When you in passing by happen to overhear a conversation between two elderly people, nine out of ten the subject of their conversation will be
that they have been to the doctor, that some relative is in the hospital, that someone had to have an operation, that there are problems with.....
When you open the newspaper, what first strikes your eye is the plethora of problems and disasters, that are occurrinng in our world with climate change winning the prize today.
what I have become aware of for long now, is that Homo sapiens has an probably inborn inclination to focus on the negative side of his existence here on this planet.
On the other hand we also have a probably inborn nature to strive for the good, to improve our lives and that of others, even when it isn't family.
Our current project is about the phenomenon that our mind was able to discover patterns in our environment and that we were able to discover principles on which these patterns were based.
And due to this ability we were able to improve our knowledge of our reality, even so much that were were able to develop a vaccin against a totally invisible covid enemy in no time today.
However,, in our class a number of times we discussed the questionable situation in the United States, the horrible right wing movement, the questionable behavior of a Mr. Trump and so on.
In other words..... our world is going down the drain, isn't it? We need a lantern to find the little moments of the good, it seems.
But is that really our reality? True, when you follow the media, the news programs and the newspapers, apparently we live in a world of natural disaster, crime, economic and political disasters.
Then. let me show you proof, that it is in fact a kind of misconception.
Our culture is based on the concept of individualism, on the belief that every individual person has rights,
the right to live, the right of security, the right of having sufficient food, a roof over our head and healthcare and so on.
In every society where a small group has seized all wealth and power and claims these rights only for themselves
and leave the rest of society for what it is or even oppress any protest, we see a corrupt elite and an autocrat at the helm.
But how is the world, that is, mankind really doing?
In Stockholm, Sweden, there is the IDEA. the International Institute for Democracy and electoral assistance.
QUOTE - We develop comparative knowledge, assist in democratic reform, and influence policies and politics,
focusing in our main impact areas: electoral processes, constitution-building, democracy assessments,
and political participation and representation. We also address issues of gender equality and inclusion, and conflict and security. - END QUOTE
That is what the institute does and here comes the catch. Each year the institute publishes a report on the status of democracy in the world
and on its website I found a map, which inspired me to this lecture and to tell you about it. Just look at the map behind me......
I only can come to one conclusion, from a social and political point of view the world has become a better place for a lot more people in the past 50 years.
But let me warn you. When you read the report, you'll read this:
QUOTE - The number of countries undergoing ‘democratic backsliding’ (a more severe and deliberate kind of democratic erosion) has never been
as high as in the last decade, and includes regional geopolitical and economic powers such as Brazil, India and the United States. - END QUOTE
So, there is still enough to worry about.....
Thank you for your attention...
IDEA
https://www.idea.int/about-us/annual-reports
IDEA Map
https://www.idea.int/gsod-indices/democracy-indices
IDEA download report
[13:14] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): i didn't know that about Germany
[13:15] Ian Newt: Very interesting herman... I have a question about the 'Freedom of Thought' map. What is meant by 'Freedom of Thought'... how can anyone control anyone else's thoughts? Doesn't every human have freedom of thought?
[13:15] herman Bergson: I just saw the map myself
[13:16] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): nothing green on the map in 2014 and sweden ranked then with Systematic discrimination
[13:16] herman Bergson: Of course it means the freedom of expressing your thoughts
[13:16] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): the map below looks better, still way to many dark areas
[13:17] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but yes stuff goes the wrong direction in some places, Hungary and Poland are 2 scary examples
[13:17] herman Bergson: Yet the democracy map looks better for 2020
[13:17] Medussa Reddevil: I am surprise that these maps show Spain as a little orange respect the violations of freedom of expression, and I say this because in 2017 we got to get out on the streets to defend with our bodies our right to vote, Can you imagine that in 2017 in Europe?
[13:18] Medussa Reddevil: In needs to be dark red.
[13:19] herman Bergson: Today you mean Medussa?
[13:19] Ian Newt: Probably on both maps.
[13:19] Medussa Reddevil: Yes, today Spain should be a darker red
[13:20] herman Bergson: Isn't is a democracy anymore and discriminating people?
