Like MtD, I believe we have fought over the world's diminishing natural resources since time began. These days we have additional complex issues, such as arbitory lines that tell us this piece of land belongs to us and we should protect it at all times/cost.

That said, I think (certainly in the West) there has been a sort of deskilling of natural thought. Too many follow the crowd mentality and live in nanny states where a few tell the many what they should be thinking and doing and rather than question those instructions like lemmings follow. The so-called "press" in the West also have a lot to answer for in this regard.

So, to answer your question, I'd agree that tirany and destruction are man's natural traits. Do we have to act like this? Well, I've rather liked life in the Star Trek movies, peace and love and all that. I especially liked the role Dr. Bones played. Maybe we should start each school day with an hour of Star Trek and people might start to get the idea that metal detectors in schools is no fun. Maybe we'll start to control the gun lobby and each of the many religious factions around the world. Possibly we could get rid of the lobbiest. Maybe we could even get things together enough to tell our leaders that this is not the way we want to live our pathetic lives and actually do something about it.

In short, what we need is a Summer of Love!