Has the industrial revolution had disastrous consequences for the human race?

The Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race. They have greatly increased the life-expectancy of those of us who live in "advanced" countries, but they have

destabilized society, have made life unfulfilling, have subjected human beings to indignities, have led to widespread psychological suffering (in the Third World to physical suffering as well) and have inflicted severe damage on the natural world.



Do you agree with this statement?

.Has the industrial revolution had disastrous consequences for the human race?
Of course not. It was the 'Financial Revolution' that followed. Industry is great...but greed corrupts everything. Industry is perfectly fine with going green as anyone can clearly see, but greedy bastards are obstructing progress because fossil fuels are very profitable, especially when they're allowed to freely manipulate the market.



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People who make statements like that scare the crap out of me. It implies that drastic measures need to be taken to fix some perceived problem.



It also implies that before the Industrial Revolution that society was stable, life was fulfilling, no humans suffered indignities and there was no widespread psychological suffering. If you believe that then you've never read a history book.



I will concede that we have much more capability to harm the environment though. And I'm for addressing environmental issues but I'm not buying exaggeration of those issues, especially to the point of dismantling society. Frankly, that's ludicrous.



littlerobbergirl, I have no idea what that chap said in that article.Has the industrial revolution had disastrous consequences for the human race?
yes in a way. its a transitional stage, and therefore necessarily not in equilibrium. we need a new revolution, to take us in a new direction towards a truly fair and sustainable life for all.



i quite agree with this chap;



http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20鈥?/a>
Quite right! Back to the 1840s, when even in advanced parts of the world millions could die of famine.



Oh for a fulfilling lifestyle of hard manual labour!Has the industrial revolution had disastrous consequences for the human race?
Yea, there was less angst during the black plague.



This is the same argument made by the Luddites. I guess some things never change.

dashi

the reckoning