The Age of Despair

 The world has been accustomed to the idea that overtime conditions will improve. History demonstrates that this goes in cycles. There can be periods of calm that descend into tumult. The past centuries have seen war, dramatic economic and political change. After World War II and the Cold War there was a sense of optimism . The hope for a peaceful and tolerant world was unrealistic. Empires collapsed, new states emerged, and resources became more scarce. War, poverty, and hate still plague humankind. These have been common ills through the course of human history,  yet responses to them have varied. The contemporary period is unique in the regard to  cultural and political paradigm shifts. World leaders do not have new or dynamic visions for society's improvement. Bold ambition or change has been abandoned for the sake of a simple management system. Most states function on this despite the urgent need to adjust to modern challenges. Both liberal democracies and authoritarian regimes advocate a general management system for the sake of remaining in power. The neoliberal capitalist system has caused social and economic disruption. People who were once financially secure are at greater risk of falling into poverty; not due to fault of their own, rather economic policy that benefits a wealthy elite. The means of resistance is being stifled  by online censorship, governments attempting to reduce civil liberties, and condemning dissent by mass media. Seeing as the conventional avenues for change are not effective and mass movements are targeted for repression, people may just disengage. Some are so oppressed they are struggling for basic survival. Starvation, disease, and unemployment reduces the ranks of  a potential revolutionary  global mass movement. World revolution taking place in which the pyramid structure of society being overthrown is out of reach. Human civilization may be going backward rather than a positive advance. There may not be a future in which the world population prospers. This is not speculation or hyperbolic cynicism ; the age of despair has brought the end of the blind optimism that was adopted by foreign policy, economic, and political observers. 

     The rapid expansion of warfare has continued without interruption. The root of  various conflicts are the result of economic factors , large power competition, national and racial hatreds. War has been a part of human history and  it will never be stopped. The major problem now is that warfare has been launched in the name of the promotion of liberal democracy. African, Asian, and Latin American nations are the targets of the US-EU block. Eastern European nations and  the Balkans are also singled out, because traditionally Western Europe did have domination in these regions. Russia when it became a major world power was looked upon with fear. The global focus turns more so against China because of its economic influence. A pandemic did not even slow tension or conflict. Instead, there seems to be a growing movement to blame the entire deaths around the world  and the pandemic itself on China. While this is a hyperbole expressed by anti-Chinese racism, the real motive is to prepare other nations for military action against China. The US has in particular been more hostile to China and change in administration does not change policy. The US and Europe need enemies to justify large armies and a profitable military industrial complex. A paradigm shift is occurring in the way war is presented as normal to the public. The War on Terror will gradually replaced with the concept of the China-Russia axis. This will not be a new Cold War, rather it might escalate into mass global conflict. While large power competition occurs between the US, China, and Russia other conflict zones are becoming more active. Ethiopia's internal conflict with the Tigray  has spilled over into Sudan. Saudi Arabia continues to wage endless war on Yemen. This resulted in Iran arming Houthi  rebels as a counter. Libya has become a safe haven for terrorist organizations with instability similar to Somalia. India and China are having border disputes that could push the two countries to war if not resolved. Pakistan having better diplomatic relations with China,  would likely get involved. Afghanistan remains unstable with the Taliban and Haqqani still active. US-NATO forces are fighting a conflict without end. The situation grows more precarious as certain resources such as clean drinking water and fossil fuels become limited. 

       The predominance of the neoliberal capitalist system and the upper class elite have caused growing  social inequality. Globalization has caused outsourcing, displacement of workers, and massive economic exploitation. Social mobility becomes more out of reach, even in countries with a substantial amount  of wealth. More people will fall into poverty in the coming years due to the avarice of the ruling elite. Nations across the world are seeing a rise in anti- government protests. France, Germany, the US, and UK will continue to see demonstrations related to growing income inequality. Youth are in particular effected worse dealing with growing student loan debt and low paying jobs that barely meet their needs. Housing, healthcare,  food, and fuel prices continue to increase while wages remain stagnant. Simultaneously, the business leaders have seen astronomical profits and gains in net worth. The average citizen does not have economic power, beyond the ability to consume. Labor unions have become weak and ineffective. Workers have limited options for resistance or organization that advocates for them. The consequence of this is the gradual disappearance of the middle class and a working class stuck in permanent servitude. The notion that the next generation will live a better life has proven a mere illusion. Globally, living standards could decline due to the manipulation of the international neoliberal capitalist elite. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund  have produced policies that do not work for the developing nations. Instead it has locked most into debt, which they can never escape. The 2008 global financial crash and the erratic markets of 2020 demonstrate that the economic system is never stable. Unemployment, homelessness, and food insecurity are becoming more common, resulting from fiscal austerity and cuts to basic social services. The survival of the citizen is not ensured by the neoliberal capitalist economic network. 

      Citizens of the world can no longer expect governments to do anything for them. No matter what system of government, be it democratic or despotic has a vision for improvement of the general welfare. The only objective most governments have is to remain in power. Amassing political power means nothing if it has no practical direction. The political crisis today is one of  ineffective management and the promotion of the status quo. The world does not need inept managers; it needs leaders. What this means is that heads of state must work to make dramatic change. Problems need immediate solutions, because the masses are struggling. If no action is taken, the population will become more vulnerable to extremist  political ideology. Xenophobic nativist nationalism and neo-fascist movements are becoming popular due to economic and cultural circumstances brought on by globalism. If there is no counter to this basic rights and democratic systems of government could vanish. This is why governments must be proactive in providing for their citizens to make such movements less attractive. Empty platitudes or meaningless slogans are no longer going to placate the population. Material conditions worsen and all most see is inaction. When a person or movement promises some form of relief , people will be more responsive to that. The only way to contain political extremism is to maintain a functional  society. People need employment, education, housing, and healthcare. Infrastructure and the economy require care. Political figures need to be responsive to the needs of the people. If this is not done more far-right extremists or authoritarians will come to power. Leftists are not organized enough to adequately fight the far-right forces or gain power to make substantive change. 

     The contemporary period  has ushered in a new form of pessimism . Most have become discouraged that genuine change can happen. Activism has been seen as a waste in both time and effort. The pyramid structure that has been present in human civilization since permanent settlement. It would be erroneous to think it would collapse anytime soon. The feeling of longtime activists is that the battle is never ending. While, conflict is unavoidable the same problems remain present. Certain cases, it appears that human civilization is going backward. There are barriers are not always the military, police, or the general power structure. It is people who accept the world as it is or see egregious amounts oppression as normal. A section of the population may not be as harmed from the hierarchy that exists, so that belief is acceptable to them. Others do not resist simply because they do not have the power to do so. Numbers are not the only obstacle to a mass movement. People generally do not reach a developed form of political consciousness. Society actively discourages critical thinking. The media and news are no longer the vehicles for starting conversation or debate of ideas. The media exists to support the power structure, rather than challenge it. Corporate mainstream media has no interest in generating political consciousness. If enough people had alternative sources of information, then much of the power structure would lose support. The only reason the establishment  remains powerful   is that people are compliant. The idea that the system works, but has a few flaws is an often repeated myth. Thus there are people actively preventing progress, those ignorant to corruption, and people who have accepted defeat. Disillusion and pessimism  give way to apathy. The world is stuck in a general state of apathy. However, sometimes there is no other choice but to resist. The world population will  eventually come to this conclusion, but conditions will have to get critically worse to spark a reaction. 

       The age of despair has become characterized by war, poverty, racism, and decline of standards of living. These ills have been present throughout history, but circumstances are different in this period. The rapid social and political gains are being reversed. Humanity has more power now than ever to cause its own destruction. The presence of nuclear weapons always increases that danger, but the rate of environmental damage is not slowing. Climate change is not taken seriously and overtime will put lives at risk. Thinking about the future only produces ominous images. Observers of the past tended to have the view of exponential improvement of world civilization. The blind optimism of the past has been crushed by the lugubrious political reality. The technological and egalitarian future has become a fiction. Defenders of the optimist point of view, say that compared to the past , the human  condition has vastly improved. That perspective lacks cogency for a number of reasons. It ignores that fact that current economic system is impoverishing  the population. Warfare is conducted in the name of human rights and democracy promotion. The result of this has been civilian deaths and mass refugee migration. The worst part about this is that United Nations enables world powers to wage aggressive war. As long as the UN remains superpower dominated a global peace is not be attainable. Change may seem futile when examining the list of problems facing the modern world. There are solutions. The first is to have a global anti-war  movement to stop the push for military intervention in various nations. The UN must be reformed to counter abuse from major world powers. The neoliberal capitalist economic system needs to be dismantled. World leaders must reconnect with the people they govern. If this can be done, the age of despair will be a strange historical anomaly.  

