Why would one choose to be a soldier?

[Catwoman]

*OK*

Originally Posted by UT

There are few true improvements in the world, and we were just as well off in caves.

I am totally stuck on the word 'improvement'. If you mean 'improvements in the world', you cannot mean 'improvements for the human race', because this is often at a disadvantage to other things in 'the world', like the environment, or non-human animal species. Also I don't really know the ultimate human goal - or if there is one - so I cannot accurately define an 'improvement'. I don't mean to be tenacious or 'philosophical', I'm just trying to understand you properly. For now I am going to assume you mean evolution ie survival of the human race, including advances in medicine and physical science.

The single biggest improvement I can think of is water distribution - getting clean water pumped to billions of outlets so we don't have to walk 50/500/5000 miles to the nearest spring.

Everything else (electricity, gas, oil, the wheel, tv, telephones...) have all been used to facilitate travel, war, mass commerce and perceived convenience. Why do we need to travel? People travel and think they're going somewhere. They think the place they're going to will be different! Of course, superficially, it is. But ultimately, people are the same wherever you go, they just have different habits (religion, culture, social set-up). If you think this means they are fundamentally different, you are so mistaken. Even well-travelled people don't seem to realise this. Ok, travel in itself has led to important knowledge about the world, plus it's quite fun, so I'll include that one too.Edit - Which would incorporate electricity, oil, the wheel.

As for the caves, I don't really know anything about that way of life. All I know is that to survive we need food and water and shelter (warmth). Nothing else. Not knowledge, not different countries, not computers.

Originally Posted by UT

Nations become powerful by chance - or worse.

I don't know the answer to this nor do I care. It doesn't matter who got there or how. All that matters is that the situation now does not work for half of the world's population. You're right - America has produced some of the most important inventions/discoveries as has England/Europe. But if it is truly for the selfless advancement of the human race it doesn't matter who created them.

Originally Posted by UT

Commerce is meaningless by definition.

Obviously 'commerce' has a definition and a meaning. It also serves a purpose. I merely question the ultimate worth of this purpose. There is enough space on this planet for each family unit to survive on their own small patch of land. What is the problem with that?

Originally Posted by UT

Most modern human activity is a waste of time and most human choices incorrect.

Yep.

Originally Posted by UT

If people want to kill you, you can convince them not to by establishing a caring and non-violent society

No, absolutely not. It will never work.

Hope this clarifies!