Is the herd mentality %26amp; greedy behaviors, of *,based on short-term, selfish goals ruining society %26amp;the planet? This is the fully-worded Q: Is the herd mentality %26amp; greed-driven behaviors, of *, ie producers,consumers %26amp; middlemen, based on short-term, selfish goals ruining society %26amp; the planet? I asked this Q bec of the Best Answer to another of my Q%26#039;s. See---%26gt;http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

Bec of it ,I just had to ask this more theoretical Q separately. It ties economics,the concern for the environment and GW into one packaged Q! Given the mean-spirited politics so evident in the GW category I have chosen to post it here! GW is not an isolated issue as some would like it to be. It is much more than just %26quot;a science issue.%26quot;

Additional Details

5 months ago

It is also an ethics issue on how best to live in society with other beings of diverse interests!

5 months ago

Given the amazing and disturbing nature of some of the answers to my Q, I had to google %26quot;greed%26quot;. I thought it was a destructive force-the opposite of charity and an ethic of caring for more than ourselves.

5 months ago

The def%26#039;n: greed �� (grd) KEY �

NOUN:
An excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth: %26quot;Many . . . attach to competition the stigma of selfish greed%26quot; (Henry Fawcett).

ETYMOLOGY:
Back-formation from greedy

5 months ago

greed�y �� (grd) KEY �

ADJECTIVE:
greed�i�er , greed�i�est
Excessively desirous of acquiring or possessing, especially wishing to possess more than what one needs or deserves.
Wanting to eat or drink more than one can reasonably consume; gluttonous.
Extremely eager or desirous: greedy for the opportunity to prove their ability.

--------------------------------------...
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English gredi, from Old English grdig; see gher- 2 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
greedi�ly (Adverb), greedi�ness (Noun)

5 months ago

I also came across an interesting essay on the subject: http://www.g-r-e-e-d.com/GREED.htm

I knew nothing about the essay until I googled the word %26quot;Greed.%26quot;

5 months ago

Side comment off-topic: %26quot;free-markets%26quot;(SIC) based on greed and fear seems stupid to me or anyone who believes we have intellects and a civilized culture! Investing on the basis of either is stupid. As an active investor I try to avoid both!

5 months ago

%26quot;For proof feed two dogs with one bowl of food and see what happens.%26quot;Sorry, But I have three dogs, one is an American Eskimo and she gets pushy bec she is the alpha female. But I have trained her and the other 2 females to share food in a large bowl! Humans are not animals the way dogs are. And naturalistic assertions likening emotions in humans to animals like dogs is fallacious thinking IMO.

5 months ago

I think it%26#039;s nice of you to say that you %26quot;Saved numerous lives in Mexico, India, and Pakistan by planting GM wheat crops.%26quot; but the fact is a non-sequitor in light of your expressed views.

5 months ago

I don%26#039;t think greed is just a %26quot;right-wing thing.%26quot; or %26quot;a party thing.%26quot; I%26#039;ve seen no study to support such a view!

5 months ago

When I look up the definition of %26quot;greed%26quot;, I do not see it used as a simple synonymn for %26quot;self-interest%26quot; or %26quot;selfishness.%26quot; I am not living in in the same language world that some of you are!

5 months ago

side comment: I have trouble likening or explaining human behaviors to or as %26quot; herd mentality!%26quot; Humans are not like animals that seek safety in numbers running from predators in life-and-death situations bec not all the situations we face in our lives are of that kind!

5 months ago

I say this now, bec so many just can%26#039;t get past it as an excuse for the irresponsible ,inconsiderate and even unethical behaviors of some!
Saved numerous lives in Mexico, India, and Pakistan by planting GM wheat crops. 100% 1 Vote

Self interest will encourage countries and people not to participate in the solution. It is imperative therefore for all countries and people to be involved in the solution, or they will use each other as excuses not to participate. In other words, we need to drive the whole herd towards healthier actions, choices and lifestyles. 0% 0 Votes

Welcome to the free market. Greed is what drives the free market. I believe the answer to your question is yes! People are %26quot;trying to get theirs.%26quot; But, not everyone is this way. Some do understand that greed is bad and that there are long-term consequences. 0% 0 Votes

answering your core question-- the herd mentality and greedy behaviors is certainly nothing new, it is generally the common practice of all civilizations since the dawn of written or documentable history. We aren%26#039;t doing anything new, though with our helpful tools like electricity and motors we are able to step up the process quite a few notches. So I don%26#039;t think you can say this behavior is ruining the planet, as if it is something new. Humans have been working at it for thousands of years! Look at all the species that were sent to extinction over the past 500 years of world exploration and exploytation. Humans have just gotten better at destroying everything. 0% 0 Votes

We%26#039;re in a situation where half the people on the planet don%26#039;t have a decent water supply, and more than half don%26#039;t get enough to eat. This is a situation that has developed, isn%26#039;t likely to be fixed, and is almost certain to get worse, because the people in developed countries refuse to consider changing their lifestyle. Yeah, I%26#039;d say there is a moral issue. 0% 0 Votes