A Condemnation of Censorship

When an argument for the support of censorship is made, it is justified advocates claim for the protection of the public. Censorship is an act of  oppression on multiple levels.It attempts to halt free speech, thought, or opposing views. At its worst it stifles intellectual curiosity.While these seem like minor violations of basic right it can escalate to another extreme. Imprisonment, persecution,  or death can be the devastating consequences of censorship. This has become a attribute of authoritarian systems, but democratic systems are not immune either. Free speech and press remain fragile when measures are taken in the name of national security. Even moderate levels of censorship could be potentially dangerous. The advocates of this type of censorship want to prevent offending various groups or people. This seems misguided. What may be offensive to one person could be different from another individual's perspective. Censoring media or print does not hide the reality of society's prejudices and intolerance. Policing language becomes more restrictive rather than a tool for social change. What this does is only silence debate. Censorship does not do the public a service. Censorship is the desire to control what people think, feel, read,or watch.
         It cannot be denied that censorship is a form of oppression. What it seeks to do is stop independent thought. When a person is no longer able to reason for themselves, they will be subject to easier manipulation. There is also an emotional response component. The information presented to a individual has to induce a certain reaction. The message could either be telling a person how to feel about a certain group or take a particular political position.  Truth and falsehood can no longer be deciphered. There is a war on critical thinking in which opposing views are either considered conspiracy theory or nonsense. Free speech continually is under threat from both political and corporate power. Populations that do not utilize critical thinking can easily be misled by various institutions in society. The ability to decipher information is more important now than ever. The average person has more access to information than at any point in human history. This may be the last bit of hope,but the ruling class of  various societies want to stop people from getting access. A population that has critical thinking skills or is educated cannot be controlled. The desire is to create conformity in thought and action. Putting people in an imposed state of ignorance is nothing new. The enslaved in the Americas were not taught to read for fear they would question why they were in slavery. Women were denied education, because it would make them question their lower status in society. Peasants were kept in ignorance of their condition in Europe to prevent revolts which would change the feudal order. Since these periods of oppression and social change, there has been improvement in conditions.   
        The worst acts of censorship come from the restriction on press freedom. Governments attempt to silence people who oppose certain policies. Liberal democracies have another issue,which involves the mass media being controlled by a few corporations. The result is a population thinking they are getting unbiased and new information when they are not. Authoritarian governments are more blatant about their disdain for press freedom. Uganda and Saudi Arabia for example have been known to persecute journalists or be involved in their disappearance. The murder of Jamal Khashoggi by the Saudi government demonstrates oppressive governments are willing to liquidate their own citizens who oppose the system. The United States seeks to imprison Julian Assange for documents he put on Wikileaks regarding the Iraq and Afghan wars. The liberal democracies seek to also silence opposing views,but it is done in a more covert manner. They simply do not have the political power and force of a dictatorship has to violate basic human rights to the same degree. The troubling aspect in liberal democracies is the abnormal amount of corporate influence on print and television news. If a group of corporations owns papers and networks they can stop certain stories from being reported that do not suit their objectives. Alternative media has arisen to counter the corporate news model, yet it is often presented as being fringe or based in conspiracy theory. Societies that pride themselves of free expression allow various views to be presented, yet the fact is media shapes one perspective.  The reader or viewer of media is kept in a state of ignorance about the reality of political and economic conditions.
         Prior to television or the internet books were a source of recording information. Prior to that oral traditions were common in various societies. Censorship has a long history of banning books or simply destroying them. The Catholic Church had a list of banned books considered blasphemous. During the Middle Ages it was possible to be burned at the stake for questioning religion. Nicholas Copernicus did not even publish his heliocentric theory during his lifetime for fear of punishment by the Church. Giordano Bruno was executed for promoting the Copernican model. Institutions that dislike the truth will always want to suppress numerous texts. If they cannot stop people from reading certain books, they are eliminated. The execution of people or the destruction of books has continued into the modern era. The 20th century did see similar behavior related to extreme censorship with totalitarian states in Europe. Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and the Soviet Union went to obsessive lengths to prevent any written material getting to the public that challenged their ideology. A common practice in the Third Reich was to burn books. If books were not in line with ideas of race supremacy or militarism they were simply liquidated. Fiction works were also subject to book burning. Works of satire or comedy can be a threat to rulers or institutions that want to present their convictions as ultimate truths. If a lie can not be sustained, then war on truth must be waged. Public schools have even been known to ban books they deem to controversial  or inappropriate for students. Reading can give the people the power of knowledge and awareness, which many ruling elites want to prevent.
       The argument for censorship lacks credibility. The excuse is either for the instance of public safety or the notion certain thoughts  should not be spoken. Governments make the argument that press and free speech need restriction to ensure national security. What the real concern for them is exposure of possible abuses or illegal activities. The NSA was doing  mass surveillance of US citizens who had nothing to do with terrorist organizations. Edward Snowden exposed these programs in 2013 and ever since he has been demonized or prevented from explaining on mainstream media. There is no evidence that his links caused a spike in terrorist attacks or endangered people working in the CIA or NSA. The only actions that endanger national security is being in a permanent  state of warfare, not public awareness of  NSA programs. Moderate censorship may not be as severe as the national security or public safety argument, but still raises concerns. This extends into the concept of political correctness and what is deemed offensive. Advocates argue that certain language or speech should not be spoken on the basis it can offend certain groups. This can extend to ethnic, religious, or sexual orientation identification. The problem with this is that it is stifling free expression. What may be considered offensive to one person may not be to another. What is considered obscene or lascivious can also vary among individuals and culture. This attempt to create a safe space really only accomplishes the illusion of an inclusive atmosphere. Censoring films, TV,  social media, or any other medium does not eliminate racism, sexism, homophobia, or religious intolerance. The result is that discussion and debate are neutralized, because there are some topics that are forbidden to talk about. Free speech seems to be okay until somebody hears a view they do not like. Far-right extremists make the argument that they are having their free speech restricted, but their real intent is just to insight violence and hate. Moderate censorship cannot distinguish the difference between general disagreement and extremist thought. This leaves tech companies in a more precarious situation when their platforms are used for hate groups or terrorist organizations to organize. The government will just use that as an excuse for more regulation and censorship.
      Censorship has caused major damage throughout history. It has attacked the arts,sciences, and even free thought itself. Humanity has reached a new age in which knowledge and information is ubiquitous. Governments and the ruling classes of the world may not be able to manipulate or control populations like they used to. However, the threat of censorship has remained present along with disturbing new developments. Fake news is not a recent phenomenon due to the fact newspapers of the past were filled with bias or false information. The problem is that people of their own free will are believing what they read without serious examination. People may be willing to believe anything if it correlates to their opinions, even if the facts state other wise. The internet and social media provide a vast scope of various perspectives and information, but people require the critical thinking skills to decipher what they are reading. As there is a greater movement to dismantle net neutrality, this means censorship could reach a whole new level. This means users will have access to only certain websites under the direction of internet service providers. Censorship will become more prevalent in the future seeing as the average person has more access to information. The movement for more censorship must be resisted. Ignorance and philistine attitudes can be lethal to free society. Now more than ever it is the public must be vigilant of corruption and government abuse. There is no good reason for censorship,other than protecting the powerful. Knowledge was meant to be free and open to everyone. Censorship seeks to keep  people isolation and darkness.               

The Need For Scientific Literacy

As technology advances and more discoveries are made the world population must have a level of scientific literacy. The lay person must at minimum a basic understanding of biology, astronomy, chemistry, and mathematics. Humanity through the power of computer science has more access to information than ever before. This requires certain skills people must obtain to decipher enormous amounts of information. Science and its method of verification can contribute to the full understanding of the world.Such methods are essential to critical thinking skills and aid in a less credulous public. The post-industrial society has become more knowledge based. Mastery and comprehension of science has almost become a requirement. This is not only important to economics, nation-states, but to the very quality of  civilization itself. When a society becomes philistine it will cease to grow or prosper. Religious fundamentalism, superstition,  and irrationality are the symbols of a rapidly declining civilization. The global population must must have a strong comprehension of the sciences. Reading and writing  levels are used as measurements in geographic data in terms of  educational attainment in various nations of the world. Scientific literacy should be a part of such data. Having such knowledge can prevent various problems. Learning about science can provide a guideline for reasoned thought. It can prevent manipulation of the public by giving them the skills and tools to question information presented to them. Scientific knowledge can even be applied to daily life. There still is a vast portion of the public that rejects science, even though they are living in a technology based world. Science can have a positive effect on society as long as it does not become dogmatic. Scientism should not be a replacement for the monotheism that is prevalent around the globe. The goal should be for the whole of the world to embrace knowledge and discovery. 

