Are You Optimistic/Pessimistic About the Future...


Earlier a poster asked if I wanted to chat and I replied thus: I balance life and keep sane by trying to make people see the world as beautiful as I do, then I can be comfortable. So yes, I'm optimistic, but only for myself.
 
I'm an optimistic type of bloke, and are at an age where I can make decisions about where and what I want to do, obviously helps with having property and money in the bank. That said, I do look at my son's futures, I'm not overly protective parent (Once out of education, their on their own sort of) , I believe they have to make their own way in the world, yet I look around in this point in time, and it looks bleak. I try to install in them nothing is impossible, within means, and it isn't, it's just much harder/restrictive/costlier than back in my days. Perhaps that's the march of time thinking, but the gap from my dad to me having opportunities seemed similar, just seems way off these days IMO.
 
Of the world, human race?

Quite a few challenges...

Global warming and sea levels rising
A growing population placing ever increasing pressure on natural resources that are being destroyed at alarming rates
Species going extinct at alarming rates
the capacity to wipe ourselves out
Fears around AI

To counter that...
We're aware of the challenges is a good start
Technology and science could help bring solutions
We're showing more and more interest in the wellbeing of the natural world
Global birth rates are declining
We're becoming more compassionate as a species

So you feeling optimistic or pessimistic?

I think it could go either way but personally I'm optimistic about the future.

Technology and science have a big hand in f***ing everything up.
 
Technology and science have a big hand in f***ing everything up.
But you can get stuff instantly, no waiting, so that cuts down on your anticipation and excitement levels which screws your immune system...I could go on, but basically you need to put in what you take out, or find a way to challenge the first law of thermodynamics.
 
It’s a toss up whether the end of the world, or me popping my clogs will come first. Given that I’m currently posting this whilst sat on the bog with the world falling out of my arse, it’s a moot point.
 
But you can get stuff instantly, no waiting, so that cuts down on your anticipation and excitement levels which screws your immune system...I could go on, but basically you need to put in what you take out, or find a way to challenge the first law of thermodynamics.

I should be really ill, I’m almost Vulcan like when it comes to excitement. :lol:
 
Pessimistic put it this way I'm glad I was born when I was. Imagine being a young adult in 20 years time? Average house price will be £1m, cars will be £100k. Every little thing will be logged and recorded. You'll own nothing and nothing will be free. There'll be an oxygen tax and we'll eventually be under water.
Music will be awful, adverts will last an hour for a 5 minute video. Robots will do most jobs and take over .
 
Pessimistic put it this way I'm glad I was born when I was. Imagine being a young adult in 20 years time? Average house price will be £1m, cars will be £100k. Every little thing will be logged and recorded. You'll own nothing and nothing will be free. There'll be an oxygen tax and we'll eventually be under water.
Music will be awful, adverts will last an hour for a 5 minute video. Robots will do most jobs and take over .
It's what the people want though...the shock and horror when I tell people I don't have a mobile phone :eek:
 
For humans pessimistic, we just can't get our shit together and become a cohesive unit can we, if we could anything is possible.
If they crack fusion and devalue energy that could be interesting but I'm sure we'll find a way to fuck that up and make it all about money rather then ending poverty.

The planet will be fine once it kills enough of us and will re wild itself in no time I'm sure
 
I think so. If you go back to Roman times, slavery was rife, war was seen as a glorious thing, we used to watch people kill animals and other people for entertainment. Crime and murder was definitely more rife.

None of that is true in reality. Slavery is worse now than it has ever been according to many sources (google it) it's just hidden. Wars, although less frequent are much more damaging than they have ever been. Across the planet crime and murder are greater than ever even if it's just because the the world population is vastly greater than it has ever been.

I'm very pessimistic about our future, although without us I'd be very optimistic about the planets future.
 
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If the last forty years is anything to go by...

Every aspect of our lives, from life expectancy to general health, well-being and safety will be provably and measurably better; we'll have more leisure time and instant, universal access to things that were considered luxuries a mere decade ago and yet still - because we're human - insist everything was better before and things are now worse, because crucially, we were younger then.
 
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Of the world, human race?

Quite a few challenges...

