Egypt. How fragile our civilisation.
 

Yet another example of a complete breakdown of society. No matter how evolved and special we believe us to be as a mammal race, we constantly display how thin the line we are walking as a society is. At the core we are still very much governed by our ancestral primitive stress responses of survival. The thin veil of civility is but a breath away from the blindly charging predator.

It surprises me how people can resort to violence so easily.
And how the herd mentality drives everybody almost insane.

I bet the English were saying the same thing back in 1776. LOL... I'm pretty happy the colonies had the herd mentality back then.

It's okay - it could never happen here. We're far too civilized and advanced as a society and don't glorify violence as part of our culture or anything like that...

(green implied)

One can never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.

Its just so sad how easily the beast shines threw the weak shell of humanity. Not surprising perhaps, but sad. All the suffering that arguably could have been avoided.

The long view of humanity will show beyond any reasonable doubt that violence, including whole-sale slaughter, is a recurrent theme.

well duh

I don't understand why the truth isn't more obvious.


KT

Half of the workers in the country are making less than 2.50 US a day. Then there are the super wealthy, and a leader who hasn't ''lost'' an election in 30 years.

No, I can't understand why they are pissed. Actually, they have been remarkably well mannered.

It could never happen here.... (another reason I have a well stocked armory in the basement)...

Your right - that would never happen - we have too many guns.

We were watching the news and my wife mentioned how many rocks they have there!!! She said "where do you think they are getting all of those rocks" :)

All the technological advancement we have achieved makes people forget they are still basically cavemen. The sweaty palms, queasy stomach and racing heart rate when you go to the dentist, fight or flight response; basic caveman wiring still for the naked ape.

Our knowledge has outstripped our wisdom.

I will repeat one can never underestimate the predictability of stupidity...as in it took the events in Cairo to fill you all in that mans civilization is just a thin veneer that is easily stripped away. Now you know the basis of my doom and gloom forecasts. For me that is SOP that I am aware of every waking minute.

What percentage of the Egyptian population is actively protesting? And of that percentage, what percentage is violent?

I don't see the Egyptian issue as a complete breakdown of anything. It is a conflict over control that provides an opportunity for a few folks to go nuts. Just like when a professional sports team wins a championship or a jury returns a verdict that is unpopular. Almost everybody takes it in stride, but there is a segment in every society that becomes destructive.

The thugery that has been unleashed was the pro Mubrak forces.