           The scientific method at its core is a technique of fact verification. Too often opinion, ideology, and fact are confused with one another. Facts can be proven with evidence. The scientific method uses observation, experimentation, and data collection to produce facts. During this process it must have the ability to be reproduced. If experiments cannot be replicated then a proposed hypothesis is just a mere theory. The scientific method uses an immense amount of critical thinking. Applying such a technique is helpful in a society in which mass amounts of information is available. The information a person consumes may not always be entirely accurate. There needs to be a means of  deciphering large amounts of information when it is constantly flowing. The most important aspect of the scientific method is that experiments can be replicated to produce the same results. Whenever a study is released claiming a particular position, the observer should utilize these techniques to question what is being presented. Statistics can often be used to confirm a bias, however when examined fully another element can be presented. Science can be to a degree a type of investigation. A person almost takes on a role of detective when discovering the attributes of the natural world and existence. Fact verification has become more important now with multiple sources of information active on a consistent basis. The scientific method can provide a basic blueprint for avoiding confusion about the nature of the world.
         Science has relevance to human experience on both a personal and society wide level. Biomedical science and health are important to many populations. Biology, anatomy, and physiology explain the attributes of the human body. The human population is now living longer than ever before. The public must have a strong understanding of anatomy, biology, and physiology for the sake of  maintaining optimum health. Besides personal choice , genetics, and environment health can be effected by a lack of knowledge. If one was never educated about the function and nature of the human body it would be difficult to maintain good health. Learning about nutrition, diet, and general health science can improve public health and quality of life. Often when patients visit a doctor they may have a difficult time describing a certain aliment. Doctors are left either guessing what a disease or medical condition is because a person may have difficulty describing it in specific terms. Having the knowledge of biomedical science could assist with improvement to  individual and public health. Scientific knowledge can also help protect against medical malpractice. There are many drugs that are sold to the public that have adverse side effects. Many doctors prescribe them knowing the side effects. Unless a patient has some knowledge about drugs on the the market, they could be vulnerable to such malpractice. Governments often fail to protect citizens from pharmaceutical corporations that could be producing drugs that are potentially harmful. Basic knowledge related to health science is required to maintain a stable condition for public health. Understanding of the human body can contribute to improving public health and quality of life.
         The need for scientific literacy also has relevance for a changing economic structure. The worker of the technology based world will have to have more skills. Technology has already changed the nature of the global economy and the labor force. Most worker will need a university education or more to be competitive. It will be a work environment that requires a commitment to life long learning. There is a possibility that many jobs and various occupations will disappear due to robotics and artificial intelligence. Most manual labor jobs or low skilled work may vanish in the coming centuries. Children will have to be educated in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields to fill future job positions. Information technology has become so much a part of global society that most of the world's population comes into contact with it. There remains a digital divide in some regions of the world,but it is only a matter of time before this disappears. Much like the spread of automobiles, radio, television, or nuclear technology personal computers and internet access will be ubiquitous on every continent. While younger people are more open to learning about new technology, older people must learn to adapt to change. Technology continues to be a part of daily life and resisting change will only cause certain people to fall behind. The global population will need basic computer skills and a general knowledge of computer science. The future requires a strong emphasis on scientific literacy. If this is not done economic stability could be jeopardized. Public education will have to be readjusted to meet the needs of the emerging techoscientific society. Knowledge and awareness should be the major goal of a modern education. Scientific literacy can make an improved workforce,, which can maintain economic health.
         Scientific literacy is needed to combat the rise of misinformation, falsehoods, and a growing anti-intellectual movement. There are falsehoods that are commonly presented as factual among global society. Climate change has been vigorous denied even though it is a fact of geological history. Evolution still has a sizable amount of opposition, which is so great that intelligent design is taught in some public schools. Technology has in general seen as a negative development with some calling for the return to a pre-technological society. Superstition and religious fundamentalism has become the enemy of  rational thought. Such blind devotion has become ubiquitous. There is almost a blur between organized religion and the extreme fanaticism. The dogmatic thinking and blind worship suspends critical thinking skills. It makes populations easier to control and manipulate for political purposes. Dogma can effect any area of life. Science can even fall victim to it. Scientism represents a worship of the sciences to an extent of becoming a religion without a God. One should always be critical of the ideology or thoughts they adopt. To find facts one should not immediately accept what is presented. Faith is not a fact, but a belief system. Convictions are not based on facts rather the independent thoughts and conclusions reached by an individual. Facts must be established by evidence. The falsehoods and superstitions are presented as fact even in a highly technological society. Astrology, fortune telling, and the belief in ghosts still have devoted followers. Pseudoscience also poses a challenge damaging genuine scientific research. The lack of scientific literacy makes it difficult for the public to distinguish fact from fiction. A more serious consequence is when a society become philistine, its civilization will gradually decline. Civilizations cannot last without a strong emphasis on arts and sciences. Engineering provides infrastructure, medicine allows for improved public health, and scientific knowledge allows for an informed citizenry.
      There is an emergent anti-intellectual movement centered around the more traditionalist and culturally conservative elements. They oppose science, because it challenges their religious convictions. This extends  to promoting an attitude that science is not worth learning or believing it does not have relevance. The promotion of such ignorance is nothing new. Normally, such attitudes came from the Church. When the Church became intertwined with the state. scientists and those who questioned the order were either persecuted or face execution. It was not until the Enlightenment did this change. The priests and the Pope at one time wielded immense power over society, culture, and politics. The Catholic Church and then its Protestant competitors battled for the control of Europe. They also fought to control what knowledge and information the public had access to. The contemporary period has enabled individuals to gain access to a vast assortment of information. The traditionalists want to stop this from happening out of fear it will reduce their followers. This group of modern day traditionalists parallel the fanatics of the Medieval and Reformation past. They oppose free thought and have a desire to eliminate any idea that challenges their world view. This explains why stem cell research, evolution, and climate change have become contentious issues in the public consciousness. Science has the ability to encourage free thought and to examine the world in various perspectives. Denying people of the excitement and wonder science has to offer is a missed opportunity. A person cannot advance in life if their mind and its full potential is stifled. The world becomes a much more interesting place when seen through the lens of scientific knowledge.
          Scientific literacy should be one of the major foundations of a modern education. The rapid expansion of human knowledge require people who can decipher it. Our universe is being explored with more exoplanets being discovered and more information about space is being revealed. The nature of reality and life can be seen through subatomic particles and quantum physics. Applied science is making progress in biotechnology, nanotechnology. and information technology. This will radically alter life and civilization on Earth. The population must have an understanding of these technologies and the responsibility that comes with its use. The development of critical thinking skills is more essential now than it ever has been. Access to information does not stop the spread of mendacity. There could be printed or visual material that may appear to be accurate, yet this may not be the case. Reasoning in a manner like the scientific method could be the best tool to combating falsehoods. Scientific literacy will enable the development of a skilled workforce and greater economic stability. If the average worker does not have at least some basic scientific knowledge, they will struggle in a changing labor market. While biology, physics, mathematics, and chemistry are taught in both in public schools and universities these subjects should be emphasized more. Information technology and some levels of computer science  are offered, but not enough to keep up with demands. Besides the labor market, the health of society is dependent on the rejection of dogma and fanaticism. Superstition and religious fundamentalism pose a serious risk to stability and safety of global society. Ignorance, closed mindedness, or complete disregard for facts or evidence are becoming too common place in a world that is surrounded by information. The desire not to learn or consider other opposing ideas indicates a civilization in crisis. When a society ceases to be curious or explore, that is when it dies.   Only education and free thought can counter this backlash to the rising technoscientific era.                                   

