The desire for survival (or that of others)has been a great motivating force throughout know history. It seems to be the easiest to understand aspect of human society, or at least the most commonly recognized one.
I don't believe humanity will ever be completely united under threat of survival, as I've seen too often the reactions to such threats and history and my own life.
Unity will have to come from another commonality, in my opinion, one not born of fear or threat of harm.
Quoting: Anonymous Coward 67806333 True.
What is more common than our Humanity? Our planet perhaps.
I like that. Any thought on what that may or might be?
Quoting: Seer777 Well, as we are human, I don't believe that the unifying force which could unite us all will be separate from our commonality as humans. In my thought meanderings, I believe it will have to do with the fact that we share this common ground (and what it means to be human).
I expect, that the uniting force will have something to do with human discovery, hope for our own happiness, and something that inspires people to want to persue improvement of human life (but not due to a threat of harm).
Right now, in virtually all aspects of society some threat is used as a motivating force for discovery, hope of happiness, an inspiration for change. For example, in my understanding, new developments in medicine and energy are born out of threats.
Disease or threats of contagion are great motivators in medicine (not to mention financial implications, but that's another discussion). Likewise, in the energy fields developments are usually born out of limitation of resources or some implied threat of inaccessibility.
What if, discovery and motivation came not of necessity (or threat of harm), but out of the human instinct to explore and better themselves? That is the sort of thing I am expecting will unite us. Maybe it is simply the hope that such a thing is possible will be the key.