cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/46788659

Looking at how much conflict natural resource-rich countries (oil, gold, diamonds…) seem to attract, I wonder whether such wealth is more a curse than a blessing.

Many regions with scarce natural resources, adapted & perform very well. Some of the richest are examples (Switzerland, Luxembourg, Singapore…)

Looks to me like the greed for them attracts conflicts: civil wars, invasions etc. Cultural, ethnic, religious reasons often just seem to be used to cover it.

Plus all the environmental destruction / pollution that come with the extraction & processing.

  • StopTech@lemmy.today
    21·
    18 days ago

    And those natural resources are used for what? Smartphones that addict and cause depression. Flock cameras that watch you and report to Palantir. Data centers that are used for AI propaganda and disinformation campaigns to manipulate our views. Chemicals that poison our crops and end up in our water sources. Modern industry is mostly bad for humanity.

    • MadeInDex 📰🌎@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      18 days ago

      sources I think transportation is a good use of oil, ores & diamonds have plenty of good use cases (e.g. chips used in medical devices, climate satellites etc.)

      Modern Industry & the system behind it are the definitely the problem. If we got rid of planned obsolescence alone, the issues would reduce dramatically.

    • IAMgROOT@lemmy.wtf
      11·
      9 days ago

      used for

      • lifesaving healthcare

      • quality of life electronics

      • water purification

      • smartphones that entertain, sustain, help and guide

      “chemicals that poison our crops” why are you EATING A HUNDRED POUNDS OF SAID CROPS A DAY because thats when its a problem

      all of the bad things here are capitalism