The Crisis of Contemporary Society

Technology has given human civilization more material comfort than ever before. Often commentators claim their is progress in the world with more democratic governments and free markets. This is an illusion. Safety, comfort, and stability are not equally distributed around the world. Poverty, war, and racism will continue to be persistent problems with limited hope of a permanent or sustainable solution. The world of the 21 century is more unstable economically and politically. Global society has entered a state of general malaise. It effects populations at a large level and a personal one. Mental and physical health can be effected. Life has become extremely regimented even in a country that considers itself democratic. There are more feelings of isolation,even though mass communication is widely available. Societies are losing meaningful philosophical and ideological value systems. They have no alternative to older paradigms and thus engage in erratic or bizarre behavior. A nihilistic description of this perspective is not accurate, because frustration projects itself in public discord. At one time the concept of the future was an idea that seemed thrilling and prosperous. The dream has led to a nightmare and a existential crisis. The realization that the world can change for the better has died and been replaced with either disillusion or lack of hope. A revolution in politics, culture, and society may not be entirely blocked by the power structure, but by the frustration and lack of solicitous vigor. Change can happen, yet it will not be the revolutionary change to depose oppressive structures. Society is thus frozen unable to improve or advance.
      Labor was at one time a source of fulfillment to people. The modern day workforce has been turned into a regimented revolving door. The attitude that has emerged from the post-World War II period is to get a high paying job and become a member of the corporate machine. It is not about pursing a career that is satisfying to an individual, but the one that can make the most money. There are workers who have reached the top of the corporate structure, yet still find themselves in a state of melancholy. This may be due to the fact their work is monotonous and does not produce anything of significance. Management positions and workers in service sector jobs do not produce an actual product. This has to an extent been dissolved by advancing technology and a rapidly changing economy. Manufacturing or liberal arts related occupations may disappear in the distant future in which robot labor will replace human labor.  Those who cannot adjust will be trapped in a permanent underclass. To an extent this has happened with elements of the workforce. There are people who have not received a university education and do not have the skills to remain competitive. The other part of the spectrum has a workforce with a university degree or higher, but few jobs available. Those who do procure employment either victims of stagnant wages or limited opportunities for advancement. Workers go from company to company seeking to sustain themselves and have enough savings for retirement. The majority of the workforce is trapped in jobs they hate or work they feel that does not contribute to anything. This may explain the increase in depression or anxiety in particular developed nations.
      The lack of a belief system has been replaced by an obsessive materialism. A person's value is no longer based on their character, rather their status or the amount of wealth they have. This distortion in thought has resulted in various problems. It even ruins interpersonal relations among various societies .The traditional conservatives say lack of religion is what causes most of the societal issues of today. This is a false statement on the basis that any thought system that seeks to reduce critical thinking  will never improve anything. Religion has at least in the modern world, been used a means of creating cohesion in fractured societies and states. People who have many personal challenges use it as a coping mechanism when there is no other solution.The developed nations either put a huge amount of investment in technologies that are frivolous such as phones, cameras, or various entertainment media. Consumption has become so lucrative the public does not even understand how much they have become controlled by advertisement. It has become so prevalent that it has rewired human behavior to only think in terms of consumerism.  Consumerism has become a religion unto itself. Religion is in many ways an empty system of conviction. It expects people to believe a set of ideas without a rational thought process. Politics also does this in a similar fashion and is having a crisis of its own. The Western democracies and the experiments in the developing world  constantly speak of values of freedom and human rights. However, their own societies are unequal and engage in warfare. This rhetoric and contradictory behavior  proves that there is not a solid foundation for those beliefs. The superficial presentation demonstrates the death of a genuine political  belief system. Political philosophy has been reduced to sound bites, wedge issues, and a hostile binary political faction system. Contemporary society has lost the love for higher ideas in regards to ethics, epistemology, ontology, and metaphysics.  What has been put in its place is a hedonistic consumerism.
      Public  health has become a major issue. The longer people live the more ailments they will face. The modern day lifestyle of fast food and sugar based diets has caused heart disease and weight related illness. While there still are nations that have food insecurity, there are some that are being killed by too much consumption. This will cause strain on healthcare systems. A rapidly growing aging population and youthful people in poor health will be a challenge. The population gets less exercise and is more comfortable with a sedentary lifestyle. obesity will not just effect one region of the globe,it will spread. The lack of honest food labeling and nutritional contents can be blamed, but there is another element.When one lives in a land of abundance, there is a belief that their should be no self control. Eating, drinking, or doing anything in excess is seen as a right. People can have knowledge of the negative health effects of a behavior, but will continue to do so if it provides them an escape. This also explains drug addiction to an extent. Excess becomes a way to escape from particular life struggles or challenges that are not easily solved. Public health is not just effected by personal choice; environment plays a role. The dramatic climate shift occurring on Earth combined with increases in air pollution will cause more chronic illness. Respiratory system diseases will gradually become more prevalent. It is unknown what effect this will have on the nervous system. The current age seems to pose more health problems. The more terrifying aspect is that bacteria has the ability to become resistant to antibiotics. Microorganisms evolve just like other animals and it appears they are responding to human made medicine. The maintenance of public health will become a even greater problem in the future,if no action is taken.
        There is a general sense of frustration and malaise in global society. This is not anything new. Discord has been a part of human civilization and been the catalyst for revolutions. The difference now is that more people are so disillusioned that they rather not even try to challenge the established order. They either disengage from the society only focusing on themselves internally. The contemporary era has become one of manufactured dissent. False movements emerge out of social media or organizations with ulterior motives. There have been activists who have been attempting to raise awareness of certain issues for decades, but are either marginalized or silenced. Protest means nothing if it is done in a manner that will be effective. Disruption is not the goal itself, it is designed to stop the mechanisms of the oppression or injustice. The modern day protest does not function in the most effective manner and as a result there is no change. People all around the world are frustrated with their government or the decline in their communities. Neoliberal capitalism has generated more poverty internationally and the gap continues to grow between classes. Their is also a disparity between nation-states and ethnic groups. The West continues to intervene in African , South American, and Asian nations. Neocolonialism and racism are policies of the United States and the European Union. The White man's burden has been replaced with democracy promotion under the cover of protecting human rights.  The world population hears on a consistent basis news of war and mass migrations that were induced by Western aggression. World leaders no longer seek to change or improve the world. They have become simple managers with limited policy objectives. This is culpable for such an increase in anger and distrust of government globally. The early 21st century is the age of protest, yet this unconventional participation has no direction or defined goals other than just to oppose the government. Sadly, the frustration that is generated by various populations is not directed in a positive way. There is a wave of nativist  xenophobic racism sweeping across Europe and the US born out of economic turmoil, societal decline, and disappointment with the state of affairs.
     There will be more challenges as the 21st century progresses. The future has been in some literature portrayed as a utopia. Utopia is fiction. The world will never reach a state of calm or peace. Humanity's nature to destroy and conquer is too powerful to overcome. Conflict has been the driving force of societies and states. Conflict does not have to be open warfare. It can simply be division among a community, groups, states, or political governance system. While individual freedom should be valued, there needs to be a level of cohesion to keep society functional. Due to various factors that cohesion is eroding. Around the world people are dividing themselves more so around ethnic, religious, and national lines. This just increases chances of larger conflicts erupting. The lugubrious prospects of the decades to come make many worry. It was erroneously thought that their would be an end of history. However, their have not yet been new political systems or ideologies to say that liberal democracy and its values will be triumphant as a global system. There will still be many competing systems of conviction. The contemporary crisis of society is both  personal and within a wider community.  It will be harder for certain people to adjust to the rapid cultural, technological, and social changes. The rural areas will gradually disappear giving way to more urbanization. Mechanization and robotics may make employment limited unless some form of universal income is implemented. Labor, public health, and dealing with discord as well as nihilism  must be top priorities for any leader. The unusual aspect of this situation is that possessions create the illusion of prosperity. The countries that are considered developed still have a working class that is not allowed to advance itself.  The world needs a paradigm shift for the sake of its survival.       

The True Purpose of Education

Education has become a critical part of a functioning society. As the economy and jobs became more diversified the need for schooling became critical. The world is living in an age of mass literacy. There are some countries that lag behind in providing public education to its citizens, but this will soon change. The average laborer will have to have a multitude of skills to stay in the 21st century. While there are many who support education being available to all, the purpose of it has become lost. Education is not about getting a higher paying job or simply being a useful tool to society. There is a true purpose to  learning that extends beyond material  desires . The most pivotal goal is to create a critical thinker. A society will never advance if members do not develop original ideas or formulate different solutions to human problems. Beyond just becoming a mere analyst of information, there should be an intent to produce a new body of knowledge. There should be with in the process of education in which a student masters how to produce a body of work. This epistemological development should result in the ability to use logic to solve challenging questions. From this, an individual will have the ability to develop a new set of convictions. Education should seek to encourage discovery of new knowledge. Without that desire to know or curiosity many of the major milestones in science, history, philosophy, politics, law, or mathematics would have never seen light. Once a civilization loses its desire for curiosity or discovery it deteriorates. The final stage in this process of learning is that it is a life long journey. The acquisition of knowledge does not end with the completion of school, but continues. The world is rapidly changing both politically and economically. One must understand these changes if they are to adjust. Education is in its purest form the quest for ultimate knowledge.
    Critical thinking skills are essential to a decision making process. It involves being able to not only absorb information, but analyze and reason to an answer. Making connections from the information you are given and fully comprehending its relevance are important skills. This is a method to distinguish fact from fabrication. Asking simply why an event or a phenomenon  happened is the first step to critical thought. The teaching of basic reading, writing, and math provides a solid foundation. If a person has fully mastered critical thinking they will be able to read the text and extract its significance. This ability is not just for the sake of taking an examination or passing a class it is needed in life. If a citizen is going to participate in the electoral process they will need to understand how government works. They will need to examine carefully the backgrounds of the candidates they elect. There is a vast body of information widely available, but it takes meticulous deciphering. If most citizens cannot do this, then the political system will fall into turmoil. A personal who thinks critically will not accept the status quo or the commonly accepted conventions. Critical thinking can also help detect falsehoods presented as facts. Intelligent design, climate change denial, or any other type of pseudoscience has gained mainstream acceptance. The goal of primary, secondary, and tertiary education should be to develop critical thinking skills, while simultaneously exposing students to new knowledge. From this stage students will develop their own ideas.
        There comes a time when simply reading material is not enough. Some seek to produce their own body of work. This could be in any academic subject area including the arts, sciences, or mathematics. The intent should be the ability to formulate new ideas. This maintains a well developed society. Civilizations will collapse if they no longer attempt to innovate. This explains why societies the emphasize conformity will not progress. If the majority thinks the same way, new ideas will never emerge. What education should not be is indoctrination. The lugubrious element about public education is that to an extent it seeks to impose common values on all of its citizens, even some that would be aberrant. It is no secret that in public schools of most nations they glorify aspects of their history, yet ignore past abuses. The United States teaches students in particular that the country is a guiding force for democracy, while ignoring the nation was built on slavery, the genocide of the Native Americans, and the exploitation of working class people. The UK also in its public schools glorifies the past of the British Empire, even though it oppressed millions during its existence. More conservative societies may not question religious dogma. A Catholic school may not want to teach the theory of evolution or a madrassa. This is effectively stifling a student from information and knowledge. It limits their potential and the quality of their education. While there are issues in the teaching of history, science is another matter. Science has regularly been attacked when it conflicts with common held public convictions. Biology and astronomy are in particular targeted. This is done to preserve the idea of an all knowing and all powerful God. Such ideas seem antiquated in a world advancing in terms of science and technology. At some point there may be students who either just distance themselves completely or attempt to produce their own work and challenge current belief systems. Out of this transformation could come new ideas.
        Curiosity and the desire to discover is what keeps society running. Science has shown that curiosity has driven human history. The desire to explore the human body allowed for advances in biomedical science. The wonder in regards to outer space has given humanity a glimpse into exoplanets, black holes, and galaxies. Education should induce this desire to discover and know more. An educator, teacher, or professor should act as a mentor to their students. Sadly, this value is not supported in modern day society. Teaching pays very little causing a low quality workforce and a high turn over rate. Another issue is that a large portion of teachers have low expectations of students and their ability to learn. Such negative attitudes produce students who either disengage or continue to struggle with their courses. The role of the teacher is to create that sense of curiosity and desire for discovery. Most do not think in this manner and it has devastating effects on future generations. When a society becomes philistine it will become fragile. People rather not think, but waste time on frivolous distractions or engage in hedonistic or pointless activity. People should strive for more or something higher. Discovering more about the world and existence adds a meaningful purpose to life. When one discovery is made, this leads to more curiosity. This desire to know is what propelled humanity to explore, create, and thrive.
         Education and learning should be a lifetime activity. It does not end with the completion of a degree. The mind should receive exercise just as much as the physical body. There is a common belief that as we age it becomes more difficult to learn new information. This is not the case if one continues consistently to learn. This could have to do with motivation and desire. One has to want to learn. Closed minded or rigidly thinking individuals will have difficulty trying to understand or grasp new ideas or systems of knowledge. This may actually be good for one's physical health. Memory as we age becomes less sharp and the brain under goes changes. The longer a person lives the greater the risk for dementia or other neurodegenerative diseases. Keeping the mind and brain active could ensure health of the nervous system. Maybe it could also maintain optimum mental health, giving an individual a feeling of fulfillment. A more practical reason for being a life long learner is remaining relevant in the workforce. Many low skill and manual labor  jobs will be replaced by technology. A modern workforce will have to be able to absorb new information and apply it rapidly. Either getting higher education or being self taught in various skills will keep the majority of the population employed. Besides a more practical reason for life long learning, there is a joy to finding things out. Exploring new topics or subjects reveal a world of wonder.
       The reasons for getting an education are normally discussed in terms of material gain. Job security, status, or financial  gain are seen as the only reason in the majority of the public. Many have forgotten the long philosophical tradition that aimed to mold people into something new. The duty of schools and universities is to transform men and women into a generation of bold thinkers, who have the mastery of knowledge. Universities continue to produce quality graduates, but this could be lost if they do not understand education's original purpose. Liberal arts should not be ignored in the curriculum in favor of  schooling just directed at employment. There are already vocational schools that train people for certain professions. Too often when students finish their academic program, they wonder who they will work for. There is never a consideration for either employing oneself or starting their own  business. The hope is with a change in pedagogy a new group of people will emerge that will change society for the better. When one harnesses the power of thought and knowledge they achieve a new level. Education is a quest for knowledge and there are many questions to be answered. 

