all exhibited by us.

Yes, nature is beautiful, but let's be real, too.

I also find it ironic that the Quran is used as refutation of something Nietzsche said. We all have a moral obligation to each other, and most of us recognize that. From Jesus to Kant, the most basic moral phrase has been, "Do to others only what you would have them to do you."

But I do think it is worth bettering ourselves. I don't think we will ever be free entirely from violence (Is a non-violent world in reference to humanity, or the world as a whole?) but we can try. It's all about introspection and self control. Twodee, for instance, realized the language they were using could be considered violent, and apologized. Good for Twodee.

I do not mean to appear cynical or dismissive of what any of you are attempting to do. I am merely trying to be rational and realistic. I have observed violence in many forms, from hurricanes, to mob justice, and to overcome this requires not only changing the world, but a brand new world too.

What I have discovered from my quest into this subject is that everything is possible if we speak and care about it. We need to wake up to the reality of personal power and collective action. Our fundamental global ideology needs to change from a focus on me to a focus on us.

Ace you wrote:

Nature is violent, so, unless we can get rid of nature--and our relation to it--it's impossible.

To paraphrase Nietzsche, the only thing that stops us from becoming animals is our moral code.

Are you talking about human nature? Ego?

Nature is perfect and beautiful. Tell me what do flowers do in order to exist and attract admirers? Hmmm?

Our moral code is what has brought us to the brink of destruction. Our moral code is what separates us from one another and makes us kill each other for not following "Our Moral Code". Whose moral code? The Bible? The Koran?

The truth is found in Anarchy where nature is free to be violent and cherished and respected and admired. Nature may chastise us with the force of her winds, rain, earthquakes and floods, but Nature has also blessed us with flowers, sunsets, incredible and indescribable beauty.

In order to achieve non violence we must recognize that we are not separate from nature or any other living thing in the universe, we are one with it, and therefore it deserves our love and respect because we love and respect ourselves.

Twodee, thank you so much for checking out my paper and commenting. I really liked what you said about:

One key element I am learning to work with is not to throw the other person's belief on the floor while filling the space with my belief. I see a lot of that in these threads and that it serves as a good example of what NOT to do.

Thank you so much for this comment because it is a reminder that first and foremost we must empty ourselves of preconceived notions in order to listen and understand more fully and deeply the position or communication from the other person. How can we be listening if we are so full of ourselves?

LOL. my post may have been a good example of violent communication. Sorry.

Your declaration of this effort as being "imposable" says to me that making an effort towards bettering one's self is not worth doing. Is that what you mean?

so you say two things. "Nature is Violent" and "as long as there are emotions, there will be violence."

Does nature have emotions?

Do you think emotions override all else in human experience?

Do you see humans as other than nature?

Who said anything about that? I am just saying that as long as there are emotions, there will be violence. I do two hours of meditation a day, go on long walks, and talk openly to strangers. I don't know why you feel the need to browbeat me into agreeing with you.

i guess that means it is a done deal case closed for you Ace. No need in trying to better yourself?

Nature is violent, so, unless we can get rid of nature--and our relation to it--it's impossible.

To paraphrase Nietzsche, the only thing that stops us from becoming animals is our moral code.

jubal. i printed and read your paper last night. Great stuff! Non-Violent communication has entered my life recently on several levels. This is a practice that so many of us have no real grasp of. As I practice and learn and watch communications happen it is amazing to see how the simple act of communication is not so simple. One key element I am learning to work with is not to throw the other person's belief on the floor while filling the space with my belief. I see a lot of that in these threads and that it serves as a good example of what NOT to do.

I am positive that the media focuses on violence because it sells. Media companies exist to make money. Whether it is a comic book, television show, new broadcast, printed article, comic book or other form of "for sale" or "commercial" media, they have to turn a profit to exist. I do believe things are changing for the better in some areas. I also know that violent images will always be frequent on newspaper and magazine covers. I think that in the area of children targeted media, things are much better than before.

Prolly not possible. If I could I'd happily knock the soup outta GWB.