Are people basically good or bad

[earthman]

I am always trying to understand this whole reality business. This poll will give me a little insight into how you all see the world. The strangers you pass everyday. Do you feel they would be more likely to help you or take advantage of you if you were incapacitated and no one else were around.Please comment.

 

[EnglishBob]

I believe 98% of the world would help,problem is I only know the other 2% and they wouldn't pee on me if I was on fire.

 

[earthman]

I believe 98% of the world would help,problem is I only know the other 2% and they wouldn't pee on me if I was on fire.

now i'm really confused

 

[rainman]

They say where I'm from people are really nice, and friendly!!
I do think basicly people are good!! Otherwise how do you explain the charity that people show to the needy?

 

[sgtpontiac]

I agree...

They say where I'm from people are really nice, and friendly!!
I do think basicly people are good!! Otherwise how do you explain the charity that people show to the needy?

If you want proportions I'd say it's about 90% are good, caring people.... I'd say that 10% are the ones who are "bad".... greedy, uncaring, selfish, evil and a bunch of other things all mixed into that "bad" category....

 

[rainman]

If you want proportions I'd say it's about 90% are good, caring people.... I'd say that 10% are the ones who are "bad".... greedy, uncaring, selfish, evil and a bunch of other things all mixed into that "bad" category....

I would say about the same, real greed is the one thing I don't get!!

 

[sgtpontiac]

Again, just my opinion....

It seems that this generation has an abundance of very self centered people.... they seem to expect everything and want to work for nothing....to me that's not just selfish, but it's greedy as well.... work ethic and values has seemed to take a back seat to "I want, I need, I'm going to have regardless of who I walk over".....

 

[Sam_Fear]

Both. Man is a chaotic dichotomy of good and evil. In an instant, depending on circumstances, I could give my life to save yours or just as easily murder you in the most violent way imaginable. We all have it in us. I know deep down I am capable of doing either ...easily.

We are always 3 hours away from society breaking down into total anarchy and mob rule.

 

[earthman]

Interesting comments Sam

 

[brchopper]

I agree with Sam but wouldnt in general tell people that. I try to to be good but sometimes by the end of the day I wounder if Im just lieing to myself. As for most I think they are good but just good enough to keep them out of trouble.

 

[CR55]

I believe most people are good, but theres that percentage that you read about in the news that cause the murders and the rest of the bad news we hear. Can't speak for everyone though! And I'm REALLY glad Sam lives in Iowa and I live far away!!!!

 

[goose-em]

The poll should have been.

Are people basically dumb or are they basically smart.

I vote dumb!!!!![ddd

 

[TiredIronGRB]

Both. Man is a chaotic dichotomy of good and evil. In an instant, depending on circumstances, I could give my life to save yours or just as easily murder you in the most violent way imaginable. We all have it in us. I know deep down I am capable of doing either ...easily.

We are always 3 hours away from society breaking down into total anarchy and mob rule.

I'm right there with you Sam.

 

[HOT40ROD]

I would say people are basically good. But it seem the few Brain dead that are out there seem to cross your path at the worse time. but then again with my issue it not a good thing to mess with me when I am having a bad day. Kind of like Sam_ Fear put it.

Like I always say. If I like you,that a good thing. If I don't like you, that OK. But if I don't like you and you mess with me. You really will not like me when it over.

 

[donsrods]

I think Sams comments might be closer to the truth than anyone wants to admit. We all have the capacity, depending on the circumstances, to be either a good person or a not so good person. We humans are a strange lot.

The older I get the more I feel that humans aren't as superior and highly developed as we like to think we are. We see ourselves as being so smart, and yet even most animals have better values than we do at times. They protect their young to the death, don't destroy their own environment, and generally only kill one another to eat. By contrast, more and more we hear horror stories of Moms killing their own kids, we pollute the planet in so many ways, and we can't seem to go a day without starting some new war against other people.

So my vote goes to us being 50/50. Most people most times try to keep their basic instincts under control and live a civilized life, but there is always that other 50% lurking under the surface.

Don

 

[sneakysnake]

I think people in a whole are good, but.I think people no longer care about other peoples feelings or property there by making it seem that the world has become bad.It seems more and more easier to be on the recieving end of this from lack of courtesy to blatant stuff like throwing your damn trash from your lunch and a 12 pack right in my driveway.Get into the rent house business if you want to meet liers, cheats and overall sorry people, they will collect to you like a magnet.

 

[42chevy]

I think people are mostly good but have to agree with Sam. I know I have the capacity for good or bad depending on circumstances.

 

[Sam_Fear]

Self preservation is easier in a society based on good, so people tend that way. A society based on 'bad' is going to be a lot harder to survive.

Oddly, one of the most difficult things for man to accomplish is to do good without personal benefit as motivation. (helping someone out just to feel good about yourself is not a selfless act ....but then, it is better than doing nothing at all)

If you want to see how 'good' people are, put them in a '10 people on a burning plane and only 8 chutes' scenario. Nearly all would turn into selfish bast***s in a matter of seconds out of fear. Me? I'm kinda scared of heights, so I'd jump without a chute just so I could get on the ground quicker.

 

[rainman]

Maybe it's the optimist in me, but I tend to disagree with you!!!

 

[26Troadster]

i do agree with sam to a extent. i am a mason and know alot of masons that are good and above good people, then i know just about the same amount of people that are not worth a plug nickle (am trying to be nice) there are too many people that are out to do wrong. to get alittle taste of the town i live in watch the new show on tv called big law with butterbean, i grew up in the 70's when it wasn't nothing to smoke alittle grass, but we never went to anything harder, now adays it is crack and meth and these people will do anything to be able to do what ever they want to. so i have a mixed insight on this matter. hope i didn't afend anybody on this.