The Myth of a Civilized Society

Humanity often wants to place its self above other animals. The belief that humanity is something special and unique has been a common theme in various forms of thought. When people are asked to give the general idea of what makes us human some concepts are established. The argument is that humankind has a conscience, morals, and civilization. People use the example of civilization and society to prove that humanity is above animals. However, this conviction lacks cogency. Human beings are just like any other animal. The power of our intelligence and reasoning have allowed us to advance beyond certain limitations. Humanity at its core is violent and destructive. These are animal like behaviors that still are with us from an evolutionary past. The idea that civilization or society tames the more violent tendencies of humankind is a falsehood. The structure of a civil society, government, law, and community were designed to control these abhorrent behaviors. Yet, they project themselves in more devastating forms. What  could seem like a just and civilized society, could be committing horrendous acts against individuals and groups. Crime, state sponsored violence , and war are prevalent through out human history. The civilized society that people have idolized was a mere vision. It was designed to comfort and delude individuals attempting to understand violence in a world of chaos.
      Crime is present in every society. Violent crime is more repulsive in act. Murder, rape, and mass shootings are just a few aberrations. There are sociological reasons for its existence. Economic decline and limited education can cause its increase. It could also have some biological roots. The criminally insane such as serial killers, may have a neruoanatomical disorder. There are some so violent that cannot live among others in society. The basis of law enforcement was to protect citizens from harm or danger from such individuals. However, police brutality demonstrates that police are on the same level as criminals. The recent police shootings of unarmed civilians in America show that the phrase "to serve in protect" have no meaning. Police are not in society to protect people, but to control. The ruling class of a state or nation use them to impose their will on the people that reside in their territory. The people who are of an oppressed ethnic group or working class have the most violence directed at them. Certain circumstances just the threat of violence is enough to terrify the population into submission. If the police commit crimes, it tarnishes the concept of the rule of law. Theoretically, the law should apply equally to all people no matter what their race, sex, or socioeconomic status. The problem is if a police officer commits a violent act, they are more likely not to face prosecution. The limited desire to rectify these behaviors shows that their is a deep predilection for violence in human societies. The existence of capital punishment also reveals a conundrum. If one believes murder is unethical then capital punishment creates cognitive dissonance. The argument is that a criminal may be so lethal, that it would keep other people in peril letting them live. Individuals who agree murder is unethical will contradict themselves by saying there are certain cases in which capital punishment is necessary. The difference it is murder conducted by the state and it is viewed as legitimate. When individuals citizens commit murder it is more unacceptable, because the state is trusted. Both actions are in fact heinous, but the state justifies it as an act of public safety.   This function of the state does not seem like the attribute of a civilized society.
      State sponsored violence has been a part of history and may not disappear in the future. Every state uses some form of violence against their people. This occurs in both democratic and authoritarian models of government. The United States has been notorious in this regard. The oppression of African Americans and other non-white peoples had the support of the state. Jim Crow laws and segregation were rigidly imposed through force. Native American removal had the blessing of the federal government. The US Calvary was sent West with the task of killing Native Americans and making the land suitable for white settlement. The United States of the 21st century still uses state sponsored violence to stop protests. The freedom of assembly is a freedom guaranteed by the US Constitution. Yet, every Black Lives Matter protest, anti-war demonstration, or environmental protection protest is either hindered or attacked by police. The difference with authoritarian regimes is that they are more blatant in their use of force. Leaders like Idriss Deby of Chad  or Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan have the military and police use force against their populations. The Gulf monarchies of the Middle East function on the same model. Egypt and Algeria have what are referred to as security services. The general security services are not for public safety, but to inflict harm on a population if it attempts to overthrow the existing regime. Secret police also hunt people who are either attempting to resist or criticize the government. Nazi Germany had the Gestapo to torture potential threats and the NKVD of the Soviet Union committed similar acts. Terrorizing or torturing particular groups or citizens in a society seems to be a regular occurrence. Many times these acts a hidden from public view. Water boarding has been used extensively by the US in its interrogation of terrorist suspects. Torture is used in both democratic and authoritarian countries. The idea of a civilized society collapses even further  when it becomes more acceptable. States across the world engage in it.  It does not matter what system of government is in place, because these criminal acts emerge regularly.
       War is one of the worst forms of violence. The calculated destruction of people and nations has devastating effects. The worlds great civilizations whether it was Rome, Greece, Mali, Songahi, Ghana, or China were built on warfare. The conquest and the destruction of states or kingdoms was prevalent. The major turning point came with the age of exploration. Spain, Portugal, England, and France went to the New World to establish new trade routes. The result was the destruction of the Amerindian civilizations of both North and South America. The Inca, Aztec, and Maya empires vanished under the onslaught of European invaders. The war for expansion did not stop there. It continued into Asia and Africa. Gradually, new powers entered such as the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy. The competition for resources and economic dominance was sending the world down a path constant conflict. When European powers colonized a majority of the Earth, the only conclusion they reached was to fight among themselves. World War I caused more havoc than any war at that point in history. Millions of soldiers died fighting in the trenches and on various continents. The aftermath saw the collapse of the Russian, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian empires. There were also small scale conflicts leading up to the second World War. Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, while Germany absorbed the Rhineland and later Austria including Czechoslovakia. Italy wage aggressive war against Ethiopia. The Soviet Union was at war with Finland and the Baltic states. These disputes may have seemed isolated, but were an indication of a much larger conflict to come. World War II was more vicious in the sense that more civilian life was lost. Technology had advanced so that tanks , planes, and guns were more powerful. The war culminated in the use of nuclear weapons in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan was no longer willing to fight in the face of more nuclear attacks.The United Nations was then formed to prevent mass global conflict. This has not been accomplished, because there are cases in which the organization encourages military action. It was powerless to stop the wars of proxy by the United States and Soviet Union during the Cold War. The end of the Soviet Union made it so the United States could not be challenged. A policy of constant warfare has been in place and the US has involvement on every continent. Sanguinary acts are now justified by human rights and democracy promotion. The past justifications were more overt in their racism. The argument of the Western powers was that African and Asian nations were not "civilized" and there for needed European guidance. This dichotomy between "civilized" West and "barbaric" East was a product of social Darwinism and imperialism. The rhetoric has changed, but the the beliefs have not. Europe and the US still want to wage war against the non-white peoples of the globe. What exacerbates warfare on the globe is that major powers interfere with internal conflicts of particular countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yemen, Libya, Afghanistan, and Sudan are places where the West either arms factions or attacks directly. Warfare is about as old as humanity itself and it will not solved by UN  peace keeping.
       The common forms of violence of crime, state sponsored violence, and war prove that a civilized society could have never existed. It was an ideal that was thought by visionaries who hoped to curb humanity's more repulsive characteristics. Even when certain institutions are in place to either control these negative attributes, they also become contaminated with corruption. If this behavior is to continue humankind may eradicate itself. The people have been convinced or either just accept that  the current system or state of affairs is legitimate, because  they believe their is no alternative. Violence is not unique to the human species. The animal kingdom seems to have it in the same extent . Competition for mates and food are a part of survival in nature, but humanity has taken it to a new level. Avarice, hatred, and narcissism are driving some individuals. The repercussions are grotesque acts violence. While it is part of nature, some of it is our environment. If one lives in a society were war, torture, and the glorification of violence is considered normal, then it will not be repugnant to them. Brutality is happening in some form its just that it may not be visible. The US continues to bomb areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan with the use of drones. These are called surgical strikes and often kill civilians rather than the terrorist group they claim to be fighting. The reaction from people in those countries is to arm themselves against aggression. Thus starts an endless cycle of bloodshed from which there is no return. There will be no hope unless the rule of law is respected and there is a paradigm shift. That means the upper class elite must be subject to the law just like other citizens. It requires that nations are subject to international law no matter how powerful they are. It means that police and law enforcement cannot escape murdering people without consequence. These are possible solutions. It should be understood that civilized society is a concept that one exists as a non-physical abstract thought. What currently functions is controlled and regulated violence. The opposite of this would be a failed state in which their is no functional leadership and the most armed run a country. If the power structure can be dismantled and restructured  to benefit all members in a state or nation, only then will a civilized society emerge.    

