The value of human life

When I read an excellent article about the value of human life it connected with thoughts I have had at times . After my brother died at 52 from cancer I sometimes wondered at how some deaths get called a great tragedy and others pass by barely noticed at all . Then you have a situation where a person has lived to a ripe old age and its a tragedy or great loss when they pass on . Is it really ? Surely it is the cycle of life , birth , life and finally death . Mozart died at 35/36 and his music lives on yet if he died at 86 in todays world would be a tragedy or deep loss .

" Why? I don’t ask critically, because I’m as unmoved by the road toll as anyone. But it’s surely worth understanding how it is we decide which deaths matter, and which don't; which ones are galling and tragic, and which ones are mere statistics. We tell ourselves we care about the loss of innocent life as though it’s a cardinal, unwavering principle, but the truth is we rationalise the overwhelming majority of it. What does that tell us about ourselves?

FirstPrev123(page 3/3)
37 comments

Kopernicus why the self doubt you did nothing wrong , you were raised by your mum and Grandparents who loved loved . You were let down by an emotional cripple . Can we ever forgive abuse we suffered as a child I doubt it . But we have to live our one life as optimistic and proud of our achievements and enjoy the little things and every new day .,

Thanks Pete, it's a long story and he was traumatised by his part in the war (as a propaganda apparachik in the Polish army in Russia), in fact deserted a mere weeks before it ended. I don't recall my father ever being drunk in front of me - he had periods of oblivion and months at a time in rehab - all this sadly I did not know at the time. I never saw it as abuse, just never understood why he was never there, and as a child came to those conclusions.

Well I can begin to feel empathy for your Dad the eastern front was no picnic.,

Kopernicus..another touching story..I am glad you wrote about it because just doing that can help to heal the hurt that you must have always felt. There is always a sense of loss for a parent we never really knew whether it's from death, their absence or their weaknesses. The important thing is, as we get older and are able to see life from all angles, we realise our parents were only human beings with human failings, some are strong..some are not. You say you believe that he could not love you or he would be there..I don't think that at all because I believe his weakness got in the way. Sad thing is you will never know what was really in his heart, but the fact that he came back from time to time might indicate that in his way, he loved you but wasn't able to show it. 

Forgiveness  is not for the other person..it's for you to relinquish the wrong you feel that was done to you. Forgiveness sets you free and heals the wound..the fact that you're contemplating it means that this journey has started. A great man once said"Forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Thanks Dinks, I agree about the direction, but not sure how it will go.

Dinks, it's easy for others who haven't been through it to say forgive them but in reality that is very hard to do.

For some of us it has altered our lives entirely, with huge chunks missing, which makes you wonder what you had done wrong to have this happen.

Yes Sandi..the hardest thing is to forgive someone who has hurt you so badly it's made an indelible mark on your life. For some it might take a life time..for others a life time is not enough. But what is the alternative? Forgiving doesn't mean forgetting. All I know is that it is our only hope of healing. It doesn't mean those who have wronged us deserve to be forgiven but it gives us a chance to not keep reliving the injustices done to us and to realise that we did nothing wrong for anything to happen to us.  My thoughts are with you.

Try and be nice. It's not real hard.

Dinks,

Ummm...probably not wise to make this comment or revisit this issue and although I don't feel Solomon referring to you as a ".....miserable old grinch" was appropriate and completely comfortable with apologising for my lapse of forum protocol -  on reflection  can't help but see your reaction to my comment of 1.8.14 - 8.43am  as  being  'a needless, preachy and slightly too dramatic over-reaction'  to what I regard as a fairly minor misdemeanour i.e. going off topic - and which as explained by another member was in the sub-topic column anyway,  and which in reality occurs with regularity in natural conversation and time and again on this forum.

Similarly could perhaps relate to your reaction if I was dominating this particular  thread with 'off-topic inanity' - as I have seen happen from time to time - but my comment was a single/once only 'off-the-cuff response' to an earlier comment about ginger cats  - and being someone who doesn't need to be given a hint more than once,  think a simple reminder to stay on topic would have sufficed. 

Likewise am struggling a bit to see how my single 'off-the-cuff' tangented/segwayed comment diminished the value of of some of the other posters comments or why I should feel shame.....

And given that I would regard my contribution to the forum as that of an interested participant who posts every now and then, as compared to some who I would regard as prolific forum contributors, and nothing wrong with that of course, and as someone who very rarely becomes involved in banter, jokes,  or for that matter in the natural course of my behaviour rarely goes off topic,  unsure why you would regard me amongst and I paraphrase 

'the empty vessels who indeed make the most sound'.

And once again regard your response in this instance as 'needless, preachy and a slightly too dramatic over-reaction'.

