Mankind's Worst Invention

[Rayge]

Whenever I've come across a question like this before, I've always gone for weaponry/explosives, but now I see them as symptoms.
People's most damaging creations are the ideas that fuel the nonsense. There's something positive to be said for all the things on my list (except Objectivism – and prog, natch), but by Walrus they've unleashed a whole load of shit as well.
What say you BCB?


Poll edited for three choices and chance to change votes, both of which were intended from the beginning.
Feel free to vent or explain/not explain choices.

[Jimbo]

Monotheism has got to be it followed up by borders - oh and land ownership.

[trans-chigley express]

Plastic

[pcqgod]

Every new story I hear about Facebook's misdeeds makes me think that might be it, but it's so darn addictive.

[KeithPratt]

The Industrial Revolution will probably be the death of us.
In terms of the destruction of the planet, it is quite simply the worst thing we've ever inflicted on the other inhabitants.

[harvey k-tel]

Money, and the myriad cruel and sadistic ways people use to procure it, is at the heart of almost every shitty thing perpetrated on the planet by mankind.

[GoogaMooga]

The Industrial Revolution will probably be the death of us.
In terms of the destruction of the planet, it is quite simply the worst thing we've ever inflicted on the other inhabitants.

I doubt we would have been able to feed that many without it. And it has lifted many, many people out of dire poverty.

[GoogaMooga]

Organized religion/monotheism
Communism
Overpopulation from the practice of having too many children in the hope that at least one will provide

[naughty boy]

Overpopulation from the practice of having too many children in the hope that at least one will provide

"oh well, we'll try again - maybe the NEXT one won't be a fat greedy bastard..."

[toomanyhatz]

These are all symptoms of the biggest issue that faces us - the notion that one human is inherently superior or more important than another. Unfortunately, this is a notion that is based in human instinct, as much as we may pretend otherwise.

As most of these are concepts, I voted for weapons and the industrial revolution, as these are the means by which we accomplish our self-destruction. Even money is just a concept - it has no inherent worth.

[never/ever]

Republicans.

[Darkness_Fish]

The need to belong and self-identify with a group. As soon as more than two people begin to identify themselves as being part of a coherent group or tribe, whether it's based on artificial ideas such as religion, statehood, family ties, or nipple-count, the world turns to shit for someone else.

[KeithPratt]

The need to belong and self-identify with a group. As soon as more than two people begin to identify themselves as being part of a coherent group or tribe, whether it's based on artificial ideas such as religion, statehood, family ties, or nipple-count, the world turns to shit for someone else.

This happens at the simplest level of family so I’m struggling to see how you could ever eradicate such a concept.

[sloopjohnc]

Where's the Footy option?

[Darkness_Fish]

The need to belong and self-identify with a group. As soon as more than two people begin to identify themselves as being part of a coherent group or tribe, whether it's based on artificial ideas such as religion, statehood, family ties, or nipple-count, the world turns to shit for someone else.

This happens at the simplest level of family so I’m struggling to see how you could ever eradicate such a concept.

Oh, I've no doubt it comes from the evolutionary need to protect and nurture your family, which is why I didn't leave it out, even in a flippant comment, and I don't think you can eradicate it. But given most things that people feel passionate about, enough to kill without question, are artificial constructs based on that instinct, I think that's the worst invention of mankind (not exclusively mankind, we just took it to a different level).

[The Red Heifer]

Where's the Footy option?

It's called Rugby Union in this one.

[The Red Heifer]

I'm actually tempted to vote Rugby Union as a boring game of Union is one of the most tortuous things on the planet, but the Ireland NZ Test I watched in Sunday was thoroughly absorbing so it gets a reprieve. Besides, Australian Rules is WAY worse

Either way the answer is conservative talk radio.

[Polishgirl]

Chewing gum

[GoogaMooga]

Chewing gum

on the pavement in Oxford Street

[kath]

These are all symptoms of the biggest issue that faces us - the notion that one human is inherently superior or more important than another. Unfortunately, this is a notion that is based in human instinct, as much as we may pretend otherwise.

this nails it. the other biggies are as you say symptoms... or tools to enforce and perpetuate the underlying problem.

along with massive destruction and global threats, i would add the ridiculously awful state of education as a right, as a need, for a functioning society and for the future of humans. then again, it behooves those superior types to keep the sheep stupid.

that being said, underwire bras and coffee vending machines can fucque right the hell off.