Skeptic Project

Because I can't even get along with my idiot neighbors. What makes you think I could ever get along with someone from a completely different culture?

I think a unified Earth would be great, but I don't think it's ever going to happen.

Perhaps both extremes are being too pessimistic about their expectations.

Let's try to look at this rationally and methodically.

Okay, UNASUR is just beginning, what are its potential benefits? And the obstacles it faces?

It leaves the idea heavily depending on how many powerful people being for or against the idea.

Example 1: Canada, Mexico, USA: Highly unlikely.

Example 2: The South American Nations: Working heavily towards making UNASUR a firm reality, although many countries have yet to observe it.

Every country there has slums, Venezuela is no exception.

South America is pulling itself out of its poverty shithole.

They're hoping UNASUR will help speed up the process, probably by promoting trade and increased travel, tourism etc.

True, but probably not the only thing it's aiming for.

Mainly because if UNASUR becomes as powerful and influential as the EU, it would raise questions to the rest of the world if increased prosperity can be obtained by following Europe and S. America's example.

Perhaps Asia would follow suit, and Africa (although Africa would have a much harder time even getting to South America's current point).

But you're more than welcome to include something else for the discussion Matt. :)

Which is exactly why you would need to piece it together, bit by bit.

The U.N tried to assemble everyone, and they got a whole lot of noise.

What timeframe are working towards Matt? I think it's possible, but probably not going to be a reality until many decades from now. Or do you think it'll never happen?

You talk as if we're just like Africa. O_o

You're right about being 'tribal' in a sense.

Just because one tribe cooperates with another doesn't mean they want to be called one and the same. Many people are proud of their "tribes'" uniqueness, and there's usually nothing wrong with that.

The one thing "tribes" would need to understand is not to harbor elitism, resentment etc. towards each other. Is that easy? No. Is it appropriate? Absolutely.

Education. There's a popular saying;

"Those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it."

Hmm, I haven't considered that scenario.
On the other hand, "tribes" hellbent on war and conquest usually fail miserably and end up being universally reviled. (Nazi regime)

Ouch, then one would have to observe the effects of their regime.
The Nazis had a very oppressive regime, and they also had a very effective war machine (initially), along with powerful allies (like Japan).
Alas, their efforts for total domination failed, largely because most other "tribes" felt the need to unite, work together and topple them.

An unlikely scenario you present, but one that would need to be considered nonetheless.

By universally reviled I meant reviled by most people outside of a few small isolated pockets, (failure of wording to convey my meaning on my part, sorry, I was aware of Neo-Nazis and such)

But who gets more attention, the isolated pockets or the mass indifferents who neither worship nor revile the Nazis?

As long as the participating countries don't see a direct benefit from it, it won't happen. So I think the probability of a "unified" earth is pretty low - even the funds for helping the third world turn out to be either bribes or economic sabotage, with a very little bit of actual charity left over.

My belief that anything positive for the world as a whole will come out of strategic conquest, whether economic or military, is rather limited.

@Omni

The point was that the Nazis are not universally reviled, as there are many who are indifferent towards the Nazis period. I think the point was that the isolated pockets have more power to attract attention and get their message out than the mass of those who are indifferent. Or something. I don't know Nanos threw my train of thought off the rails with his crazy ramblings.

"That's why you spread the historical information about the Nazis."

It already makes up like 98% of The History Channel's programming. I don't think there's much more you can do.

World War 2 is covered in grade school history class. What more could you do?