What Will Future Generations Identify as the Most Stupid Actions of Our Era?

Imagine looking back at our era from a thousand years hence. Will our descendants view our daily actions as agreeing to the terms of questionable tech privacy policies, or the persistence of gas-powered vehicles in the age of electric alternatives? Will they shake their heads at our frequent wars, or at our stubborn adherence to some ideologies at the expense of global harmony?

Cutting Through the Noise: Reflections on Mankind's Short Sightedness

Andrew Black and many others might pose similar questions about why we do certain things in the name of progress. Yet, it is a testament to our enduring struggles that these queries remain so relevant even in the span of mere six millennia—or perhaps even longer. The rhetoric around such conversations has persisted as long as civilization itself, much like the mythical Moloch's moles and the ancient deities of Sumerian lore.

Why Will Future Generations Think We Were Stupid?

Much of our current actions are shaped by biases, prejudices, and willful ignorance. We jump to conclusions, often with poor outcomes, and sometimes even fail to heed good advice unsolicited. These behaviors contribute to a host of issues, from toxic food and corrupt systems to narcissistic tendencies and inaction in the face of evident problems. However, the future may not think much of these observations, as they might be too busy with social media or absorbed in video games.

The Ineffectiveness of Modern Technology and Media

Instead of using technology to advance human knowledge, especially in fields like mathematics and science, we have fragmented our digital resources across countless platforms, each catering to specific, often trivial, interests. For example, instead of having a single, focused platform for advanced discourse and scientific debate, we have numerous platforms that warp and twist our cultural fabric with endless, trivial content.

Examples of Stupidity from Our Era

Some of the most glaring instances of stupidity will be:

War: Our history is replete with conflicts that have brought little except suffering and stunted our progress. Racism and Inequality: Persistent discrimination and uneven distribution of resources continue to plague humanity. Persistence of Internal Combustion Engines: Ignoring the inefficiencies and environmental harm of gas-powered vehicles in favor of more sustainable alternatives. Social Media and Gaming: Focusing on trivialities and entertainment at the expense of real progress. Small Decisions: Simple choices like whether to use raisins or candied fruit on a cake, which could be seen as a symbol of our focus on petty details at the expense of bigger, more pressing issues.

Optimizing Digital Resources for Humanity's Benefit

Instead of these missteps, future generations might reflect on the potential we missed to streamline our digital platforms for a greater good. Imagine a single platform focused on the latest philosophical, scientific, and cultural discussions. This platform could unite minds and accelerate human understanding, much like the Renaissance of old but with the power of modern technology. In this hypothetical scenario, they might argue, we could achieve far more in half the time if we used our digital resources wisely.

Conclusion

The actions of the current era might seem trivial to future generations who will have long surpassed our technological and societal milestones. However, the specific details of what they think is foolish could be as varied as the differences between cosigning bad tech privacy agreements and the ongoing use of polluting vehicles. Regardless, the underlying issue is clear: we must learn to use our resources more wisely and focus on the bigger picture to truly benefit from our advancements.