God Never Existed

To many God is as real as physical matter. The religious state he made and created all things.The basis of faith is that one believes hard enough, without factual evidence. If one is to think critically, the concept of God does not with stand logical argument. The major world religions of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism preach there is only one God and it is the creator of all life. Through out history many societies were polytheistic. The shift toward monotheism was a radical notion, but its purpose was more so political. It cannot be ignored that religion is a powerful mobilizing force, just as much as nationalism. Organized religion contributed to the control of citizens in emerging states. Absolute monarchs often said their authority came from God and their rule was justified by divine right. When the Enlightenment happened in Europe intellectuals questioned religious dogma and the God concept. Thinkers who were deists believed that God did not intervene in every day affairs or was responsible for miracles. They were not atheists, but if that had advanced understanding of the universe they probably would have been. Extreme religious fanatics attack science and reason, because it discredits there views of a supernatural world. Human evolution and climate science are primary targets. Even astronomy and astrophysics are despised by such extremists. The argument is that these academic disciplines are being disrespectful to their convictions. Ultimately, these scientific fields demonstrate that God never existed. If science never reached the level that it has, there are basic questions that challenge the existence of God. Logic, critical thinking, and science demonstrate that God was an idea developed in the thoughts of humankind.  

          One question that should emerge is where did God come from? Did he always exist or come from another God? Numerous religious texts avoid this question or do not attempt an explanation. Saying that such a being was born takes away the power of the concept. This question remains unanswered for a deliberate reason. Before the rise of civilization spirits and Gods were used as explanations for natural phenomenon. Gods and spirits were responsible for everything from earthquakes, floods, and the stars in the sky. Disease, which early hunter-gatherers had limited understanding of were also though to have a spirit based cause. Many times early human societies were convinced that certain illnesses were either punishments from Gods or spirits communicating with man. Based on the knowledge of diseases of the nervous system, these individuals may have suffered from epilepsy, schizophrenia, or other mental disorders.The pre-historic peoples of the world had no concept of neurological disorders or diseases of the brain. When scientific medicine arises, only then humankind was moving away from spirits being an explanation for illness. The early medical practitioners such as Imhotep and Hippocrates began moving away from notions of the supernatural. Reproduction of organic species happens either sexually or asexually. Assuming God is an organism it either has the capability to do either one of those methods of reproduction. There is no evidence or mention of this in any religious text. The assumption that a being just existed and was fully conscious seems to lack cogency. An all wise, powerful, and omnipotent  creature that has no origin is just accepted by the devout. The mystery of the universe is used as evidence of existed, but this is more a demonstration of what is unknown.
            The God concept has been adjusted depending on the political and social circumstances. Roman, Egyptian, Greek, Indian, and Chinese civilizations believed in numerous gods during the course of history. There were rare cases in which monotheism appeared before the major world religions. Pharaoh Amenhotep IV declared that Egyptians should worship Aten. Prior to the rise of ancient civilization it is possible that early hunter gatherers worshiped a mother goddess. This can be linked to certain phrases or sayings like "mother nature."  This was not exactly a pantheistic ideology , but that a goddess was expressing herself through the beauty and power of nature. Goddesses appear in various world civilizations, but are removed from being worshiped when monotheism arises. This could be a metaphor for women's declining status with the rise of organized religion. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam  promote rigid gender roles in which man has authority over women. The gods of old civilization merged into a male God. At the time of the Dark Ages in Europe, there was a desire to impose order on a chaotic landscape. The Middle Ages was a period in which God and organized religion imposed order and control upon emerging centralized governments. Controlling populations through religion and God did not just occur in Europe, but in Africa and Asia. The Ummayyad and  Abbasid  dynasties kept the Middle East together by Islam. The Ottomans would continue that technique. The Mauryan, Gupta, and Mughul empires either used Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam to manage vast areas of India. Buddhism was more so an ethical philosophy than a religion and does not have a single God. However, it still holds to the conviction of spirits and reincarnation. The Songahy empire of West Africa was unified under Islam and traditional Africa religion. As time progressed it became a tool of oppression. The Spanish and Portuguese  used the excuse that Christianity needed to be spread to justify the conquest of South America . Religion was also used as a justification for enslavement of African peoples, before it was replaced with pseudoscientific  biological racism. Horrible acts or atrocities were forgiven by God, because in their minds they were spreading the words of Jesus Christ. The God concept can be changed whenever some political or social agenda needs to be legitimized.  God can be a cover for egregious acts.
        There is also the argument that God exists by the fact that there are lifeforms on Earth. Reality many people of  devout faith are convinced is God's doing.Reality is still a peculiar and evolving concept. Philosophers once said it is a product of rational thought and the senses. As the natural philosophers became modern scientists reality was by its definition was altered again. Physical matter is the basis of the universe. Atoms and subatomic particles are the building blocks  of the known universe. The higgs boson explains why matter even has mass.String theory and unified field theory are attempting to merge or bridge relativity and quantum mechanics. The universe functions on fundamental forces of gravitation, electromagnetism, strong and weak nuclear force. It has been suggested that there could be more. If God created reality why are things structured in this particular way? There are particles and anti-particles which could mean there is more than just one universe. There could be a multiverse. Astronomers have confirmed that exoplanets exist outside the Solar System. Some of them could even be Earth like or sustain life. It has been expressed that God created humanity as something special. If it is true life exists on other planets or dimensions the need for a God falls apart. The divine and immaculate creature was suppose to create beings to look over as if they were his own children. The diversity  present in life and environment dismantle that mystic concept of a higher power. Existence, reality, and the state of matter were debates in ontology among the early philosophers. The monotheistic belief system proposed an answer without a solid basis and formulated it in relation to what God demands of humanity. How can you know what God wants if the religious texts were written by humans and none had ever had direct communication.? A believer has never said they have seen God or Heaven. Humanity still has not fully discovered the true nature of reality and existence, so making such claims is premature.
        God was once used as an way to explain natural phenomena. Physics, biology, chemistry, astronomy, and Earth Sciences have disproves this old assumption. It was once thought that humanity emerged from the dirt of the Earth molded by God. Human evolution and astrophysics have been piecing together the puzzle of the past. The reason religious fanatics attack science in general is that it challenges their conviction in an anthropomorphized God, which control not only nature, but human destiny. Human evolution demonstrates that nature and organism are not the product of a God, but the work of genetics and natural selection. The idea that one creature created everything is disputed by astrophysics and the big bang theory. The big bang theory does not describe how the universe began, but how it evolved. There was as astrophysicists believed was nothing and absolute nothing. There was no time, matter, or life. The pious claim that God initiated the process. There is a problem with this assumption. It states that God existed always and that energy could just be created. Energy cannot be created or destroyed as far as human understanding goes. If that is true then, God would not be all powerful because he did not create energy. When questioning existence of God it simply is not testable.The scientific method functions on certain steps. The first is a proposed hypothesis followed by experimentation. There will be observation resulting in data and a conclusion. The experiment must be reproducible and have the same results to be considered a fact. No one has ever observed God or deities. There is not an experiment that can be made to demonstrate God's presence.  Trying to duplicate a possible experiment would  not be possible. That is why the God concept is in the realm of faith. It is believing without evidence. However, faith is not factual, but religious fanatics proclaim it to be so.
         The world is advancing technologically and socially. There are a number of reasons the God concept still remains in a science based world civilization. God as an idea can provide comfort to people in dire and destitute situations. Tragedies and personal hardship happen through out life with no explanation. This means the idea of God acts a coping mechanism to extreme stress and violence.God has been the poor person's wealth. Another dynamic is that people are searching for the meaning of life. God provides a simple answer to a complex question. Life and its meaning is not a simple matter. It takes much introspection, thought, and reflection. Saying everything "is God's will" appears as intellectual laziness. Humanity has a desire for answers and is not willing to work for a solution to a problem. Some feel that their life would have no meaning if they just merely existed by random chance. According to the devout God put people here for a purpose. Without God they believe life would have no direction. This is an odd way of thinking, because ultimately individuals decide what meaning their life has. That must be discovered through cogitation.Besides the unknown of  the philosophical implications of life, there is a fear. Death is the end of life, which terrifies most people. Many worshipers want to know that life's struggles had meaning and were not just going to result in a lugubrious end. When examined from this perspective God and heaven seem attractive.Maybe it is time to view death differently. If we understand that it is part of a cycle of birth and life it does not seem like an anathema. This is a part of nature and biology. The unknown must not be fear, no should it be assumed it has a negative outcome. There is nothing wrong with believing in a certain system of thought. However, there is a problem when  ignoring facts. If critically analyzed the evidence for God is lacking. It would appear that God was a creation of the thoughts of  man.                            

