We debate many, many things in this forum, and I truly respect the trillions of brain cells represented here. For this reason, I would like to ask all of you:

 

“What do you consider to be the most significant issues confronting our world today?”

 

There are no “right” or “wrong” answers. I do not have a secret answer up my sleeve that I’m going to spring upon some unsuspecting poster. I am genuinely seeking what you feel are the central issues of our day. They may be political, scientific, religious or philosophical in nature. No restrictions.

 

You are not limited to one answer. All issues you consider significant are fair game.

 

All polite and sincere answers are welcome and appreciated.

 

Thank you in advance. :thumb:

Islamic extremists

My top 3 confronting the world:

1. The genocide, mass murders, and essential child enslavement found in the failed and quasi-states in Africa.

2. The effects of globalization.

3. The Islamic "Reformation."

In politics - the influence of money on our legislators.

In religion - intolerance, born of bigotry.

In science - the search for total understanding of our own DNA (the answer almost certainly holds the key to eradicating so many diseases and conditions).

In economics - our (America's) national debt.

 

 

Frances

 

PS - good question, Fastbreak.

Good stuff folks... keep 'em coming... :thumb:

Welcome aboard Habib... :thumb:

 

I understand all your points, and though I wouldn't go as far as saying points one and three are self-explanitory, I do grasp their significance.

 

I am curious however, about your perspective on point number two.

2. The effects of globalization.

You don't have to go overboard, but could you elaborate just a bit more please?

... and you, Fastbreak? What about you?

 

 

Frances

... and you, Fastbreak? What about you?

 

 

Frances

I have to confess that I genuinely am not sitting on a simmering list of hot issues Franny... it's been a long day, and I'm truly zapped. I'll give it some thought after the coffee kicks in, in the morning and jump in too.

 

I really was just interested in what all you brainiacs had on your minds. I get tired of all the partisan political stuff and look forward to digging into matters of real substance.

 

This list could give us a supply of meaningful topics for months to come... :thumb:

 

Great points on your part by the way... :thumb:

Poverty amongst the exploding populations of 3rd world nations.

 

Rogue nations' ability to develop nuclear weapons.

 

China

Poverty amongst the exploding populations of 3rd world nations.

 

Rogue nations' ability to develop nuclear weapons.

 

China

Good points TTC... :thumb:

 

A little more on China would be helpful.

The loss of sustainable fresh water supplies at various points around the globe

 

Halting the spread of social post-modernism, or the "truth-is-what-you-make-of-it" crowd

 

Radical militant Islamic Extremists

 

For Americans, the inability to choose which children to educate and not educate in order to keep up with the world becoming flat, economically.

Good points TTC... :thumb:

 

A little more on China would be helpful.

 

There are many concerns with China (that's why I just listed China).

1. China is in a position to become the dominant world power in our lifetime in my opinion. If they were to ally themselves to a substantial degree with North Korea, this would be the first step in that direction.

2. With China's complete disregard for human rights, the country will continue to flood world markets with cheap goods that at some point could cripple the economies of other nations (US included).

3 Numbers. China has nearly 10x the population of the U.S. (I may be a little off on the amount but it is significant). In a conventional war of attrition, we would be in trouble.

4. China has a very strong military. They could wipe out Japan in the blink of an eye and basically roll over the countries comprising the former Soviet empire. With a little work, they could control nearly the entire Asian continent (that is a lot of natural resources at their disposal friends and neighbors)

Welcome aboard Habib... :thumb:

 

I understand all your points, and though I wouldn't go as far as saying points one and three are self-explanitory, I do grasp their significance.

 

I am curious however, about your perspective on point number two.

You don't have to go overboard, but could you elaborate just a bit more please?

 

Thanks for the welcome!

What I meant by the "effects of globalization" is that a lot of production is leaving the economic north and going into third world countries for cheaper labor. On the whole I think these workers are being paid fairly compared to their peers in their individual countries, but I think there is possibilty for human rights abuses and exploitation. I also think the third world countries welcome any type of employment to relieve them of poverty but overlook the influence new industry is having on their culture and their resources. On the other side we have job loss here. I'm not trying to make an argument against globalization, as I think it is a potentially great thing, but I think people need to see and address the different, and sometimes not so great, aspects of it.

...For Americans, the inability to choose which children to educate and not educate in order to keep up with the world becoming flat, economically.

I realize that I may be misreading this, Hearsay, but are you espousing the withholding of educational opportunity to some of our population? If so, what criteria would we use to select which children should be afforded the opportunity to be educated?

 

 

Frances

Thanks Habib, this actually ties into TTC's observations about China which is aspiring to "First World" status via traditional "Third World" abuses of its own citizens...

 

 

I have to say I'm very impressed with all the responses so far, I'll put together a list we can update as we go.

 

Keep the ideas flowing... :thumb: