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While we may not have reached the depraved depths of some past civilizations, the 20th century was by far the bloodiest century in human history (Lenin, Stalin,
by waynecochran 11y ago
While we may not have reached the depraved depths of some past civilizations, the 20th century was by far the bloodiest century in human history (Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot, Kim il-sung, Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un, ...) The vector is not towards any higher morals.
"There are more slaves today than were seized from Africa in four centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave trade." http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0309/feature1/ http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0309/feature1/
Torture is alive and well.
Forgiveness is the key for all of us. But this does not bypass justice. Forgiveness can not simply be sweeping atrocities under the rug. A price has to be payed. Fortunately it was and forgiveness is offered freely to whoever wants it. But generally few seem to care.
- jdc 11y agoOne big problem with using these stats as a morality vector is that they are not adjusted for population growth.
- waynecochran 11y agoIts difficult to measure if brutality, genocide, tortures is waxing or waning, but its long way from being non-existant.
- kawera 11y agoAlthough the 20th century wasn't peaceful by any means, there is some evidence that violence has decreased proportionally to the population. Steve Pinker's well researched The Better Angels of Our Nature is a good tome on the subject: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Better_Angels_of_Our_Nature https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Better_Angels_of_Our_Natur...
- jqm 11y agoThe 20'th century was probably the bloodiest only because of advanced technology. Just imagine Attila the Hun with tanks and nukes.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- noiseman 11y agoGenocide has always been a thing. The Romans wiped out god knows how many tribes. I'd say a 100% death rate for a particular tribe or nation is much bloodier than, say, 50%, wouldn't you?
- waynecochran 11y agoI would say both are beyond the threshold of horrifying. For someone to say these don't exist anymore is mind boggling.