GUINAN: Some may argue that a diamond is still a diamond, even if it is one amongst millions. It still shines as brightly.
SAMUEL CLEMENS: Someone might say that, dear lady, if someone thought that the human race was akin to a precious jewel. But this…increasingly hypothetical someone…would not be me.
One of the exceptional traits of humans is their ability to build and create tools. Language, reading and mathematics are some of the most powerful tools humans have and they’re all mental tools. Unfortunately that tool making skill is a double edged sword as it’s capable of both creating tools of information/education/etc. and tools of manipulation/misinformation/etc.
It wouldn’t be as much of an issue if there weren’t decades of cultivating mental tools of disinformation and manipulation, marketing/propaganda/public speaking/etc. and if humans can create those tools they can create tools that do the opposite.
Unfortunately, the “evil” tools are currently winning and will take quite a bit of effort to dismantle and healthy/productive tools built in their stead. Hoarding and rampant exploitation are not inherent laws and could be reversed. Seems rather unlikely at the moment, but teetering on the brink of extinction tends to cause pretty radical shifts.
BASHIR: What is this place?
SISKO: A Sanctuary District.
BASHIR: Twenty-first century history is not one of my strong points. Too depressing.
SISKO: It’s been a hobby of mine. They made some ugly mistakes, but they also paved the way for a lot of the things we take now for granted.
BASHIR: I assume this is one of those mistakes.
SISKO: A bad one. By the early twenty twenties there was a place like this in every major city in the United States.
BASHIR: Why are these people in here? Are they criminals?
SISKO: No. People with criminal records weren’t allowed in the Sanctuary Districts.
BASHIR: Then what did they do to deserve this?
SISKO: Nothing. They’re just people without jobs or places to live.
BASHIR: So they get put in here?
SISKO: Welcome to the twenty-first century, Doctor.
deleted by creator
I unfortunately agree.
GUINAN: Some may argue that a diamond is still a diamond, even if it is one amongst millions. It still shines as brightly.
SAMUEL CLEMENS: Someone might say that, dear lady, if someone thought that the human race was akin to a precious jewel. But this…increasingly hypothetical someone…would not be me.
One of the exceptional traits of humans is their ability to build and create tools. Language, reading and mathematics are some of the most powerful tools humans have and they’re all mental tools. Unfortunately that tool making skill is a double edged sword as it’s capable of both creating tools of information/education/etc. and tools of manipulation/misinformation/etc.
It wouldn’t be as much of an issue if there weren’t decades of cultivating mental tools of disinformation and manipulation, marketing/propaganda/public speaking/etc. and if humans can create those tools they can create tools that do the opposite.
Unfortunately, the “evil” tools are currently winning and will take quite a bit of effort to dismantle and healthy/productive tools built in their stead. Hoarding and rampant exploitation are not inherent laws and could be reversed. Seems rather unlikely at the moment, but teetering on the brink of extinction tends to cause pretty radical shifts.
Bell Riots comment; I came here for this. 10/10.