[IronJack]

In a way, this makes biological sense. As our life spans increase, we can defer maturity longer. Since childhood is supposed to be a warm, comfortable, care-free place to be, it is no small wonder that people want to stay there as long as they can. Our technology insulates us from many of the world's harsh realities and affords us the luxury of remaining children -- in some cases -- forever.

However, a society enslaved to perpetual childhood isn't one that solves many problems. In fact, it is one that requires some form of paternalism to survive, be it technological, governmental, or simple isolation; children don't fare well when exposed to the real world's demands. And there's always a price to be paid for eternal adolescence. Think Eloi from Wells' Time Machine.

[Bernard Marx]

children don't fare well when exposed to the real world's demands. And there's always a price to be paid for eternal adolescence.

And we're beginning to pay it. There's a saying in science that "nature abhors a vacuum." It works culturally too. If property is left unfenced and unprotected, squatters will rule. Our national boundaries, physical and metaphorical, have been left unfenced and unprotected and it's plain to see what the result is.

The illegals and jihadists who are encroaching aren't troubled by multicultural or politically correct concerns. They want to rule and they will do so if left unchallenged. Who will stop them?

[altura]

Maybe growth requires hardships or, at least challenges.

The poor in our country are so well off they can just rest on the governments laurels.

That idea is one theory of why people in cold countries develop and thrive while people in places like Africa and the M.E. just hang out in tribes.

[radioman]

it is one that requires some form of paternalism to survive

Paternalism requires that all adults submit to a 'father knows best' ruler. You may call that survival but I call it tyranny.
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