[13:20] Medussa Reddevil: ufff... I would not call this democracy
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok
[13:20] Medussa Reddevil: When you go to prison for writing a song about the King
[13:21] Ian Newt: Democracy in name only. Sort of a facade.
[13:21] herman Bergson: Ohh....
[13:21] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): have no check on whats happening in spain at moment but that sounds indeed not good
[13:21] Medussa Reddevil: Not good at all
[13:21] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and very un-european
[13:21] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): as said, things go in wring direction at some places
[13:21] herman Bergson: yes, neither have I detailed knowledge of the situation in Spain
[13:21] Medussa Reddevil: Our rightful president of Catalonia is in exile since 2017 for allowing people to vote
[13:22] herman Bergson: Oh dear...Catalonia
[13:22] Medussa Reddevil: He is in the Eurochamber fighting for rights
[13:22] herman Bergson: But the voting in Catalonia was unconstitutional, wasn't it?
[13:23] Medussa Reddevil: anyway, I don´t want to focus this discussion in our case but yes, many countries as getting back to old costumes
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm indeed
[13:23] oola Neruda: I'm glad you are speaking of these things, Medussa
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): worrying development in many places
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): need to turn
[13:23] oola Neruda: Some things do not get covered...in the news...
[13:24] Medussa Reddevil: Is incostitucional to ask the people what is their opinion?
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): the Catalonia thing i heard about before
[13:24] Ian Newt: The supreme court of Spain declared it unconstitutional, but that court is political
[13:24] Medussa Reddevil: Is not specified in Human Rights List the right to vote?
[13:24] herman Bergson: I thought the maps showed at least some improvements....?
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): some laces have became better but others sadly worse
[13:25] herman Bergson: An increase in the number of (almost) democratic countries
[13:25] Ian Newt: They appear, overall, to indicate improvements, yes.
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:26] herman Bergson: Which may be regarded as a positive achievement of mankind....
[13:26] theo Velde is online.
[13:26] herman Bergson: but keep in mind....these maps show an overall score...
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats true
[13:27] herman Bergson: so a matter like Catalonia weighs less in the total score of Spain
[13:27] Ian Newt: I don't believe that humankind is much different today that it was thousands of years ago. Superficially we're different due to technology and its affect upon daily life, but we're not fundamentally different.
[13:28] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): i agree Ian
[13:28] herman Bergson: You could question the fact that the US with its voter restriction laws, gerrymandering and discrimination is dark green....
[13:28] oola Neruda: Unfortunately, I have to agree
[13:29] herman Bergson: I would like to add a nuance to Ian's remark.....
[13:29] FrannyDJ Dean is offline.
[13:29] herman Bergson: In what sense are we the same....?
[13:29] oola Neruda: and the US is becoming something unrecognizable.. or... unfortunately, much to recognizable
[13:29] herman Bergson: I think that in our irrationality and emotion driven behaviors we are the same as a thousand years ago
[13:30] herman Bergson: There I agree with Ian
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and greed and power hungryness. (Erdogan Kim jong Putin)
[13:30] oola Neruda: technology makes the spread of ... "thoughts" much easier
[13:30] herman Bergson: but we are not the same in our social organization whithin which this irrational creature homo sapiens lives
[13:31] herman Bergson: bad thoughts and good thoughts indeed oola
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): only a few are like that but when those few can hold an entire countries population hostage
[13:31] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): we can say and write what we want, but do we need to say everything what we want?
[13:31] herman Bergson: That makes me wonder too all the time Bejiita
[13:31] oola Neruda: i have a journalism background... and have been watching proplganda taking over... slowly and more subtle at first...but now it is blaring
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): why no-one shoot the bastards. its millions against a few, well but those few have equally corrupted evil armies in their side that will do short work of the opposers, thats why nothing happens
[13:33] herman Bergson: violence isn't the solution Bejiita
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): look at the islamic spring, it ended with disaster and the Syrian war
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): evil wins
[13:33] Ian Newt: How is our social organization different today, herman?
[13:33] oola Neruda: even the laws that should contain propaganda... are being ignored.... one should be able to sue the reporters who lie... but I do not see that happening... on way FoX gets around it is by having a license that calls it entertainment... rather than news
[13:33] herman Bergson: To answer Ian, ....
