Are You Optimistic/Pessimistic About the Future...


What future?

There is no future, the world is fooked, unless you're rich, an MP. banker or a CEO of an energy or oil company and or an arms dealer. :rolleyes:
 
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.

Exactly how I feel so I've liked your post even though I don't like it, if you get what I mean.

I find there's no joy in life anymore, everything is flat and just going through the motions.
 
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

Rewilding might be a tad more problematic than we think. I understand, from the bits of documentaries I managed to watch before they became too depressing, that much of the impact of carbon release has reached a point that is exponential and very likely irreversible.

The ‘melting’ of permafrost beneath the tundra is what I’m talking about . As the permafrost melts it releases huge amounts of trapped carbon. The carbon released from millions of years of permafrost adds to the layer already in the atmosphere. Which in turn, continues to impact on the permafrost.

They didn’t know this was happening until Great swathes of previously barren tundra developed lakes and marshland that bubbled. Guess what he bubbles were.

Incidentally it’s also releasing millions of years of microbes and bacteria that are harmful to human health. But that won’t prevent rewilding. Just maybe kill us all.

Have a nice day.
 
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.

Fair comment ! but the forecast looks bleak. You may have great fun in the next 20 years, I hope you do, but for many, it won't be like that. The world is better than the one our forefathers had to toil in, but we cant keep using that as an excuse to justify the generally comfortable lives we live today, things have got worse over the last 10 years or so, and will continue to do so if we allow it. There may still be beauty everywhere, but things could be so much better.
 
.......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.

What we really have is more people working longer hours on minimum wage while struggling to pay for food and domestic energy. If they do struggle they are told to get a second job or a better job. Getting NHS dental care is virtually impossible for millions and the way things are going so will general NHS care. The right to protest is going to become more restricted and we may even leave the ECHR under the pretext to limit illegal immigration. Ironically both championed by children of Indian immigrants. Aye lets bring on the caste system. Greater and greater surveillance of ordinary lawful people with CCTV, VNPR, and mobile phone tracking, you can be virtually tracked from the moment you leave your home to the minute you get back and all in the name of restricting crime which is going through the roof. Cash may become a thing of the past with every penny your spend monitored and you could be shut out of the system at the flick of switch. What a dream, what a vision, what a load of bullshit.
 
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Fair comment ! but the forecast looks bleak. You may have great fun in the next 20 years, I hope you do, but for many, it won't be like that. The world is better than the one our forefathers had to toil in, but we cant keep using that as an excuse to justify the generally comfortable lives we live today, things have got worse over the last 10 years or so, and will continue to do so if we allow it. There may still be beauty everywhere, but things could be so much better.
There is many things wrong with the world. I cannot change any of them. For the vast majority of people on the planet the world is far far better than it was for their grandparents.
Birth rate is now stable and in many places declining. So if technology comes up with a few more game changers then in a couple of hundred years the world could be ten times better. I won’t be here to see it. For me personally, the north east is buzzing. I can afford holidays if I want them. I have plenty of friends and a great life. My daughter is set to have an even better one than me. After that I’ll be dead and it’s no longer an issue.
 
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.

Found this a good book on the subject.


Not everyone agrees though.

Is that because we have evolved though, or because those with the brains realised it was better for them, to have a more peaceful society underpinned by strict laws etc that allowed them to make money and keep more of that money for themselves?

I'm not convinced if that thinking changed and those laws broke down, we wouldn't quickly return to those days. We have seen in recent times, how savagery can quickly return, Bosnia, and no doubt in Ukraine, if Ukraine win the war, and of course we still have ***** in this country who think its a good laugh to go Fox Hunting on a weekend.
 
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.

1 - having access to it doesn't mean that its used. in fact, having 24 hour access to everything and everything has pretty much devalued everything. peoples attention spans are miniscule, products and 'things' are bought and thrown away at the drop of hat. people know the price of everything and the value of nothing. all that access to the worlds information yet vast swathes of people can't cook, can't repair things, don't have hobbies, don't read and don't have any desire to learn anything. glued to a phone screen endlessly scrolling through absolute shite 5 second videos.

2- maybe for people lucky enough to be brought up in a developed country with a good upbringing and good public services, they have all the ingredients to make a good shot of it. i wonder how many millions of people on earth have no access to decent health care, an education, workers rights etc..

3- i guess its fine if you have money
 
There is many things wrong with the world. I cannot change any of them. For the vast majority of people on the planet the world is far far better than it was for their grandparents.
Birth rate is now stable and in many places declining. So if technology comes up with a few more game changers then in a couple of hundred years the world could be ten times better. I won’t be here to see it. For me personally, the north east is buzzing. I can afford holidays if I want them. I have plenty of friends and a great life. My daughter is set to have an even better one than me. After that I’ll be dead and it’s no longer an issue.

