I certainly also recognize there are other factors, but I think they pale when compared against our technological advancements. Technology in terms of general human betterment is unparalleled. This planet can not sustain a population of 7 billion without technological means of food production. Refrigeration another huge boon for food. Advances in medicine mean more people survive childhood and general illness as well. Technology enables most of our sanitation efforts which is also massive towards the betterment of human life.
None of this can be duplicated with non-technological means. We can’t pray our way to better sanitation. We can’t even sacrifice our way to better sanitation on any meaningful scale. But pumps and plumbing do the job magnificently.
I then think all of this contributes to lower violence and now I’m trying to tease out how much the other factors contribute. One of the possible other factors is cooperation and/or easier empathy. Can either of these do more good for a group of people than improved plumbing? I personally, don’t think so but I want to see if anyone has any good data that shows otherwise.
I certainly also recognize there are other factors, but I think they pale when compared against our technological advancements. Technology in terms of general human betterment is unparalleled. This planet can not sustain a population of 7 billion without technological means of food production. Refrigeration another huge boon for food. Advances in medicine mean more people survive childhood and general illness as well. Technology enables most of our sanitation efforts which is also massive towards the betterment of human life.
None of this can be duplicated with non-technological means. We can’t pray our way to better sanitation. We can’t even sacrifice our way to better sanitation on any meaningful scale. But pumps and plumbing do the job magnificently.
I then think all of this contributes to lower violence and now I’m trying to tease out how much the other factors contribute. One of the possible other factors is cooperation and/or easier empathy. Can either of these do more good for a group of people than improved plumbing? I personally, don’t think so but I want to see if anyone has any good data that shows otherwise.