20 ms·
I always have trouble with claims that our time is unique,because I can quickly construct arguments for just about any other time. So yes, our era is unique, bu
by Yawrehto 2y ago
I always have trouble with claims that our time is unique,because I can quickly construct arguments for just about any other time. So yes, our era is unique, but is it uniquely unique?
- srcnkcl 2y agoIt depends on who you are. Peasent? nothing different until 1750, Aristocrat? unique pretty much any time humanity invented something.
- appplication 2y agoWe do have the unique ability for a very small number of decision makers (theoretically one, but in practice maybe a few more) to completely eradicate all life on earth, or at a minimum vast swaths of it, within minutes. Nuclear weapons are uniquely unique. We manage to avoid self-extermination through having relatively cool heads in charge of these decisions, but that is a cultural norm, not a universal guarantee. If you assume there any chance at all that someone willing to use these ever ends up in control of this capability, on a long enough timeline that is essentially guaranteed to happen.