Mark A. RaynerJul 2, 2023
Interesting way to think about this.
Show threadJohn ArnoldJul 2, 2023

@markarayner This sentiment seems to me to adhere to a modern Western tradition of disparaging one’s ancestors.

Most peoples worldwide show greater respect towards the ways of being and insights of those who have gone before.

Show threadJohn O’Donnell
@JohnDA @markarayner
That’s why The West created the modern world.
We didn’t do things because our ancestors did, we actually asked why things were the way they were, and when we found out why, the discoveries changed society.
In the simplest terms, that’s why some countries are creating quantum computers, while others are executing people for witchcraft.
Jul 3, 2023 at 11:34amWeb
Show threadJohn ArnoldJul 3, 2023

@Jodami @markarayner I don’t believe we need to take an extreme position of disparaging our ancestors (as I felt the original post did) nor worshipping them uncritically. Yet people in the past were less stupid and benighted than some make out.

Also, give it time and these “dead people” will be us!

I wouldn’t get too smug about the cleverness of the West, either – we are also very effectively destroying the biosphere. I’d say being less narrow-minded may well be helpful to us.