Thank you.  THE END.

 

 

Now guys ready walking stick in each hand circle the wheelchairs and charge...

Shetso..thank you for your post. Must point out however that the said post did not mention you at all. Of course I don't know you very well, but I have enjoyed reading your posts and from those I can see your character and nothing I said was directed at you or else your name would have been mentioned in the said post. Sorry if you felt I was being preachy etc etc and the way you point this out was not in the least offensive. No hard feelings.

Abby explained about the sub topic provision and now I am all the wiser. She also did it in a non-offensive way. Solomon however, has a great problem with being polite, fair minded and impartial and feels that he can get over a point by just being mean, not only to me but it seems to everyone on the forum. Sad for him really. Have a lovely Saturday Shetso.

 

2. We are open to any kind of topic or debate, but the conversation needs to be constructive and kept on topic. You won’t ever see eye to eye with every other member on this forum, but that doesn’t make their opinion less valid.

Just a bit of background, we had one member who introduced "subtopics" which then took over and and "high jacked" the main Topic, she is no longer allowed to post and Drew put up the requirement to remain on topic. 

The format here as far as I have always been aware is a new comment can be in a new box made directly relating to the main subject otherwise it is open to "high jacking"

We are discussing human emotions on here so I fail to see how a picture of a cat smoking or it's gender can be classified as a sub-topic, it does indeed devalue the heartfelt posts of those who have exposed their emotions.

Viv

The conversation started from  my comment

Which is directly from the introductory passage of of the thread.

Birds and animals feel and grieve the same as humans- it is just humans with their selfish superiority only think about themselves

Rgarding the subtopics

No member can hijack a thread through sub topics, as any member can continue to carry on the conversation of the intended thread.

If subtopic were NOT to be used, which by the way we are doing now then the feature could be removed.

To my thoughts that is what the subtopic is for, people to be able to continue the normal thread of conversation without necesarily having to adhere to the topic as such.Others can by pass the sub topic if they do not want to join in - it is somewhat like sitting in a corner somewhere discussing a matter which is quite different to the main topic.

Of course if anyone feels they are being offended  they should just report the matter without going OFF TOPIC by some feeble attempts in trying to reprimand somebody

Perhaps this may be a good topic for the Box which Drew has put up for suggestions.

 

Abby the whole topic is about Human life as the opening article emphasizes with its conclusions you feel greatly about animals most of us do - but this is a subject about Humans. Why not open a similar thread a about animals?

Otherwise as seen it leads this whole topic into a different realm.

I have asked Drew already.

It is a new day folks.

If you can read this you are one of the lucky ones here to enjoy the new day. Forget yesterday and any nasties, supposed or otherwise, treat the day as a brand new experience.

Take it easy.

SD

Shaggy it probably has been posted but I didn't see it what happens next with NSB doesshe go along for regular check ups ?

Pete,

An MRI scan in Perth every 6 months for a year or so then if no change expanding out to every couple of years as I recall.

She is getting her mojo back more and more each day. Knocked the wind out of her a wee bit.

Take it easy.

SD

It does when you first get the news , but you do settle down I have been living with regular tests for CLL for fifteen years and still going strong . 

Viv.. according to my recent research on sub topics, you are absolutely correct. I copied this from a dictionary source: " A sub topic is something that is part of a broader area of discussion e.g. If you are writing about poverty and there is a section devoted specifically to urban poverty, then urban poverty would be a sub topic, not motor cars etc.etc.

Likewise if this present topic was for example: "The value of human life as compared to animals" then it would be all right to include cats, dogs etc. When Abby talked about sub topics, I took it to mean that this forum allowed a different kind of sub topic provision, which actually meant that people could deviate from the topic for a bit and then return to the main. All too confusing...

 

 

Dinks

Threads tend to wander off topic as they progress and sometimes deviate from the topic altogether . It seems to be what happens when most aspects have been discussed . I have had a lot of satisfaction from various posts on this thraed and even an appreciation of members concerning their thoughts and emotions . I am glad I put it up and appreciate the input it generated .

A slight from a person with an online moniker and no physical interaction , face to face , is of little import . Try to treat it in that manner although must admit easier said than done . I find it difficult myself . As Shaggy says , take it easy .

cheers geoff

To answer the post;  In my opinion  the value of a human life is becoming less and less every day.   

Like everything else we are just expendable and life moves on. 

A number plate in my are says it all........ "allaboutme"!

Or the song Raddy ...What about me it isn't fair ...you got lots and I've got no hair..

Noooooo. ME

FirstPrev123(page 3/3)
37 comments



To make a comment, please register or login

Preview your comment