The Problems of a Prosperous Society

It is assumed that material and financial  wealth can solve all problems. After all, much misery is created when there is a lack of resources. Developing nations struggle to feed and care for their citizens. The average income is lower. Healthcare may not be adequate and education out of reach of the population. This is true hardship. Yet, there are problems that arise when there is an alleviation of particular societal ills. The West does have major political and social issues, but economic power reduces some of damaging effects. There is access to food, education, housing, and basic comforts. There is poverty in western societies, but it is smaller compared to the rest of the globe. The difference is the presence of middle class. People can improve their financial situation and possibly move up to a higher social class. This model sounds flawless, but the reality proves otherwise. When basic needs are met, people begin to engage in behaviors that are negative. Western society promotes hyper-consumerism to the public, seeing as they have disposable income. Individualism gradually becomes a mask for selfishness and entitlement. Philosophical value systems are discarded in favor of a nihilistic worldview. A philistine attitude develops among the population simultaneously with boredom. The result is a society in a state of metaphysical and ontological turmoil. 

         Hyper-consumerism is the product of a neoliberal capitalist society. Corporations encourage over-consumption of certain products for the sake of profit maximization. The idea is to have people constantly buy products, even when there is no need for them. Corporations are involved in all aspects of society including the production of electronics, medicines, food, automobiles, construction , and popular entertainment. Their reach has become global, influencing governments. There is also another group they influence and that is the public. Advertising is a twenty-four hour assault on one's perception. Constantly, on the television, radio, and internet the public is bombarded with messages to purchase products. These are possessions that are not critical. Apple for example is able to get consumers excited over the latest phone. Samsung encourages people to update their televisions to the latest HD model. While it it fun to enjoy modern products and comforts, there is a negative aspect . People start to value material possessions more than other human beings. All of a sudden "keeping up with the Jones's" becomes a compulsive obsession. The only way people feel worth is by what they have. This is a horrible mindset and damaging to a person with limited financial security. Even more tragic is how some are murdered for certain items. There are cases in which people were robbed or murdered for Air Jordan shoes. This is not only evidence of criminality, but a society that values products rather than people. The message that your worth comes from what you own, instead of what you do in life has negative psychological effects.  Not only does hyper-consumerism  cause distress,  it allows for poor money management skills. Living beyond your means can create economic challenges.
         Individualism can be seen as a major attribute to freedom. However, the West has molded this concept into a mask for selfishness and entitlement. While personal freedom must be protected, it does not mean you renounce responsibility for your community. The United States has the biggest problem with this. The Republican Party and its conservative coalitions speak of promoting  personal liberty against the federal government. They then contradict themselves by allowing government power to increase in terms of national security and legislation designed to  alienate certain  ethnic groups. Citizens become more focused on personal well being, rather that the condition of their country, society, and community. This conviction is not really individualism at all, but Objectivism. This philosophy developed by Ann Rand which believed that the only goal in life is one's personal happiness. Altruism should be discarded in favor of a rugged individualism. It justifies selfishness as a way to pursue happiness. What has formed is a culture of entitlement. The entitlement paradigm began in the 1980s  when US President Reagan was promoting supply-side  economic policy. To gain wealth by any means was considered acceptable and it did not matter who you trampled on to achieve it.The children born in the West believe that they deserve everything. Their parents have the same attitude.Such convictions do not prepare young people for the challenges of life. Society to some extent requires a level of cooperation between its members. This version of individualism is nothing more than a new version of social darwinism. Prime minister Margaret Thatcher once stated "there is no society, only individuals and their families." This quote was coded language for vicious enmity toward your fellow citizen. Helping one another is discouraged, because it is more important to serve yourself. Basic human bonds are turned into hostile competition  between individuals and groups. The hostility is a product of avarice, entitlement, and a government that does not want to serve the public.
      Nihilism has become a major issue of post-industrial societies. Citizens that reside in prosperous society no longer value higher ideas. Common conversations and discourse focus on celebrity culture or sports. If politics are discussed, it is reduced to simplistic commentary and ad hominem attacks. It is not a thoughtful debate about philosophical implications of governance. There are people who claim that organized religion can counter this nihilistic attitude. This is just another trap, because the main purpose of organized religion is to control people. Having no belief in anything creates mental dilemmas. There is an emptiness that cannot be filled with material possession. People who have the maximum amount may not find happiness.  A personal perspective and worldview is the most helpful tool to help one navigate the turbulence of life. Having some frame of reference  is critical to rational decision making.  This is one element that absent from society. Rationality and critical thinking skills are pivotal in a rapidly changing world. A nihilistic view of events can lead to negative behaviors. Addiction, following extremist movements, and a excessive  hedonistic activity are the results of not having a belief system. The desire to fill a void cannot be stopped. This will lead to boredom causing more erratic behaviors. People begin to engage in acts that lack common sense. Extreme cases would be flash mobs in which members of  the group steal immense amounts of items from stores. Another example is doing something dangerous for the sake of it. Many westerners attempt to climb Mount Everest not out of necessity, but for a longing for adventure and thrill. Some people are struggling to survive and these individuals voluntarily go into peril. Nihilism does cause strange behavior.    
       There is a point in a prosperous society in which philistine attitudes become common. The desire for knowledge is replaced by frivolous and superficial concerns. Celebrity gossip becomes more important than the condition of the world. People show limited interest in science. Generally, there is a wave of anti-intellectualism. Facts are no longer relevant, just as long as the propaganda has a simple message. Discovery and finding new knowledge can be exciting. Yet, society does not promote such ideas. The public no longer seems fascinated by space exploration. There are religious fundamentalists who seek to restrict the teaching of human evolution. The desire to keep people in a state of ignorance ultimately will destroy civilization. Having no interest in learning or knowledge hinders social and political progress. An educated population is necessary for a functioning society. Merely getting an education should not be the goal, but instills values of life long learning. One must continue to learn about people, the world, and their surroundings.Civilizations did not grow by shunning curiosity. The devotion to science and the arts allowed it to flourish.  The Songhai  Empire, Egypt,  Rome, Mali Empire,  and Han Dynasty are few ancient models of how society used knowledge to its advantage. When a civilization stops aiming for higher accomplishments, that is when it will die.
         Societies that seem prosperous still have certain difficulties. The nature of these tribulations are different from developing nations. The truth is that "First World problems" may not be issues at all. They are self induced afflictions. Avarice and desire have distorted rational judgement. People wonder aimlessly for fulfillment, but will not be satisfied. The materials amassed do not provide the person much needed answers. Questions regarding existence and the state of human condition become unpleasant to contemplate. The need to know is still there. Rather than engage in introspective thought it easier to be delusional. The society of the West has become ideologically, politically, and culturally bankrupt. The odd behavior and dysfunction present in the West is just evidence of that. The only solution is to find an alternative to hyper-consumerism. Higher ideas and philosophy must be valued again. Nihilism must be challenged, because it can have negative effects.  The type of person it produces is a selfish, mindless, and egotistical consumer.When this is done, only then can some form of balance be restored to civilization.   
   