[13:33] herman Bergson: look at the democracy map
[13:34] herman Bergson: the difference is that the individual citizen is protected in his rights
[13:34] herman Bergson: in a democracy
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats how it should work indeed
[13:35] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): when I watch FOX it surprises me everytime
[13:35] oola Neruda: they are lies... propaganda
[13:35] herman Bergson: yes...and especially Tucker Carlson
[13:35] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): ye
[13:35] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): terrible
[13:36] herman Bergson: BUT...that is one of the values of democracy...free speech...
[13:36] herman Bergson: even terrible speech within the restrictions of the law
[13:36] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): but many people believe what he says
[13:36] oola Neruda: news orgainizations have to follow laws... to be honest
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): here in Sweden we have a say "using the democrazy to get rid of it"
[13:36] oola Neruda: Fox does not
[13:36] Ian Newt: What's interesting to me is that the stuff that comes out of Fox News, and the people who believe it... that's been going on for a long time, but during the 4 years of Trump it's like Pandora's box was opened.
[13:37] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): yes Ian
[13:37] Medussa Reddevil: I think we did not advance too much since old times, the known panem et circenses applies still now. If there is a big problem put some juicy news about famous or knows people and creates a distraction. The news are helping a lot to it.
[13:37] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): i thought it was Trumps news sender
[13:37] herman Bergson: Yes.... and WHY do people WEANT to believe it?
[13:37] Ian Newt: I read somewhere that Trump is documented to have told more than 27,000 lies while in office. How can someone get away with that? How can the people who voted for him tolerate that?
[13:38] herman Bergson: no...Rupert Murdoch is the owner Beertje
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmmm indeed, and now he is on blabbering again how he lost and blah blah WAAAAH WAAAH
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sigh
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): at least now i dont hear about it all the time
[13:38] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): i know Herman, but it felt that Trump was the owner
[13:39] herman Bergson: I am quite puzzled about that behavior Ian
[13:39] oola Neruda whispers: at first they embraced trump as he ran for office because people tuned in to hear what he had to say... as a candidate... that affected ratings... which brought in more money through advertising... in the end, it was about MONEY
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): in any case what is going on now in US is threatening the democrazy for sure
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its not how it should work
[13:39] herman Bergson: or take chosen representatives in Congress who still refuse to acknowledge that Trump lost the elections
[13:39] Medussa Reddevil: Did anybody seen the movie " The Comey Rule " Trump seemed to "own" everything.
[13:40] Ian Newt: it's always about MONEY
[13:40] Ian Newt: everything is about MONEY
[13:40] herman Bergson: Most of the time indeed
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sadly yes
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sigh
[13:40] oola Neruda: money...is at the bottom of a lot of it
[13:40] herman Bergson: The magic mantra is: if the economy is growing everything is well
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Trump have definitely bribed his way through, if i did like him i would be in jail on lifetime sentence by now
[13:41] oola Neruda: lobbyists... and other "interests"
[13:41] Medussa Reddevil: So probably if Fox had somebody with some principles... poofed
[13:41] Medussa Reddevil: I agree Herman.
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): or no i would probably be in a mattress cell for life
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its amazing he have gotten away with everything
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but indeed money is everything
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): it seems
[13:42] herman Bergson: If the USA stays a democracy will be shown in the 2022 elections
[13:42] oola Neruda: nods... scary
[13:42] Medussa Reddevil: Indeed
[13:42] Ciska Riverstone is offline.
[13:42] theo Velde is offline.
[13:43] Ian Newt: There's a fundamental flaw in human society that will eventually overshadow everything else... too much depends on continual and never-ending 'growth'. I read the other day that a decrease in the birth rate means that there won't be enough people for economies to continue to grow at high enough rates to sustain standards of living.
[13:43] herman Bergson: with all voter suppression laws in place , totally jerrymandered districts....
[13:43] Ian Newt: But there are already TOO MANY humans on the planet.
[13:43] oola Neruda: that is terrifying
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm i really hope for the best, but thuse Mr T supporters hmmm. at least that Shanon cult leader or what it was called is in jail now
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): for storming the congress
[13:44] Medussa Reddevil: I agree Ian, the eternal growth
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:44] herman Bergson: I don't think there are too many people on this planet....but the problem is a fair distribution of resources...
