"I have conquered an empire but I have not been able to conquer myself...."

[Rowdyboy]

Peter the Great d. February 8, 1725

[Amerincorporated]

1. Humanity in a nutshell

We struggle to outgrow our violent, warlike basest instincts, evolving beyond a mere self-aware animal. That struggle often loses out to our prehistoric lust to procreate and dominate to ensure our community's survival. Considering the amount of time we've been around in our current form, and the 2,000 or so years since we've had a philosophical awakening to the possibility of living for a higher purpose, things aren't looking too good.

[Rowdyboy]

2. Well stated. We've made remarkably little progress in many aspects of life over the last 2000 years

In science and technology we have made perhaps too much progress to fast. In behavior and basic humanity far too little.

And welcome to DU

[Bucky]

3. I believe this was said in reference to his weakness for double-mint Oreos

[eppur_se_muova]

4. So ... he wasn't "master of his domain" ? nt

[Codeine]

5. . . .

[Odin2005]

6. Hah, he says this in Civ4!