We, as a species, are doing a relatively good job, just look at world wide vaccine and food programs, growing self determination in former oppressive governments, international sharing of information and our attention to saving species not our own, is a growing concern. Some pessimist will dwell on our faults, but all species have faults and yet, humans are the only ones that will endanger themselves to save others not their own.

That’s not to say we don’t have individuals that through either apathy or intent won’t assist human progress (either socially or enviromently), but I believe as a species we are making progress.

It’s easy to dwell on the negative but I won’t take the pessimist side. If we are taking 2 steps back for everyone forward, our entire planet would be worst then Somalia. As for other animals sacificing themselves for other species I don’t see it.

Also, isn’t it amazing the same people who praise the “simple” lifestyles of black africans who live in grasshuts, dirt floors and open sewers are usually the same people that heap scorn and direspect for white appalachian poor or mid-western “hicks” for their simple lifestyle.

Like I said, if living in the wild or scrapping a living off out of the dirt is better, than go an do it, but I have a feeling people who say it is better is probable to much of a pussy to actually attempt it. It is much easiler to complain about ones unhappiness than to actually take ones one advice. Als0, the use of “sics” to point out spelling errors on other poster’s comment does indication a certain amount of self-acknowledged superiority (also know a elitism)

Also, the only people who are keeping Africa improvished is Africans. They are not stupid people, nor are they children. They have educated individuals and world experience to assist them to grow and prosper, yet they don’t use it because their problem is tribalism.

In your wet dreams pussyboy.

Good points Phyr, I believe most here agree with you. It’s the knuckleheads, like Caio and Reboot, that spout PC comments and are always (as one other person said) “… gets [their] rag on to again champion the white guilt” that show no matter how much one claims to be educated, they are just a petty, self-haters and malcontents.

Suicide rates have been mentioned quite a bit about “happiness”, but there are numerous studies that show suicides are not a good indicator of contentment and social norms must be taken into account, such as religion or certain aspects of particular societies. The higher the income, or the higher status of an individual, suicide rates are higher than lower incomes or status. Some social scienctist say we are happier in the attempt of success, than in actually reaching successfullness, because many believe successfullness means complete happiness and that is not so (which can be so depressing that suicide is often acted on).

My own case in point. As a man in his mid 40’s, who grew up borderline poor in the appalachians, who now makes a 6 figure salary, has no real debt and has a family that anyone would be proud of, I can said I am now successful. But truth be told, I was happiest as a lowly enlisting serviceman doing an extremely dangerous job and raising a young family on very low wages, because I had something to try to advance to. Now that I am there, the only real challenge I have is to twist people like Caio and Reboot’s panties into a bunch by not agreeing with their limited world view (which is actually to easy, but still worth it). Oh well, I ordered a decked-out Mini Cooper a few weeks ago and it should coming in shortly, going to Mini Rallies and to ball games (go O’s) should fill in my time between making fun of the Caios and Reboots of this world.