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): true
[13:44] oola Neruda: on the other hand, an increase in population means just that many more people either contributing to climate change.... or suffering under it.... and food will be a major problem
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): to few have too much
[13:45] Ian Newt: In the 2022 elections it's likely that congress will swing away from the Democratic party and toward the Republican party. That's normal in the U.S. -- congress typically swings away from the party of the current president.
[13:45] herman Bergson: and it is already a proven fact that growth is not a conditio sine qua non for survival...
[13:45] oola Neruda: there will be food shortages
[13:45] Ian Newt: It's part of the balances built into the American system.
[13:45] herman Bergson: self sustaining economic systems without growth are also doable
[13:46] oola Neruda: water is becoming more scarce... the aquafirs are nearly drained.. partially because of irrigation methods currently using them up
[13:46] herman Bergson: indeed oola....a good example....
[13:47] herman Bergson: the water shortage in California is caused by those platages, what are they.....for peanuts....I forgot
[13:47] Medussa Reddevil: I think we have passed the point where we could have done things correctly.
[13:47] oola Neruda: California asked Chicago to send Lake Michigan water to California... I'm not sure how they planned to make that happen...
[13:47] oola Neruda: Chicago said no
[13:48] Ian Newt: I agree Medussa.
[13:48] herman Bergson: all water is spend on agricultural irrigation in Calefornia
[13:48] herman Bergson: I am not that pessimistic Medussa :-)
[13:48] Medussa Reddevil: I am not pessimistic, I am realistic :D
[13:49] herman Bergson smiles
[13:49] oola Neruda: they are getting desperate...the water table has gone down so far... and poor people who have normal wells have very little access to water... the wells are going dry
[13:49] Ian Newt: I don't think it's pessimism. More like being realistic.
[13:49] herman Bergson: Ah yes..that is what it is called , realistic :-)
[13:49] Medussa Reddevil: hehehe
[13:49] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:49] oola Neruda: the big farmers dig their wells deeper than the rest of the people
[13:49] herman Bergson: indeed oola
[13:49] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that creates big problems indeed
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): not good
[13:50] Ian Newt: People have a tendency not to act unless it's really really urgent. Unless they are pursuing pleasure, and then they act earlier.
[13:50] herman Bergson: because that is good for the economy.......:-(
[13:50] oola Neruda: they can afford to...
[13:51] Ian Newt: There are so many examples of this. The dangerous intersection that everyone recognizes as dangerous doesn't get a traffic light until someone is killed in an accident there.
[13:51] oola Neruda: they can afford to dig a deeper well
[13:51] oola Neruda: and not even then
[13:51] herman Bergson: It all begins to sound a little realistic here.....I thought I'd better bring some positive, somewhat optimistic view :-)
[13:51] Ian Newt: People live on flood plains.. until there is a big flood.
[13:51] Medussa Reddevil: People will have to migrate. Wait when the water rises... this last week rained scorpions in Egypt!
[13:52] oola Neruda: and people die as they try to migrate...
[13:52] herman Bergson: It also has rained frogs there, if I am not mistaken
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ITS THE END OF THE WOOORLD
[13:52] Medussa Reddevil: lol
[13:52] herman Bergson: Bejiita ! :-)
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): BONG BONG BONG!
[13:52] Medussa Reddevil: lol
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well hopefully not
[13:52] Medussa Reddevil: it´s life :)
[13:53] herman Bergson: Isay....how limited we may be in our capabilities, we do a good job
[13:53] Ian Newt: The end of the world "as we know it". Earth will survive, despite humanity.
[13:53] herman Bergson: we are just a passing plague for nature Ian ^_^
[13:53] Medussa Reddevil: I think so ian
[13:54] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): not if we nuke it and all life, plants ect on it
[13:54] Ian Newt: Plague is a good word for us. :-)
[13:54] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but that i hope not will come to reality
[13:54] Medussa Reddevil: Yes
[13:54] herman Bergson: I still believe that we'll manage as mankind
[13:55] Medussa Reddevil: The yes was for Ian´s comment lol
[13:55] herman Bergson: Yes ^_^
[13:55] oola Neruda: I sigh to realize that people who believe the things Q Anon says.... are out there...
