“Humankind cannot gain something without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. This is Alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange." ― Hiromu Arakawa

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[–]Myrkskog 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Freedom/liberty for security/safety...?

[–][deleted] 5 insightful - 2 fun5 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I'd say that counts.

It was a stupid trade though.

A base-level example of this is if you want to do good on an exam, you need to study. But studying costs time which is invaluable; however, studying gives you knowledge which may also be invaluable. It'll also help you earn a higher score on your hypothetical test. You're trading time for knowledge.

[–]Big_Brass_Balls 2 insightful - 3 fun2 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 3 fun -  (0 children)

"We like to say ‘peoplekind’." - Justin Trudeau

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (5 children)

Quote and screen-cap taken from FMA: Brotherhood (really worth the watch, even if "anime" isn't your thing, you'll enjoy this. Note the tree of life in the background, this series has a lot of interesting content relating to or acting as metaphors for real world events or concepts).

[–]JasonCarswell 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (4 children)

Links for us lazy people?

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (3 children)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqDB6gQLbPM

You can find the episodes online (in English) with ease, it's honestly a deep show!

[–]JasonCarswell 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

That actually looks FUCKING KICK ASS! Perhaps on par with Akira?

Gonna find that for sure.

I spent 4 years in college for animation, became a pro in Toronto and NY and Cali, and I used to LIVE for animation (though not the way many animators do, with obsessive fandoms, endless toys, etc etc etc). Eventually I got tired of it, as I have Hollywood. Yes, I still enjoy all the Pixar and Disney and other movies, but I just can't bother to catch them all now. Same with Anime. I can't speak to the story, but for the most part that trailer expertly crafted, and is the first thing to excite and motivate me in a long time!

Thank you thank you thank you!

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Perhaps on par with Akira?

Many weebs would kill me for saying this, but imho, it's definitely on par with Akira. It's a classic, there's a few anime/manga considered classics, whether underground or mainstream, this is one of them. If you haven't seen them, I'd also recommend Cowbow Bepop & Samurai Champloo too. They're a different type of anime, they're short, but have great story and animation (both are under 30 episodes iirc).

[–]JasonCarswell 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Short is good. I've heard of some decades long classics, but I'm not ready for that. I have Cowboy Bebop somewhere (recommended long ago by a dear friend) and even tried to start it. Maybe it's time to try again - and that other one. Thanks again!

[–]Tom_Bombadil 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (6 children)

Sounds like zero-sum gain logic.

Is this true?

[–][deleted] 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (4 children)

It's an interesting question and paradigm. One that would tie in with the eastern philosophies' understanding of karma.

If this is one way to look at what they call "karma" then it would mean that there is no escaping this paradigm of "a gain for a loss" or of "balance of energies" as others might want to be tempted to call it.

No way, without escaping the entire paradigm that has ruled human life for uncountable millenia, for it IS that paradigm.

Interestingly, the exact science of the mind has demonstrated that there is a way to escape that paradigm, and how. It's not easy, but that should be a given: on the one hand, nothing worthwhile is easy and on the other, if it were easy, it would happen all the time.

[–]Tom_Bombadil 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

Very few social exchanges are zero-sum.

We all have only one life, so there are sunk cost, opportunity costs, associated with finite time, etc.

However, most social activities involve mutual benefit.

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Oh, I wasn't talking about zero-sum per event between people. The statement above refers to "humankind" which, if I am not in error, means the aggregate of all mankind. As such, this cannot be an aggregate of all mankind at any given moment, but through time as well.

As such, it may well be that to gain something, humankind might have to give up something else. I am not opining one way or another on that whole-mankind statement.

However, the karma-based paradigm remains true. Some people see it, some don't, but all live within it. For now.

[–]JasonCarswell 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I buy that.

[–]JasonCarswell 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Sometimes I feel that there is a balance. Into the future things will get more extreme. We'll have more good tech, good info, etc and ways to fight back against the establishment - yet they'll have more evil tech, propaganda, etc. The same but different - and more extreme.

On the other hand there are countless billions who suffer under the establishment for the sake of the billion or less of the middle class or above.

Or do they? Maybe their lives in "ignorance" and common poverty are richer than ours striving for unobtainable goals under debt slavery.

While millions in the US are about to suffer worse than ever, millions in China will finally achieve their Chinese Dream.

Maybe karma is not good, is not a bitch, but is bittersweet.

[–]JasonCarswell 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I refuse to believe this is true.

We live and die and show nothing for it. Bunk.

Humanity is where it is now because of thousands of generations before us, distinguishing us from other animals.

Everyone contributes in their own way.

Granted there are the warmongering parasite class centralizing power in their paper castles, but they haven't won all the pieces yet. All of their power is built upon some flimsy mythology that only requires blind faith by their devoted minions. All it needs is one spark.