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#1 Re: Civilization and Culture » Militarization -Before- Colonization? » 2004-04-14 03:07:53

As a newer member, and this my first post on the site, I must preface my remarks by stating I have no personal computer and have to access the net at work or the library.  As such, it may be some time before I read any replies, good or bad.  Be that as it may. . .

It's my belief that near-earth space will be militarized prior to colonization. It is an inherent part of our bilogical heritage:  conflict even exists among plant life. 

One phenomenon I've noticed over the years is that with every increase in social cohesion comes a requisite increase in violence.  We're already into WW IV;  WW III was the Cold War, where the US & the USSR used the rest of the world as chesspieces.  However, the present war will span generations, instead of years, due to the social, psychological and cultural root causes. 

(If any leader or politician--in any country--believes the "War on Terrorism" can be completed in a few years, I've got a piece of real estate he/she might be interested in.)

Along with our knowledge and ignorance, hopes and fears, our science and religion, we will be taking our capability for violence into space.  Otherwise we are no longer human, since the aggressive spark is as important as is peace.  Any evolution or development cannot be achieved without struggle.

Until Sept 2001, I had thought a real start in mulicultural and multiunational cooperation had began with the ISS.  Since then, it seems less and less likely that those levels of cooperation will remain between governments.

To a great extent, scientists and religious mystics can rise above such petty things and rechannel their aggressions into cooperation.  It remains to be seen whether the rest of the world can do so; so far, the track record hasn't been very good.

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