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What is mankind's worst invention?

Worst invention of all time?

  • Nuclear weapons

    Votes: 64 20.1%
  • Social media

    Votes: 141 44.3%
  • Cigarettes

    Votes: 21 6.6%
  • Gunpowder

    Votes: 5 1.6%
  • Leaded petrol

    Votes: 16 5.0%
  • Plastic

    Votes: 13 4.1%
  • Internet

    Votes: 15 4.7%
  • Television

    Votes: 1 0.3%
  • Porn

    Votes: 8 2.5%
  • Video games

    Votes: 3 0.9%
  • Other

    Votes: 31 9.7%

  • Total voters
    318

IDKFA

Member
Humanity has come up with some amazing inventions. From the wheel to figuring out how to harness the power of electricity, humans have come up with ways to benefit the lives of everyone on earth.

But what about the worst inventions of all time? Inventions that may have had good intentions, but are responsible for damaging humanity and the planet.

It's hard to pick just one. A lot on the voting list are contenders and some might be argued to be some of mankind's best inventions. There are also valid arguments as to why all of those on the list (and others) could be considered the worst.

I went with nuclear weapons. Yes, there is an argument that they've prevented global conflicts that haven't been seen since the end of WW2. However, I firmly believe that one day nuclear weapons will be used again.

The nuclear weapons of today are far, far more powerful than the ones dropped on Japan in 1945. If nuclear war happened today, a majority of the planet would likely be killed. It would result in hundreds of millions or even billions of deaths, not to mention the environmental impact from nuclear fallout.

What gets your vote?
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
Social media and it’s not even close. Made people slaves to their phones and computers, contributed to people growing distant from one another (how many times you see fucking parents glued to their social feeds while their kids play next to them?) and polarised societies given importance and value to all fringe groups and nut jobs.
Add all the online harassment and cancel culture.

Nuclear weapons are a hypothetical scenario, social media damage is real and already done.
 
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My knee-jerk reaction was social media due to its impact on culture. But the negative impact of social media isn't "real" in the same way mutual assured destruction from nuclear weapons is.

Social media makes people hate their neighbors. Nuclear weapons vaporizes their neighbors
 

German Hops

Member
Worst invention ever?

Religion. The religions of the world have done so much to stifle human advancement, it's absolutely horrifying and upsetting to think about how much further we could have advanced by now without religion holding us back. High fashion is pretty bad too.

If you want a tangible invention, the Snuggie;

1213153-slanket_snuggie_review.jpg
 

IDKFA

Member
Fake history.

Not sure if it's the worst, but revisionist history is certainly a massive issue. As somebody with a passion for history, nothing grinds my gears more than people trying to change history and spread false facts.

Interestingly, I was recently introduced to hotep history and it was a real eye opener. It's bat shit crazy and anybody who studies history can easily shoot down their fake information, but it's worrying to see people believing this.
 

22•22

Doesnt need recognition
My knee-jerk reaction was social media due to its impact on culture. But the negative impact of social media isn't "real" in the same way mutual assured destruction from nuclear weapons is.

Social media makes people hate their neighbors. Nuclear weapons vaporizes their neighbors

Fair enough. Although the locations of said bombings will be very very very selective. Slaves and geopolitical/geographic places rich in certain (unbeknownst to us common folk) play a huge role in minimizing such a choice. Nevermind the fact that politics is a sham and we're already living under a one world government that needs it's materials. So while the puppets keep us in war and terror you better believe it's for an utuliar reason.

Dont ban me pls.
 
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BadBurger

Is 'That Pure Potato'
CFC's. If scientists hadn't discovered that they were destroying the ozone layer, and if the world's nations hadn't come together and agreed to universally ban them, we'd be living in a world like this parody commercial from Robo Cop 2 - only far, far worse:

 

Azelover

Titanic was called the Ship of Dreams, and it was. It really was.
The Smartphone is both the best and the worst. It's a great tool to facilitate one's routine, but it is making people addicted to dopamine release. It's just too much, and we will all have to pay the price eventually. It's a drug.
 

IDKFA

Member

It's a contender.

I've come across some of the most vile groups on Twitter and I'm amazed they're not banned.

I know Elon wants to promote free speech, but some of the groups on there really push the boundaries. I'm talking full on Nazis worshipping Hitler and communists promoting the guillotine to punish anybody remotely capitalist.

Twitter is like a black mirror episode.
 

22•22

Doesnt need recognition
The Smartphone is both the best and the worst. It's a great tool to facilitate one's routine, but it is making people addicted to dopamine release. It's just too much, and we will all have to pay the price eventually. It's a drug.

It's one of the best inventions in a long ass time.

It's a tool.

For instance, take a hammer. Great for construction ie positive use no? Take that same hammer and go on a killing spree.

In addition regarding smartphones. There's no education I'm aware off regarding the massive global (interwoven cultural, social and inter personal psychological implications it brings to 12 year olds) nevermind the side effects of instant recording and sharing, the MASSIVE influence of (un)intended narcissism etc which as as a 8 year old seems legit etc.

Going back to the hammer; it's not the the tool is how you you use it.

How do we use it? Via a mentor.

Smartphones...


Yeah.
 
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I chose nuclear weapons but social media is basically tied with it. It has destroyed a generation of kids. Think of how addicted adults are to their phones - now just imagine that but with impressionable children. And it’s only going to get worse from here.
 

22•22

Doesnt need recognition
Please elaborate tommorow morning.

Haha 🤗😅

Perhaps this is a better way..

From old to new (I hope)















He has more if his analysis resonates with you.

Great short deductions and analysis from core to end user.

He is very pessimistic. Although it's realistic in nature.
 
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22•22

Doesnt need recognition
Again it's complex and I'm 90% with you. But having a spiritual aspect (positively) due to religion is a good thing imho. And again ffs; it's how folks interpret and thus act upon their specific interpretation of whichever religion.

Though topic. But I think I get where you're coming from.
 

Thaedolus

Member
Nuclear weapons are a conundrum because they’ve undoubtedly kept the death count and world wars down by making a conflict between nuclear powers an existential threat to humanity…and thus also keep us a cunt hair away from annihilation at all times from someone misunderstanding some radar data or whatever and launching an all out, but mistaken, retaliatory strike
 
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