Technology is killing society not making it better though. As I said before, fair comment, you make some good points, but you are looking at things from an individualistic point of view ( Im alright Jack ) which is your prerogative, but I tend to look at things from a community angle rather than the individual. One of the fallouts from the recent past is the change from community to individualism, and I believe this in itself has made life worse. Each to their own of course, all about opinions, and I totally get why some people would out of fear go down that route of fending for themselves and looking after number 1, this is exactly where they want you.
 
Is that because we have evolved though, or because those with the brains realised it was better for them, to have a more peaceful society underpinned by strict laws etc that allowed them to make money and keep more of that money for themselves?

I'm not convinced if that thinking changed and those laws broke down, we wouldn't quickly return to those days. We have seen in recent times, how savagery can quickly return, Bosnia, and no doubt in Ukraine, if Ukraine win the war, and of course we still have ***** in this country who think its a good laugh to go Fox Hunting on a weekend.
War in the 21st Century

Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022)

2021 Israel-Palestine crisis (2021)

2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt (2016)

Yemeni Civil War (2015-present)

2014 Gaza War (2014)

Russian Annexation of Crimea (2014)

War in Donbas (2014-present)

Operation Pillar of Defence (2012)

Libyan Crisis (2011-present)

Syrian Civil War (2011-present)

Boko Haram (2009-present)

Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009)

Second Lebanon War (2006)

Iraq War and Insurgency (2003-2011)

Global War on Terrorism (2001-2013)

War in Afghanistan (2001-2014)

Second Intifada (2000-2005)

Second Chechen War (1999-2009)

Sierra Leone Civil War (1991-2002)

Operation Epervier (1986-2014)

France in Central African Republic (1979-2015)

1 - having access to it doesn't mean that its used. in fact, having 24 hour access to everything and everything has pretty much devalued everything. peoples attention spans are miniscule, products and 'things' are bought and thrown away at the drop of hat. people know the price of everything and the value of nothing. all that access to the worlds information yet vast swathes of people can't cook, can't repair things, don't have hobbies, don't read and don't have any desire to learn anything. glued to a phone screen endlessly scrolling through absolute shite 5 second videos.

2- maybe for people lucky enough to be brought up in a developed country with a good upbringing and good public services, they have all the ingredients to make a good shot of it. i wonder how many millions of people on earth have no access to decent health care, an education, workers rights etc..

3- i guess its fine if you have money
This access to information means little as people are now dominated by soundbite debate and anything longer is just passed over. TL/DR... we see it on here all the time.
 
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This access to information means little as people are now dominated by soundbite debate and anything longer is just passed over.

thats what i mean, my dads mate always tell me about books they used to read and share, they would be into bands and listen to full albums, they would go our regularly to socialise and have conversations... all done without the convenience of mobile phones and 24 hour contact with each other

obviously there were other things in the 70s that were tougher, less technology, colder houses, more manual work etc..
 
War in the 21st Century

Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022)

2021 Israel-Palestine crisis (2021)

2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt (2016)

Yemeni Civil War (2015-present)

2014 Gaza War (2014)

Russian Annexation of Crimea (2014)

War in Donbas (2014-present)

Operation Pillar of Defence (2012)

Libyan Crisis (2011-present)

Syrian Civil War (2011-present)

Boko Haram (2009-present)

Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009)

Second Lebanon War (2006)

Iraq War and Insurgency (2003-2011)

Global War on Terrorism (2001-2013)

War in Afghanistan (2001-2014)

Second Intifada (2000-2005)

Second Chechen War (1999-2009)

Sierra Leone Civil War (1991-2002)

Operation Epervier (1986-2014)

France in Central African Republic (1979-2015)


This access to information means little as people are now dominated by soundbite debate and anything longer is just passed over.

And the Yanks would no doubt have been involved in all of them ;)
 
1 - having access to it doesn't mean that its used. in fact, having 24 hour access to everything and everything has pretty much devalued everything. peoples attention spans are miniscule, products and 'things' are bought and thrown away at the drop of hat. people know the price of everything and the value of nothing. all that access to the worlds information yet vast swathes of people can't cook, can't repair things, don't have hobbies, don't read and don't have any desire to learn anything. glued to a phone screen endlessly scrolling through absolute shite 5 second videos.

2- maybe for people lucky enough to be brought up in a developed country with a good upbringing and good public services, they have all the ingredients to make a good shot of it. i wonder how many millions of people on earth have no access to decent health care, an education, workers rights etc..

3- i guess its fine if you have money
1. It is available to anyone who wishes to access it. People can cook, make things etc. If they choose not to, then it is a personal choice.
2. The standard of living for the vast majority of people living today has rocketed in the last 50 years. Primary education, primary healthcare, fertility control, access to electricity and enough food,
3. Money helps but most things of value cost little.
 
