Second in a continuing series on the Georgia Guidestones
Throughout the 42 years the Guidestones stood, they attracted an unusual level of interest from cranks and conspiracy theorists, culminating in a terrorist destroying them in a bombing attack. While the mystery of their origins (described in my last post) undoubtedly contributed to this, the main focus of the conspiracies and rage at their existence focused on their inscriptions. Intended to be a guide for humanity after a devastating cataclysm, they describe the designers' vision for the society that would follow.
#1 may be the most problematic, as it plays into nonsensical "new world order" conspiracy theories that accuse a shadowy, elite cabal of plotting to kill off most of humanity. The half-billion number is often presented as this cabal's ideal.
However, keep in mind that this guidance was intended to apply after a cataclysmic event that would destroy humanity. Notice that it says "maintain," not "reduce." This number, coincidentally, is the estimated number of people that could be supported by hunting and gathering or subsistence agriculture. Any higher number is solely due to technology.
#2 will bother anyone who opposes diversity. Think about the people today crying how "diversity is perversity."
#3 calls for a "living new language. Like it or not, English, which in its modern form is at least several centuries old, is the current international language. It's not likely people will spontaneously invent a new conlang and everyone will decide to learn it. Esperanto may be the most successful of these, spoken at some level by between 30,000 and 180,000 people, but with only 1,000 "native" speakers.
#4 shouldn't be a problem for anyone.
Same for #5 - who wants to rule nations with unfair laws and unjust laws? There shouldn't be any argument here.
#6 has been criticized as encouraging a one-world government, but if nations "rule internally," wouldn't a world court be better than resolving external disputes through warfare? Besides, we have a world court right now.
As for #7, who wants petty laws and useless officials? The libertarians should like this one.
#8 pretty much describes society. A functioning society requires individuals to relinquish a degree of personal freedom for the good of the group. For example, we shouldn't be free to run red lights just because we're in a hurry.
#9 might bother someone who despises truth, beauty, and love, and is upset by "harmony with the infinite" because their preferred deity has a different name.
#10 will bother anyone who thinks humanity should be a cancer on the earth and there should be no "room for nature." It's significant that this is the only repeated phrase.
Overall, the Guidestones' wording encouraged positive values. The idea that anyone found them to be harmful says more about them and their values.
1. Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.
2. Guide reproduction wisely – improving fitness and diversity.
3. Unite humanity with a living new language.
4. Rule passion – faith – tradition – and all things with tempered reason.
5. Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.
6. Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.
7. Avoid petty laws and useless officials.
8. Balance personal rights with social duties.
9. Prize truth – beauty – love – seeking harmony with the infinite.
10. Be not a cancer on the Earth – Leave room for nature – Leave room for nature.
2. Guide reproduction wisely – improving fitness and diversity.
3. Unite humanity with a living new language.
4. Rule passion – faith – tradition – and all things with tempered reason.
5. Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.
6. Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.
7. Avoid petty laws and useless officials.
8. Balance personal rights with social duties.
9. Prize truth – beauty – love – seeking harmony with the infinite.
10. Be not a cancer on the Earth – Leave room for nature – Leave room for nature.
#1 may be the most problematic, as it plays into nonsensical "new world order" conspiracy theories that accuse a shadowy, elite cabal of plotting to kill off most of humanity. The half-billion number is often presented as this cabal's ideal.
However, keep in mind that this guidance was intended to apply after a cataclysmic event that would destroy humanity. Notice that it says "maintain," not "reduce." This number, coincidentally, is the estimated number of people that could be supported by hunting and gathering or subsistence agriculture. Any higher number is solely due to technology.
#2 will bother anyone who opposes diversity. Think about the people today crying how "diversity is perversity."
#3 calls for a "living new language. Like it or not, English, which in its modern form is at least several centuries old, is the current international language. It's not likely people will spontaneously invent a new conlang and everyone will decide to learn it. Esperanto may be the most successful of these, spoken at some level by between 30,000 and 180,000 people, but with only 1,000 "native" speakers.
#4 shouldn't be a problem for anyone.
Same for #5 - who wants to rule nations with unfair laws and unjust laws? There shouldn't be any argument here.
#6 has been criticized as encouraging a one-world government, but if nations "rule internally," wouldn't a world court be better than resolving external disputes through warfare? Besides, we have a world court right now.
As for #7, who wants petty laws and useless officials? The libertarians should like this one.
#8 pretty much describes society. A functioning society requires individuals to relinquish a degree of personal freedom for the good of the group. For example, we shouldn't be free to run red lights just because we're in a hurry.
#9 might bother someone who despises truth, beauty, and love, and is upset by "harmony with the infinite" because their preferred deity has a different name.
#10 will bother anyone who thinks humanity should be a cancer on the earth and there should be no "room for nature." It's significant that this is the only repeated phrase.
Overall, the Guidestones' wording encouraged positive values. The idea that anyone found them to be harmful says more about them and their values.