Global warming and sea levels rising
A growing population placing ever increasing pressure on natural resources that are being destroyed at alarming rates
Species going extinct at alarming rates
the capacity to wipe ourselves out
Fears around AI

To counter that...
We're aware of the challenges is a good start
Technology and science could help bring solutions
We're showing more and more interest in the wellbeing of the natural world
Global birth rates are declining
We're becoming more compassionate as a species

So you feeling optimistic or pessimistic?

I think it could go either way but personally I'm optimistic about the future.
You do realise we are insignificant in the grand scale.
 
Agreed, honestly these last 3 years, have really taken the joy out of life, and looking towards the next 2 years. i hopeful of miracles at this stage but in the world and in my life, a lottery win etc, no world war, etc.

People keep telling me to hope nice things happen but I'm still jut muddling along not really enjoying myself. I'm just bored with life and don't think I really have a purpose anymore.
 
Pessimistic. Life's just shit really.
its how I feel most days atm, I sometimes feel guilty for having kids as what a mess we are leaving behind for them.
It's what the people want though...the shock and horror when I tell people I don't have a mobile phone :eek:
being "mobile" has damaged our social fabric so much, I didn't have a fun for so long, but banking and other issues means you have to conform. We will evolve to have bent necks and different fingers, all I see now is people with their faces stuck in there phones, even when crossing the bloody road, half the time dont even look up.

My vice is my computer, spend too much time reading online and enjoying this forum, dont have a TV and dont miss it, would drop my phone again if not for the stupid Doctors and Bank too, we as the human race imo need to slow down and maybe take a look around us at what's going on.
 
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If the last forty years is anything to go by...

Every aspect of our lives, from life expectancy to general health, well-being and safety will be provably and measurably better; we'll have more leisure time and instant, universal access to things that were considered luxuries a mere decade ago and yet still - because we're human - insist everything was better before and things are now worse, because crucially, we were younger then.
People have been predicting that kind of lifestyle for 70 years man but the reality is that more leisure time means more unemployment and poverty. You don't really think those with the wealth and power are ever going to share it with the rest do you so that they can live a life of pleasure?
 
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I used to be optimistic, not now though.
Even if we could cure the environmental issues and reduce war, I honestly think social media could cause the breakdown of society.
Too many various cranks, conspiracy theorists and truth deniers have a platform now and I honestly think over time they could bring down structured society.
 
People keep telling me to hope nice things happen but I'm still jut muddling along not really enjoying myself. I'm just bored with life and don't think I really have a purpose anymore.
I understand that, its so hard at times.

Just want to say mind you have helped so many people on here just by being around to chat, you are such an inspiring person, even with your own issues you find it in you to be there for others.

its how I feel most days atm, I sometimes feel guilty for having kids as what a mess we are leaving behind for them.

being "mobile" has damaged our social fabric so much, I didn't have a fun for so long, but banking and other issues means you have to conform. We will evolve to have bent necks and different fingers, all I see now is people with their faces stuck in there phones, even when crossing the bloody road, half the time dont even look up.

My vice is my computer, spend too much time reading online and enjoying this forum, dont have a TV and dont miss it, would drop my phone again if not for the stupid Doctors and Bank too, we as the human race imo need to slow down and maybe take a look around us at what's going on.
damn typos, phone not fun!

People have been predicting that kind of lifestyle for 70 years man but the reality is that more leisure time means more unemployment and poverty. You don't really think those with the wealth and power are ever going to share it with the rest do you so that they can live a life of pleasure?
I agree with that, watched an online documentary years ago, that showed the tribes in the world tended to have more free time than us, granted was periods of extreme being busy, but on the whole was a much slower pace of life.
I think we have been sold a lie, to keep this system ticking over for the benefit of the few.
 
The world has been trashed but there is still beauty everywhere. Life is slightly tougher than it was but most people live a life unimaginable 100 years ago. People have access to all knowledge there ever was for free on a little electronic device.
All the tools and resources are there for anyone to live the best life. Only health issues can prevent anyone from living a fantastic life.
I love it and whilst I’m far older than I would like I still have a laugh every day and will work at remaining fit and healthy for a couple of more decades.
I’m optimistic that the next 20 years will be great fun.
 

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