Science Forums 2

[paigetheoracle]

For all who wish to understand attrition in warfare and its waste of resources, may I recommend watching the film "Kagemusha" by Akira Kurosawa, while looking at George Bush's foreign policy?

Insularity as a policy (minding your own business) builds up resources as warmongering depletes them (sticking your nose [fears] into other peoples business). Feeling pressured into action leads to rapid draining of resources as slow release of energy isn't so draining because it's small amounts over a longer period. This is why patience and tolerance is better for you as an individual or nation and rash and violent action bad for you (anger rapidly depletes energy as patience gradually builds up resources).

Behind anger is fear. A foolish (frightened) man opens his mouth and closes his eyes (becomes violent), whereas a wise (patient) man opens his eyes and closes his mouth (controls his temper and looks for the truth). Fear projects itself into the world - courage examines its own heart and motives (Sees enemies everywhere, rather than realizes the true enemy is within - its own mind and the attitude it takes towards the outside world).

This is why Eastern Philosophy advocates patience in which to learn (build up knowledge) rather than react impatiently to what little knowledge you do have. Like the law, the principle being that the more evidence you have, the more likely you are to be right in your assumptions (Crime is rushed reactions based on the flimsiest of beliefs). When you don't believe you have time to think or build, you don't, so act in fear (ignorance) instead, destroying all forms of connection (relationships with the world and each other as human beings or life forms). Put simply, you stay and build your life as an individual or society, or panic and run, laying waste to everything around you (scorched earth policy).