Human Classification...?

[BRB]

Whenever the topic of intelligent life coming into contact with us arises, we often wonder whether or not these potential beings would be benevolent or malevolent in their actions. Which of the two classifications would you currently place the human race under and why?

To me, it seems that there exists a constant struggle between benevolence and malevolence among humans both individually, as well as a species. It's as if the sum of our consciousness is in the decision stage within the process of becoming one or the other, and we're procrastinating. Or perhaps we lack the understanding of which acts fall under which classification, resulting in each of us falling victim to this short-coming of our species at some point or another. In either case, I look forward to hearing other points of view on the subject.

[VISITOR]

Humans are basically benevolent but unfortunately haven't yet learned how to fully control their emotions. That is why, in certain situations, they tend to display malevolent tendances. I'm sure that IF we are being " monitored ", our " watchers will have already taken a note of this and hopefully make allowances for our " Human Failings ".

[Mac50]

Originally Posted by BRB

To me, it seems that there exists a constant struggle between benevolence and malevolence among humans both individually, as well as a species. It's as if the sum of our consciousness is in the decision stage within the process of becoming one or the other, and we're procrastinating.

I think that we as a Species are extremely adaptable. All it would take to bring out the benevolence of humans would be a group of beings who asked us for help with something that we were able to accomplish for them. Just look at the response of people when there is a disaster in some part of the world, even in the land of an adversary. We will make great sacrifices to do whatever we can to help.
On the other hand, should a species show up who we perceive as having evil intentions toward us and our planet, then I think these entities would find that humanity is capable of savagery and violence beyond belief, and that we might even destroy our own planet rather than turn it over to hostile entities.
So, I think that because of our extreme adaptability we may always carry this dual nature as part of our human heritage.

[Khtiraa]

I see it as a sociological phenomena. As individuals people may have their own sense of who they are and how they conduct themselves. Given a change in their situation or environment, they will tend to do things that go against everything they believe. People are easily influenced by fear and threat factors. We may be closer to the cows than we would like to admit.

[Jurgen]

Originally Posted by BRB

Whenever the topic of intelligent life coming into contact with us arises, we often wonder whether or not these potential beings would be benevolent or malevolent in their actions. Which of the two classifications would you currently place the human race under and why?

It really depends on the situation we are in. As Mac pointed out, some disasters can give us all a feeling of standing together and the whole world will agree we need to something to help these people... Like Haiti. But as Khtiraa pointed out, that same disaster can bring up something bad too... see how people start to loot and steal just because there is no working police apparatus at that time.

In times of trouble our feeling of self preservation takes over and it can turn us in egotistical and corrupt beings. People in power always need to keep this famous quote in the back of their minds... for it seems to be true in most cases:
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Though, without people in power the world is in anarchy and people will just do what they think is best for them at that time. Solidary will be a rare thing to see in times like that.

In times of mutual trouble we suddenly can be in harmony but that feeling soon fades away in the aftermath.

Then take our cultural differences, the variation in religious opinions and the wars that originate from it. Since the beginning of modern man, there has been at least one war somewhere on earth. We also have many issues on discrimination. Some countries deny their people their plain human rights. There is way to much poverty even in the rich countries and world hunger should not be an issue at all.

Humans are faithfull to the things they know and tend to distrust that what they do not know and/or understand.

If you ask me we are a malevolent species with benevolent tendencies.

[mercuryrapids]

Humans are generally good people. Ever wonder why UFOs/ETs/EDS/Whatever-they-ares appear to people rather than 'landing on the White House lawn and dealing with the political structure?

As Lacombe said in Close Encounters: "It is an event sociological."

[Mr Magoo]

We evolved from apes..a wild animal..as we were once..when the **** hits the fan we return to that state..natural survival instincts take over and rules and morals go out the window.

Man will never be totally united..individuality,self perception and personal wants see to that.

There's good and bad in everything..as there is light so there must be darkness..one cannot exist without the other!

[BRB]

I agree with what many of you are saying: that in times of need, the average person will provide for another and it's encouraging to see that this seems to be one of human's natural characteristics. But when it comes to religion, political systems, cut-throat business, many are more apt to kill rather than seek mutual understanding. What's unsettling is that the people who often make conscious malevolent decisions are the ones in power, and thus their decisions affect many people, which can sometimes result in acting as a catalyst for more common acts of malevolence within society.
Man A purchases his second helicopter while Man B has the very shirt off his back taken from him largely because he was never given the opportunity for a richer life. People view Man A as a success and Man B as a failure, when in relation to benevolence, it's Man A who doesn't have their priorities straight. And the media puts the wrong spin on much of what occurs in society.
That's what I mean when I say that perhaps people deny the fact that they're acting malevolently when they over-reward themselves with possession and control because it inevitably comes at the expense of others. They didn't directly steal from a particular person. There simply exists a system whereby much of the riches are funneled to the few, and in their minds, that's not malevolence because people can't physically see the particular connection between their acquired possession and another's poverty, but we all know it's happening.
Malevolence exists within and among us, and it's going to take everyone to accept that claiming ownership and possession and control, is to take away freedom from another, and thus is an act of malevolence. Though many will deny that, it's simply because they're in a state of denial because they enjoy the feeling of safety that comes along with ownership and control. People's need for survival sometimes goes too far and in doing so, they jeopardize the needs and survival of others. It's paranoia gone rampant. I think that this fear of threat will have to go if we hope to truly be a benevolent species. I believe it's a choice that's within our control as inidividuals. In order to be benevolent, we all have to stop being afraid of losing everything as individuals in order to experience abundance as a species. Yes? No? Additional comments?

[Carol Nistri]

I missed a few days so Ill jump in and say as we currently know the situation or if we accept the stories that have come down thru the years,whoever or whatever these entities really are it does seem to me their intent on their own purposes.That is they seem to have an agenda,there just not flying aimlessly around earths skies for nothing,they seem to be intent on some experiement,if its true and thats a big IF then that alone isnt going to set well with any of us.If they come to help which personally I believe is the furthest thing from the actual truth,but IF there here to help then our attitude towards them will be guided by HOPE. If however it ever becomes clear that they are bent on creating a hybrid race and to hell with how we feel about it then fear will quickly give way to anger.The stories of abduction will jump to the foreground and the stories we have all read about over the years will have to be addressed.I wish it was good news to but these dudes dont act like they wanted to be invited to high tea.They have an agenda allright and it includes us,wheather we like it or not they want us as part of the experiment.Sorry but Ive been reading this for years on end and the onlys story that comes back with consistancy is abduction for the purpose of creating a hybrid race of beings,shiver me timbers.

[GunnerGraham]

Originally Posted by Mac50

I think that we as a Species are extremely adaptable. All it would take to bring out the benevolence of humans would be a group of beings who asked us for help with something that we were able to accomplish for them. Just look at the response of people when there is a disaster in some part of the world, even in the land of an adversary. We will make great sacrifices to do whatever we can to help.
On the other hand, should a species show up who we perceive as having evil intentions toward us and our planet, then I think these entities would find that humanity is capable of savagery and violence beyond belief, and that we might even destroy our own planet rather than turn it over to hostile entities.
So, I think that because of our extreme adaptability we may always carry this dual nature as part of our human heritage.

I agree 100% there Mac.