Can humanity live together in peace despite our vast
differences?

We've got differences in race, language, religion,
ethnicity, political affiliation, and more that can
cause conflict.

We have groups that see other groups as being lower
in their self-made hierarchy. Groups that believe in the
old saying, "Good fences make good neighbours", or it's
better when "Birds of a feather flock together".
There's less conflict amongst them.

How can we bridge the differences and learn to live in peace?

Or, is segregation the answer?

Is it even possible in the age of globalisation?

Dear Foxy,

Global peace is not possible at our age.
It is simply unnatural, how more so when there are so many, way too many, people on this planet.
Expecting it would only bring on unquenched frustration.

This however, does not prevent us from finding inner peace,
then creating islands of peace around us.

The problem might be you Foxy.
Not you personally, but a collective of people in the West that think like you.
Let me ask, did you not write this 2 days ago?

"Trump simply can't be elected. He just can't.
Imagine what would happen to the Ukraine. To China's
attempted influence in the Pacific. To the Baltic States
and other former Soviet occupied lands. To giving Israel
a freer hand. And the list goes on."

You once started a thread commending the virtue of tolerance, did you not?
I counter-argued for 'intolerance', saying you wouldn't let a pedophile babysit your kids.

"Trump simply can't be elected"
- Everyone says 'democracy is so great';
Next minute, they're saying 'the outcome is unacceptable'

"Imagine what would happen to the Ukraine."
Yes. Imagine what would happen if the U.S overthrew the elected government, put a regime in place that supported alignment with the EU and NATO.
- a million dead?

"To China's attempted influence in the Pacific."
If China gains any influence in the Pacific, it's because nations are choosing to do business with them in a way that benefits them both.

"To the Baltic States and other former Soviet occupied lands."
The Baltic Chihuahuas...
Yes, what'll happen when the West makes you the next Ukraine?
You all seem to have it in for Putin, it's like you all have a form of collective PTSD, maybe a bit like the indigenous Australians.
The US can harness your anger, make you do stupid things.

Here's the Estonian Prime Minister saying Russia should be dismantled.
http://x.com/eeldenden/status/1792880764498935872/video/1
Maybe if the chihuahuas keep ankle biting, they might eventually get kicked?

Trump pulled out of the IMF treaty, and after you killed Russians on a beach in Sevastopol, Russian people are so angered they're talking limited nuclear strikes on NATO member states.

"How can we bridge the differences and learn to live in peace?"
- Stop thinking in terms of 'good guys and bad guys' regarding the Wests adversaries, this will only lead you to war.
Try to think in terms of mutual interests and compromise.

Hi AC,

We live in a complex world. And there probably are many
more differences between us as there are similarities.
Our differences in race, language, religion, ethnicity,
political affiliations, and more - cause conflict
between us - making tolerance difficult at times,
especially when our personal and our family's lived
experiences also influence our thinking.

My family has lived experience with the Soviet Regime as
have the Baltic Nations. And for that reason - we look
at what's happening in the Ukraine, and Putin with different
eyes to you. That may make us "intolerant", but it comes from
actual lived experience and the suffering of our people over
the decades.

Hi Yuyutsu,

Thank you for your advice.

Creating peace within ourselves - is certainly a good
start. But it takes a strong person to be able to
succeed and not pay attention to the many negative
influences around
us that we have to deal with on a daily basis.

Look at the huge influence the media plays in our lives.
Instead of reporting on the news - the media drives it.
What they cover and how they cover it often determines what
people think and how they perceive issues.

Look at what we saw regarding Laura Tingle's comment on racism.
At how Senator Fatima Payman is being portrayed. The media
currently is not reporting Biden's a loser. they are making
him one. And the list goes on.

Our elections are based on how voters understand situations
and evaluate candidates. This in large part is shaped by the
media. Whether we like to admit it or not - it becomes
difficult to bridge the gaps between us - when the media has
an agenda of its own.

I remember growing up in Sydney and making judgements
about other people's habits, customs, clothes, and
ways of speaking and values. I did this to people who
were different from myself. It wasn't until I got to
know some of these people that I began to realize that
the world did not come with only one "truth" or only one
"reality."

It was only much, much, later that I began to see that
what I saw as Truth was very often a social construct and
that this Truth differed across cultures.

I guess my education was slow - and this sometimes happens
when you're confined only to one single culture. It becomes
incredibly hard to see that one's way is not the only way.

Travelling overseas helped free my mind. The rest followed.

Also, I was in hospital not so long ago which had very
diverse staff and patients. I learned having a sense of humour
really helped - and I learned a great deal. Especially not to
pre-judge people.