Conflicts between 1990 and 1999:

1990 1990 Invasion of Kuwait
1990 1991 Persian Gulf War - Operation Desert Storm
1990 1993 Rwandan Civil War
1990 1995 Tuareg Rebellion (1990-1995)
1991 1991 Ten-Day War
1991 1992 1991-1992 South Ossetia War
1991 1994 Djiboutian Civil War
1991 1995 Croatian War of Independence
1991 2002 Sierra Leone Civil War
1991 2002 Algerian Civil War
1991 Ongoing Somali Civil War
1991 1993 Georgian Civil War
1991 1991 1991 uprisings in Iraq
1992 1992 East Prigorodny Conflict
1992 1996 Civil war in Afghanistan (1992-1996)
1992 1992 War of Transnistria
1992 1993 War in Abkhazia (1992-1993)
1992 1995 Bosnian War
1992 1994 Croat-Bosniak War
1992 1997 Civil War in Tajikistan
1993 2005 Burundi Civil War
1993 Ongoing Ethnic Conflict in Nagaland
1994 1997 Iraqi Kurdish Civil War
1994 1994 Chiapas Conflict
1994 1994 1994 Civil War in Yemen
1994 1996 First Chechen War
1994 1999 Caprivi conflict
1995 1995 Cenepa War
1995 2009 Insurgency in Ogaden
1996 2006 Nepalese Civil War
1996 2001 Civil war in Afghanistan (1996-2001)
1996 1997 First Congo War
1997 1997 1997 rebellion in Albania
1997 1999 Republic of the Congo Civil War
1997 1997 1997 clashes in Cambodia
1997 2008 Pool Department Insurgency
1998 1998 War in Abkhazia (1998)
1998 2002 Civil war in Chad (1998-2002)
1998 1999 Kosovo War
1998 2000 Eritrean-Ethiopian War
1998 2003 Second Congo War
1998 1999 Guinea-Bissau Civil War
1999 1999 Kargil War
1999 2000 1999 East Timorese crisis
1999 2001 Insurgency in the Preševo Valley
1999 2003 Second Liberian Civil War
1999 2007 Ituri conflict
1999 1999 Invasion of Dagestan
1999 2009 Second Chechen War

Few - What was it someone said about Angels and less conflicts since the end of the Cold War? Wait till climate change kicks in.
 
Technology is killing society not making it better though. As I said before, fair comment, you make some good points, but you are looking at things from an individualistic point of view ( Im alright Jack ) which is your prerogative, but I tend to look at things from a community angle rather than the individual. One of the fallouts from the recent past is the change from community to individualism, and I believe this in itself has made life worse. Each to their own of course, all about opinions, and I totally get why some people would out of fear go down that route of fending for themselves and looking after number 1, this is exactly where they want you.
I totally agree that change from communal life to individual pods we live in has been massively detrimental.
I’d happily ban cars, televisions, the internet, air travel and a few other things beside. However, anyone can interact with the world how they wish. I take public transport most of the time, I meet up regularly with friends, I watch very little telly, my only social media outlet is this place. I don’t use chain restaurants or shops if I can avoid it. However, I watch live football and use Amazon.
The world has enough for anyone to live a brilliant life. If people choose not to then that is for them.
 
I totally agree that change from communal life to individual pods we live in has been massively detrimental.
I’d happily ban cars, televisions, the internet, air travel and a few other things beside. However, anyone can interact with the world how they wish. I take public transport most of the time, I meet up regularly with friends, I watch very little telly, my only social media outlet is this place. I don’t use chain restaurants or shops if I can avoid it. However, I watch live football and use Amazon.
The world has enough for anyone to live a brilliant life. If people choose not to then that is for them.
Must be great to be fit, healthy and mobile with no disabilities so let's make it impossible for the rest.
 
neither really. just happy to plod on and take things as they come, i try to change things if i'm able and don't fret about things i have no control over.
social media such as this is full of people who portray they have a better life than others. perhaps it's to blame for a lot of folk suffering with mental health?
one thing i will say is that we're incredibly lucky to live in the developed world.
 
War in the 21st Century

Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022)

2021 Israel-Palestine crisis (2021)

2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt (2016)

Yemeni Civil War (2015-present)

2014 Gaza War (2014)

Russian Annexation of Crimea (2014)

War in Donbas (2014-present)

Operation Pillar of Defence (2012)

Libyan Crisis (2011-present)

Syrian Civil War (2011-present)

Boko Haram (2009-present)

Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009)

Second Lebanon War (2006)

Iraq War and Insurgency (2003-2011)

Global War on Terrorism (2001-2013)

War in Afghanistan (2001-2014)

Second Intifada (2000-2005)

Second Chechen War (1999-2009)

Sierra Leone Civil War (1991-2002)

Operation Epervier (1986-2014)

France in Central African Republic (1979-2015)


This access to information means little as people are now dominated by soundbite debate and anything longer is just passed over. TL/DR... we see it on here all the time.
Deaths are far far lower than most of the past century.
 

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