Are FLers opimistic about the future?

[Otis]

I may be in the minority here, but I see more reason for optimism now than any time in the last thirty years. A couple of examples -

It seems like many youngsters are disappointed with their baby-boomer elders in the area of personal conduct- drink/drugs, sexual matters, ethics, business, and so on. How can this be a bad thing?

Secondly, the young seem to be less deluded that 'government' can do any thing but make things worse. I see more responsibility, entrepreneurship, tech-savvyness, disdain for war and other indicators that the future will be very bright indeed.
This is particularly true in Africa, India and China. I think the world will be fantastically better off with those formerly poor billions becoming productive and reaching the middle class.

What do you think?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I think that you live in a much different world than I do. Opposite World. :whistling
HD

 

[Dan Allen]

When I was in in high school in the early 60's we had our stunts and pranks for laughs, but things weren't damaged and certainly no one was hurt, you can't really say that about the kids today. In that respect I can't say that I am optimistic about the future.

 

[ButteMT61]

I think that you live in a much different world than I do. Opposite World. :whistling HD

I'm your neighbor is that respect. Where do Otis live?

 

[vitanola]

I think that you live in a much different world than I do. Opposite World. :whistling
HD

Perhaps not. It appears that he just views the world "objectively".

Come to think of it, that would certainly be pretty much the opposite of the general gist of the interwar period. You're probably righte, HD.

 

[Otis]

What, pessimism? Let me lay a couple more things on you guys then.

Take South America. Chile, Brazil and Argentina are major advanced economies. They're starting to make their presence felt internationally. Some of them offer more freedom, especially economic, than we have here.

How about Africa? Christianity is sweeping Africa, replacing the former animistic, occultic beliefs that have kept them primitive for so long. With the enormous natural wealth of Africa, they will eventually become productive and instead of being a drain on other societies, it'll soon be that they'll be a net exporter of good things.

Ditto for China. The old men that run it are committed to communist dogma in name only -- the young believe in hustling for a buck via international trade and US consumers are the beneficiaries.

Major organization like the Gates Foundation are working to extend lives and communication capabilities all over the poorest parts of the world. When that happens, how long can corrupt old dictators keep youngsters from seeing/tasting the lifestyles of the West and demanding to be 'cut in' on it for themselves?

Any way I look at it, long-term the future looks great to me - I only wish I could live another hundred years to see how it all plays out.

 

[wsc]

We are not supposed to refer to politics but a strong hell no vote from me

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Of course I'm right. I see the world every day the way I see it.

 

[DesertDan]

Otis, I'm glad that you are so very optimistic about the future. You and your generation are going to need it.

 

[Edward]

I can see this ending well.

 

[Tomasso]

There are a lot of positive aspects boding well for the future but there is one major negative developement which remains largely unaddressed and which carries with it catastrophic consequences: Overpopulation.

 

[sheeplady]

I can see this ending well.

lol that's the truth.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I can see this ending well.

Don't be such a pessimist, Ed. What could possibly make you see a bad ending here?

How about Africa? Christianity is sweeping Africa, replacing the former animistic, occultic beliefs that have kept them primitive for so long. With the enormous natural wealth of Africa, they will eventually become productive and instead of being a drain on other societies, it'll soon be that they'll be a net exporter of good things.

 

[Dragon Soldier]

Optimistic, pessimistic, The future doesn't care. It's coming anyway.

 

[Edward]

Don't be such a pessimist, Ed. What could possibly make you see a bad ending here?

Mn, get with the programme, eh? Yay capitalism, et cetera.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I'm fairly pessimistic, but not about the loss-of-old-time-courtesy-and-values like so many here: I've always been socially progressive, and today's world is SO demonstrably better than any misplaced nostalgia for some lost golden age. Between the medical, technological, and social advancements, it's a far better world... even if most adults dress depressingly like little kids and our culture grows ever more clueless and superficial.

But as already mentioned, the massive population and climate change (no matter why it's happening) will almost undoubtedly lead to a brutal world where many people are fighting for water, food, shelter, jobs, medical care... It's going to be very ugly, with ever-greater divides and clashes between the haves and have-nots, and massive failures of political systems and infrastructures. The atomic holocaust I was taught to fear as a child probably won't happen, but I think the world is ultimately headed to disaster nevertheless. It's not going to be about clashes of governments and ideologies, it's simply going to be about SURVIVAL.

But since I'm only going to be around for another 30 years or so if I'm lucky... it's my kids who'll have to deal with it. Neither of them want to have kids of their own, and maybe that's not as bad an idea as it seems just now.

 

[Sharpsburg]

I must agree with Dr. Strange. Both the past and the future must always be a combination of good and bad, warts and all. Many people are struggling to hold back the huge negative changes coming due to the causes he mentions. All said, I for one, am glad I won't be around when the oil starts to run out. That's when the you-know-what hits the you-know-what!

 

[HudsonHawk]

I'm optimistic, but I realize that puts me in the extreme minority, like I am about most things around here.

 

[ButteMT61]

There are a lot of positive aspects boding well for the future but there is one major negative developement which remains largely unaddressed and which carries with it catastrophic consequences: Overpopulation.

I believe 88.7% of all,the worlds problems stem from this AC. We are in agreement here.

 

[Dan Allen]

A whole generation is about, many of whom know little or nothing about discipline ( self or otherwise) and have no concept of consequences. I was an army brat, my father being a career officer. If I seriously messed up it appeared on my dads official record. Believe me--I was taught discipline and consequences early. I feel I was much the better for that.