Big Think

cvbb lljhl on January 17, 2008, 8:11 AM

Because the whole world is run by men who are in giant pissing match to be the King of the World. The meek will inherit the earth as result of this pissing match that has been going on since time began. Everyone wants more,more,more, when we should be happier with less. Take what you need, not what you think you want."Greed" pure & simple.

Todd L on January 17, 2008, 12:45 PM

Get your facts straight Mr Branson. Since 1976 only 1,097 people have been executed in the USA. That is 34 a year not "thousands of people every year" as you stated.

Get the facts man, you have the resources. Ignorance and indifference is a dangerous weapon.

cvbb lljhl on January 17, 2008, 1:11 PM

Because the whole world is run by men who are in giant pissing match to be the King of the World. The meek will inherit the earth as result of this pissing match that has been going on since time began. Everyone wants more,more,more, when we should be happier with less. Take what you need, not what you think you want.“Greed” pure & simple.

Todd L on January 17, 2008, 5:45 PM

Get your facts straight Mr Branson. Since 1976 only 1,097 people have been executed in the USA. That is 34 a year not “thousands of people every year” as you stated.

Get the facts man, you have the resources. Ignorance and indifference is a dangerous weapon.

Timothy Monicken on January 18, 2008, 8:08 PM

Sorry Sir Richard, I have to side with "Murphy Law!" Our track record as a species is NO kind of glowing example of "cooler heads prevailing." Both of the World Wars "happened" because of short-sighted empire-building and plain human GREED. We will only become "civilized" when the species as a whole entity, is working from the same page… I'm NOT say totalitarian one-mindedness, NOR am I advocating a laissez-fair capitalism without a conscience or sense of built-in assurances for bottom- line levels of "equity" for all. Ultimately, those who claim to be "civilized" can "afford" to be. While it was, albeit, a farcical comedy, "Trading Places" (with Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Lee Curtis), pretty much hit this issue squarely on the head.
And the "butler character," played by one of your own, Denholm Elliott, could see the travesty of the game being played out before him – himself, powerless to act until "things" feel into place which allowed him to take a bolder initiative.
In terms of Maslow's hierarchy, where the BASICS are concerned, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool socialist – "from cradle to grave!" "Life with measured dignity" SHOULD be an inalienable human right! Until that is achieved worldwide, any DREAMS of a civilized planet are merely that!

Timothy Monicken on January 19, 2008, 1:08 AM

Sorry Sir Richard, I have to side with “Murphy Law!” Our track record as a species is NO kind of glowing example of “cooler heads prevailing.” Both of the World Wars “happened” because of short-sighted empire-building and plain human GREED. We will only become “civilized” when the species as a whole entity, is working from the same page… I’m NOT say totalitarian one-mindedness, NOR am I advocating a laissez-fair capitalism without a conscience or sense of built-in assurances for bottom- line levels of “equity” for all. Ultimately, those who claim to be “civilized” can “afford” to be. While it was, albeit, a farcical comedy, “Trading Places” (with Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Lee Curtis), pretty much hit this issue squarely on the head.
And the “butler character,” played by one of your own, Denholm Elliott, could see the travesty of the game being played out before him – himself, powerless to act until “things” feel into place which allowed him to take a bolder initiative.
In terms of Maslow’s hierarchy, where the BASICS are concerned, I’m a dyed-in-the-wool socialist – “from cradle to grave!” “Life with measured dignity” SHOULD be an inalienable human right! Until that is achieved worldwide, any DREAMS of a civilized planet are merely that!