topic Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another? in Community Chat

Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

Deb1010again — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:22:05 GMT

We as the world obsess and have so much sympathy/empathy over the 200+ lives lost on the Malaysian airliner. Meanwhile thousands more are dying in Syria and being displaced into refugee camps. Plus there's so much killing in Africa. Yet we rarely discuss it nor does it get the attention of those 200+ lives lost on the airliner. What is your opinion?

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

Eden Harrison — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:48:04 GMT

I don't think so nor do I believe God views them as such. All lives are of equal value but sadly I can't do a thing about what goes on in the world but pray.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

Lila Belle — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 15:32:17 GMT

No, there are many reasons why and if we were to post them this thread would be gone.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

Puzzle Piece — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 15:33:41 GMT

I really understand your point. I do feel some lives are more valuable than others though. I can't value a serial killer (sorry) but I will value a soldier. Especially one that stands for and behind something like the USA. It's a real shame that folks in other lands don't value one another so that they can diplomatically work through their issues. It's a travesty to see third and fifth world countries with leaders that allow their populations to starve and live the way they do just because they want several fancy palaces and Rolls Royce's. I can just be as sickened by the way the media handles things as I want to be but my complaining doesn't seem to be heard. My take.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

croemer — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 15:36:58 GMT

NO Deb...its not. I think the Malaysian airplane loss might be more in our immediate conscious because most of us have or will get on a plane at sometime in our lives.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

occasionalrain — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 15:40:59 GMT

People relate to those who plane has been lost because they have been passengers on planes. It's harder to relate to those in situations we haven't experienced.

There is also the numbers factor that applies to everything; the more there is of something the less value each component has. It applies to the price of food items, cars, and homes. It also applies to people, as the population rises the value of each individual falls.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

chessylady — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 15:43:43 GMT

Each life is valuable. Every culture in the world is valuable in and of itself. It is not for us to judge who is valuable or who is ""collateral damage."" I have to work on myself not change or devalue others.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

MarthaStewardess — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 15:44:35 GMT

I think the reason that the Malaysian airliner story is on all the time is because it's something that can be very sensationalized. Great tabloid type story, unfortunately.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

Deb1010again — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 17:27:31 GMT

Thanks for all your very thoughtful responses.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

Deb1010again — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 17:29:46 GMT

On 3/29/2014 Love Roses said:
I really understand your point. I do feel some lives are more valuable than others though. I can't value a serial killer (sorry) but I will value a soldier. Especially one that stands for and behind something like the USA. It's a real shame that folks in other lands don't value one another so that they can diplomatically work through their issues. It's a travesty to see third and fifth world countries with leaders that allow their populations to starve and live the way they do just because they want several fancy palaces and Rolls Royce's. I can just be as sickened by the way the media handles things as I want to be but my complaining doesn't seem to be heard. My take.

Well said. ITA with your very good point about how the media handles it all. I think that sets the tone.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

Irshgrl31201 — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 17:34:42 GMT

Deb, I totally think that this is such a great point. In my view, no, no life is more important than another but I think OR response is dead on.

People relate more with those who they have more in common with. It isn't right but it is human nature.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

LilacTree — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 17:42:05 GMT

My daughters and I talk about this all the time. One of us will complain about something and sooner or later we will back off and admit how lucky we are compared to . . . everything else going on in the world.

My personal belief is that no matter how bad any situation is, one can always find worse. There will always be horrors in the world, there always have. One can try to do one's best in situations where one can be helpful. One can donate to causes (if it's a trusted charity), one can volunteer (if physically able), and one can just treat those around them with as much love and respect as they can in their little corner of the world.

Have empathy for the earth . . . it needs us.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

Irshgrl31201 — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 17:51:29 GMT

Actually we need the earth. It did quite well without us.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

Deb1010again — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 18:02:35 GMT

On 3/29/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
Deb, I totally think that this is such a great point. In my view, no, no life is more important than another but I think OR response is dead on.

People relate more with those who they have more in common with. It isn't right but it is human nature.

You know, you're so right. Occasional Rain's response is spot on. When it's thousands of people the individual and individual stories don't stand out. When it's fewer people you hear the personal stories of who they were. Thanks for catching that and reinforcing OR's excellent point. I also think it goes back to what LovesRoses and MarthaStewardess said about how the media reports things and sensationalizes.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

LilacTree — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 18:04:40 GMT

On 3/29/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
Actually we need the earth. It did quite well without us.

Yes it did. But we have not treated it well and we will pay for it. It is already happening.

I just read about a series of reports that are coming out in the next few weeks, the first one is out already . . . what we have done and what we need to do . . . and that is now, not in a hundred years. Apparently, every country contributed to these reports.

I could post the link, but don't want to start anything.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

Free2be — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 18:16:28 GMT

Ford, you are referring to the "tipping point". Everyone ought to be paying attention to it.

On the topic, the breath of life is the same for all of us. If the world population doesn't slow dramatically, we'll all eventually be more up close and personal with disasters that take multiples of lives.

Thinking about all the children, victims to natural forces or cruel people, is rough. One baby killed is no more or less valuable a life here than "there". Every person is equally as valuable as any child, with a life to be lived, born to breath the oxygen we all share (personalities aside).

People are generally egocentric to a fault but that's for another discussion.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

Marienkaefer2 — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 18:20:36 GMT

In theory, no. In reality, yes.

And you don't have to.go.around the world. You can.see it right here at home.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

LilacTree — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 18:21:56 GMT

On 3/29/2014 Free2be said:
Ford, you are referring to the "tipping point". Everyone ought to be paying attention to it.

On the topic, the breath of life is the same for all of us. If the world population doesn't slow dramatically, we'll all eventually be more up close and personal with disasters that take multiples of lives.

Thinking about all the children, victims to natural forces or cruel people, is rough. One baby killed is no more or less valuable a life here than "there". Every person is equally as valuable as any child, with a life to be lived, born to breath the oxygen we all share (personalities aside).

People are generally egocentric to a fault but that's for another discussion.

Yes, that's the one. Unfortunately, it will take a catastrophe unlike the world of human beings has ever known to wake the majority up. No report is going to do it.

Ever think about how mocked AG was?

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

HiLo — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 18:30:23 GMT

If each of us in the free world, if we were able, would support just one poor disadvantaged soul, just think of how much better this old world would be. Of course, I would like to wrap my arms around all the suffering and help but since that's not possible, it takes us all to help.

Re: Is a life worth more in one part of the world versus another?

HiLo — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 18:35:22 GMT

On 3/29/2014 Ford1224 said:
On 3/29/2014 Free2be said:
Ford, you are referring to the "tipping point". Everyone ought to be paying attention to it.

On the topic, the breath of life is the same for all of us. If the world population doesn't slow dramatically, we'll all eventually be more up close and personal with disasters that take multiples of lives.

Thinking about all the children, victims to natural forces or cruel people, is rough. One baby killed is no more or less valuable a life here than "there". Every person is equally as valuable as any child, with a life to be lived, born to breath the oxygen we all share (personalities aside).

People are generally egocentric to a fault but that's for another discussion.

Yes, that's the one. Unfortunately, it will take a catastrophe unlike the world of human beings has ever known to wake the majority up. No report is going to do it.

Ever think about how mocked AG was?

Ford I agree with your above statement about what it will take to wake the majority up but then it could be too late. Sorry, but who was AG?