Religion Is Not Above Criticism

When one lives in a free society,  open criticism is allowed. Politics, cultural mores, and other controversial topics are subjects that can be discussed. However, religion is a taboo subject to criticize in intellectual discourse or in public. This enables fanaticism and the suppression of  critical thinking. It gives individuals a license to abuse others and justify unethical behavior. Religious figures then hide behind a claim that criticism is "offensive." Just like any other ideology, religion should be subject to scrutiny. The negative reactions to such examination only proves that religion is against free speech, individualism, and critical thinking.
         The religious establishment has been hostile to free speech. Controversy has emerged when depictions of  the prophet Muhammad appear. This is considered idolatry and a major offense. The religious right in the United States want any mention of human evolution in science textbooks removed. Their argument is that their is only one creator who made existence as described in the Book  of Genesis. Reactionary groups seek to silence opposing view points. Depicting Muhammad becomes an act of "hatred" and saying human evolution is factual can now be considered "anti-Christian."  People love free speech until it is something they do not want to hear. While the extremely pious claim their faith is under attack, they direct hatred toward other groups. Sermons of  right-wing pastors condemn homosexuality and demonize gay people. This by definition would be hate speech. It is accepted, because religious figures are doing it. When legitimate criticism is directed at them, then there is commotion.
            Individualism is a concept that is highly valued in a free society. Religious fanatics and reactionaries do not value it at all. They actively seek its destruction. Organized religion cannot survive unless it is collectivist and conformist in behavior. If this is not imposed, people will leave the congregation. All the major world religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism has some form of schism, which resulted in numerous sects. People thinking for themselves becomes a threat to organized religion. Some followers of these faiths are required to restrain themselves and natural impulses for decision making. Women are expected to be obedient and submissive to male authority. in most religions. Judaism has traditionally had a strong patriarchal foundation. Islam just like Judaism has a similar perspective. Christianity specifically Catholicism, will not allow women to have authority roles in the Church. The Catholic Church still refuses to allow women to be priests. Not only does it show disdain for individual freedom, but a culture of discrimination.Dissent is the ultimate expression of individualism. Religion is incompatible with individualism.  
          Critical thinking is not encouraged by the religious establishment. The reason is that it will unravel the unstable foundation in which it rests. When it comes to questioning the existence of God, blind faith will be promoted. This is one topic a follower should never doubt. It is difficult to say there is a being that loves us all. A majority of the population is starving, victims of mass violence, and struggling to survive. One should question God's existence when seeing endless human suffering . It seems as if humans are all alone to fend for themselves. The claim by the pious is that the Lord is testing you. The hardships now will only lead to heaven. Blindly, many people are convinced of this. People who dared to question dogma were either ostracized or threatened with death. The Protestant Reformation demonstrated religion's hostility to critical thinking. The schism between Sunni and Shia Muslims was another example in the history of theological discourse. Religion is so resistant to critical thinking that it is intolerant of other religions. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam do not respect the other's convictions or culture. Non-believers are either infidels, gentiles, or heathens. There is nothing wrong with having a different belief system. It is questionable ethics to say your viewpoint is superior and needs to be imposed on others.  
            The world now revolves around science, commerce, and technology. Religion will most likely not disappear, because it has been with man since the earliest periods of human history. The modern day organized religion has become a tool of control. The manipulation of emotions and behaviors has become simple by inducing religion into public conversation. Far beyond controlling people, it became lethal. Zionism an expansionist ideology, uses religion to justify annexation and the abuse of the Palestinian population. Radical political Islamism is threatening the stability of Arab nations. The social conservatives of America want to ban abortion, women's rights, and dismantle the free exercise clause. Religious fundamentalists pose a major challenge to a free society. Ignoring them will not solve the problem. Concerned individuals must criticize and expose abuse. Religion must be subject to examination just like any other philosophical, social or political idea.  

The Flaws of Third Wave Feminism

Modern day Feminism evokes many reactions. Many are negative or positive emotions. Some women even avoid the label Feminist. Originally, Feminism was an ideology that believed women were equals to men and deserved the same economic, political, and social rights. This was gradually achieved through First Wave Feminism as represented by the Suffragette Movement. Women gaining the vote gave them more power in society. Second Wave Feminism sought to challenge workplace discrimination, sexual violence, and barriers in education. Around the 1990s there was a paradigm shift in Feminist thought. Third Wave Feminism the modern incarnation is a backlash against previous Feminist theories. This new Feminist movement has a number of contradictions and issues not addressed. The goal has shifted from equality to forming a series of interest groups that only benefits its members. The ironic twist is that it does not benefit the majority of women.

            The Third Wave Feminist Movement claims that it wants to be inclusive of women of various ethnic backgrounds. This is not true, in the case of the African American experience or the condition of women outside the West. Throughout the history of the Feminist Movement in the West, it has been dominated by white women. During the 1970s African American women decided to challenge that. However, white Feminists were rarely supportive of African American causes. Alice Walker developed the term womanism to describe a path way for liberation and to understand the racial and sex oppression black women face. Currently, there is a divide over full inclusion. African Americans and other women of color are marginalized in Feminist circles.  The concept of “global sisterhood” is far from reality. Transnational Feminist networks that have emerged over the past decades failed to combat sex discrimination in the developing world. Countries such as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, which have high levels sex discrimination, are ignored by Western Feminists.  Even though African, Asian, and Latin American make up the majority of the population white Feminists exclude them from mainstream discourse.

            Another issue is the wage gap. Third Wave Feminists claim that this is evidence of sexist discrimination. The feminization of poverty adds credibility to this argument, but this represents another problem. Wages have been stagnant for both men and women in the workforce. This represents the failure and exploitive nature of neoliberal capitalism. More jobs can be created, but if wages never increase it will result in income disparity. Simultaneously, with a regressive tax code it will put more burdens on middle class and poor workers. Another explanation is the career path women choose. Careers that are in the fields of mathematics, science, engineering and technology are high paying occupations. Women either are not interested in these fields or discouraged from pursing them.  Another factor that could account for the disparity is whether or not maternity leave is paid or unpaid.  This is critical, because raising a child requires significant financial resources. Socialist Feminists realize that class conflict is present in society and that a small ruling class oppresses the impoverished majority.  Third Wave Feminists look at the wage gap in a narrow perspective, while embracing another form of exploitation. If women’s wages were to increase dramatically, would these wealthy women help women of a lower socioeconomic status? It would not happen.  As long as a corporate ruling class rules the United States, men and women’s wages will decrease.

            The concept of rape culture raises other disputes. No one can deny that violence against women is common in society. However, Third Wave Feminists are now taking a different approach by a campaign of “teaching men not to rape.” First it assumes all men are rapists and have a tendency to be violent. Although men do represent a majority of violent crime perpetrators, that does not make all men criminals. It takes a person with aggressive, antisocial, and sociopathic behavior to commit such acts. Trying to rehabilitate individuals with these traits would be impossible. Women are not the only ones who face rape. Prison populations are the victims of custodial rape. Children are victims as well by both men and women. Rape is not a woman only issue.  This idea of “teaching men not to rape” is not effective. The proper solution should be on self-defense and vigilance.  Learning martial arts and other techniques can reverse certain predicaments.  The wave of sexual assault crimes on college campuses can be reduced by a more efficient campus police. Also, female students should be given free self-defense courses just as a precaution. The fact of the matter is waiting for some people to change is irrational.  The only way to reverse this situation is through immediate action. 

            Third Wave Feminists claim they are trying to promote equality between the sexes, but there are some areas which they do not want it. Men for example are required to register for the selective service, while women are not. Women are now having a larger role in the military and combat roles are being opened to them. Under former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, the ban on women in combat was lifted. Detractors say that women are not strong enough for a combat role, but there are exceptions. There are certain nations that do allow women in front-line combat roles like Israel, North Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Poland, Romania, Eritrea, Canada, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Women who do meet the physical fitness standards still face a level of bias. Rarely do you see Third Wave Feminist organizations come to their aid or attempt to make it mandatory that women register for the selective service. There could be other reasons for this. Most of the wars the US has fought are imperialist and controversial in nature. The public will be divided on the role of the US Army in terms of these actions. Many would find it unacceptable if women were to be killed in combat, because it is believed that men are expendable. A majority of American women would not be willing to register for the selective service. So this double standard will remain acceptable to Third Wave Feminists. Another issue is Family Law. Men will in most cases provide the financial assistance for child support. Women will not have the same financial responsibility. The peculiar development is that child support almost becomes an extension of alimony. The support of the spouse is different than support of children. This is dated mode of thought, because it assumes that men should be the only bread winners. Family Law in the United States will give more advantages to women.  What also complicates matters is judicial prejudice. Courts will assume that in regards to child custody, they will be better off with the mother. There is no equality in Family Law. Once again, there is little protest from Feminists. Double standards discredit many claims of the movement. Both parents who are divorced should contribute equally to their children’s well-being.

            Third Wave Feminism attempts to promote role models to empower girls. The role models they select are actually a hindrance to their goal. They believe that society is so patriarchal, that it encourages girls and women to have low self-esteem. To counter it they promote and praise certain women of notable influence. Two examples are Hillary Clinton and Beyonce Knowels. These two individuals who are popular in Feminists circles are terrible role models. Hillary Clinton represents the corruption of US politics. As Secretary of State her foreign policy decisions were both reckless and belligerent. Libya will remain a shameful legacy of her poor judgment. Hillary Clinton was vociferously calling for the US to intervene in Libya during its civil war. The result was that the US embassy was attacked by the same armed groups the West embraced when the war broke out. Hillary Clinton has never been at the forefront of Feminist causes. Usually she will state a few words of support, but never actively promotes Feminist ideas or causes. This becomes even more puzzling, because she has many Feminist supporters. Recently Beyonce Knowels has been adopted as a Feminist icon. This is self-defeating, because of the huge amount of contradictions. This singer basically makes her fortune by sexually objectifying herself. Somehow Feminists explain this as a woman taking control of her body and sexuality. Her performances have her sing in revealing clothing and this becomes more of the focus than her music.  This conveys a subtle message that the only way women can gain power is by their physical appearance or presenting themselves as sex objects. Her power may come from her income, but is controlled by the music companies that license her songs. Most of the music labels are still controlled by men. These Third Wave Feminist icons are certainly not up standing examples for young girls.

            The state of the Feminist movement is divisive. The modern from has turned into an interest group for white women of the upper and middle class. Women of other ethnic groups are either marginalized or silenced. The movement use to be about equal rights, but now it is for the establishment of special privileges. Some women do not even want to use the label Feminist.  This does not mean that sexism does not exist. What this movement transformed into has ultimately been counterproductive.