[kj] First amongt equals

[gregslawson at aol.com]

There are lots of reasons why societies are advanced or not. A lot has to do with climate & agriculture (read the book "Germs, Guns & Steel"). But remember, societies in Africa and Asia (China) were very advanced in previous times, while Europe was livin' primitive (like in the Monty Python movies). 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: peter.west410 <peter.west410 at ntlworld.com>
To: A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!) <gathering at misera.net>
Sent: Mon, 25 Apr 2005 15:16:09 +0100
Subject: Re: [kj] First amongt equals


I dont think their societies  ever took a collective decision not to
progress,they just did nt and I know the reason why.

"Who decides what is advanced and what is the best way to live?"

If you know the meaning of the word "Advanced"(Apologies for sounding
abrupt,I dont mean it personally) then its easy to say .But on the matter of
which is the best way to live,thats a good point and i suppose its up to the
individual person to make that decision.
    But one yard-stick could be that "developed" people have a much longer
life-span then the "less-developed"

         PW


----- Original Message -----
From: "Phillipps Marc" <Marc.Phillipps at enfield.nhs.uk>
To: "'A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!)'"
<gathering at misera.net>; "Alex Smith" <vassifer at earthlink.net>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2005 2:58 PM
Subject: RE: [kj] First amongt equals


> >A thousand years ago ,living in mud huts was common the world
> >over,some people have progressed out of them and some havent.
> >Call it what you like,But you cant disagree with the facts.
>
> The fact that some societies have decided that living in mud huts (or
caves
> etc) isn't what they want does not necessarily denote progression, rather
it
> shows a different set of priorities . . .
>
> To suggest that a society in Africa (or wherever) is less advanced because
> they haven't decided to live by your ideals smacks of the Victorian
> missionary ethos ("they're not Christian and therefore need pulling into
the
> 19th century whether they want it or not")
>
> Who decides what is advanced and what is the best way to live?
>
>




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