Can't overstate how big of a revelation this book was for me. It walked the perfect line between fantastic science… I was thinking about what Santiago said in today’s page. Cynical as it is, it seemed true—that war is a part of human nature. I decided to do a Google search and I was surprised that it brought up the question several different ways before I even finished typing. Apparently, there are a lot of people thinking about this.
The answer, according to the New York Times, is that only 8% of recorded human history has the world been at peace. Just 268 years out of 3,400.
There are some big philosophical questions behind that statistic. Namely, as a species can we evolve beyond war? If so, how? If on the other hand, violence is an inevitable circumstance of clashing civilizations, are we doing the best we can to minimize the impact of war on our planet?
I recently heard a podcast with Douglas Fry, an anthropology professor and author of “Beyond War: The Human Potential for Peace”. I haven’t read it but in the interview he had a compelling viewpoint that ancient humans were not innately warlike. Maybe there is hope…
Keep it up guys, I’m really enjoying Space Corps!
That sounds interesting. I just checked Audible and it’s not there, so it looks like I’ll have to digest it the old fashioned way.
I’m skeptical in that the problem is right in the title. It’s the word “potential.” I don’t think humans are innately warlike or innately peaceful. I think humans are innately malleable and adapt to circumstance. I think the question isn’t, “Can humans be warlike or peaceful?”, but rather, “Can we create the circumstances where peace can thrive?” I’m not sure. It takes only a few humans to make war, but all of us to make peace.
Pacifism isn’t the answer for me, either. I wish it were.
Right now, I’m working on the next page. I sometimes listen to different podcasts and documentaries when drawing. Tonight I’m listening to the documentary series, “Auschwitz, Inside the Nazi state.” It’s tough to listen to. I can’t imagine what it was like to live through. At the heart of it is the truth that people did this to other people, and would have continued doing it unless stopped by force.
Nevertheless, if Fry has some answers, I’m interested in hearing him out. If you’ve got a link to the podcast, please post it.
http://chrisryanphd.com/tangentially-speaking/2014/12/3/101-doug-fry-anthropologist-of-peace
Love this comic, like an addiction constantly checking for new pages lol!
Thanks, Micheal. We’ve got more in the works. I’m hoping to have a new page up at the end of the week. It’s pretty far along already.
here is a interesting link to listen and download
http://chrisryanphd.com/tangentially-speaking/2014/12/3/101-doug-fry-anthropologist-of-peace
Thanks for posting that. I’ll definitely check it out.