[13:55] oola Neruda: and that there are so many of them
[13:55] herman Bergson: It is a minority oola
[13:56] oola Neruda: enough to tip a scale
[13:56] oola Neruda: combined with certain other .... groups
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa Q Anon was the name i tried to remember
[13:56] Ian Newt: I'm not sure how 'minor' that minority is, herman
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm indeed
[13:56] herman Bergson: the more people say that the more this minority is strengthened in its convictions...
[13:57] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and they are all on mr Ts side
[13:57] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sigh
[13:57] herman Bergson: Stop being a megaphone for crackpots :-)
[13:57] Medussa Reddevil: ahhHHAHA
[13:57] herman Bergson: It is a structural flaw in the news media
[13:57] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): lol but aren't they
[13:58] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): most of the time minorities yell very loud
[13:58] Ian Newt: Here's a news media outlet with a different perspective: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/
[13:58] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but well i have seen the congress being stormed by some insane mob and it looks like well
[13:58] herman Bergson: We have a crackpot in parlement....representing a small party
[13:58] oola Neruda: combine them with the people who are anti-this... anti-that or pro-whatever
[13:58] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that its everything
[13:58] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): ohyes
[13:58] herman Bergson: His main goal is to create upheaval
[13:58] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): that annoying little man
[13:58] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but indeed that thing was insane, but hopefully its MUCH calmer now over there
[13:58] Medussa Reddevil: They said that the far right was just a small group... Europe is starting to have more and more representatives. That´s scary.
[13:59] Ian Newt: The thing that makes me nervous about 'crackpots' who get elected is that often they are perfectly sane and quite intelligent... it's the people who vote for them who are the crackpots.
[13:59] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:59] herman Bergson: so he loves to compare for instance vaccination with the Jewish yellow star ofr the holocaust
[13:59] Medussa Reddevil: ufff
[13:59] herman Bergson: the media here most of the time ignore him now
[13:59] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): oooof
[13:59] Ian Newt: That's what happened with Trump. He's much smarter than he seems.
[14:00] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): he might be but in the wrong things
[14:00] herman Bergson: Take Lauren Boebard or Taylor Green.....complete incompetent idiots but chosen
[14:01] Medussa Reddevil: Who is the small man you guys talking about? I am lost
[14:01] herman Bergson: But at the moment the US is really a special case in the hstory of democracy
[14:01] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): his name not to be mentioned
[14:01] herman Bergson: Voldemort.....:-)
[14:01] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): yes:)
[14:01] Medussa Reddevil: lol
[14:01] Medussa Reddevil: ok
[14:02] herman Bergson: I am not afraid ^_^
[14:02] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hahaha yes THAT is the closest comparison u can get to him
[14:02] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[14:02] Marja Haven-Zeimer (ladyy.haven) is offline.
[14:02] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Mr V
[14:02] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hehe
[14:03] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): welll i hope things turn out good in the end in some way
[14:03] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): all u can do
[14:03] Medussa Reddevil: we all hope :D
[14:03] herman Bergson: I agree with you Bejiita...and I still have faith
[14:03] bergfrau Apfelbaum: think now we can all use this dancer :-) i send you
[14:03] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): me too, and soon its all christmas parties!
[14:04] bergfrau Apfelbaum: add it
[14:04] herman Bergson: Good idea, Bergie
[14:04] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): what was the name of it
[14:04] herman Bergson: Class dismissed......
[14:04] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i think i should have it on me
[14:04] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): used it yesterday
[14:04] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): YAY! (yay!)
[14:04] bergfrau Apfelbaum: happy on
[14:05] Medussa Reddevil: woohoo
[14:05] bergfrau Apfelbaum: yay
[14:05] Medussa Reddevil: YAY! (yay!)
[14:05] herman Bergson: yay
[14:05] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): in the end all is good after all
[14:05] Ian Newt: We hope that the asteroid that is currently not a danger to hit the earth, that is the target of the NASA mission to test its 'asteroid deflection' system, doesn't become a threat by accident.
[14:05] Medussa Reddevil: omalord
