Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh
Actually, with the cost of the means of production falling, and with access to information now much more widespread, things could be different this time.
There were similar portents of doom in the 60s and 70s (over-population, food shortages, raw materials running out, thermonuclear war leading to nuclear winter), that were forecast to happen in the 80s and 90s, but we are all still here and (mostly) surviving.
I would rather be an optimist (even in my late 50s) and fairly happy and be occasionally disappointed, than be a pessimist and always be miserable waiting for something to go badly...
ymmv  |
Being optimistic is fine as long as there's a plan B for if/when the optimism turns out to have been misplaced. I seem to recall Chamberlain being highly optimistic with his 'promise 'from Hitler and some say had he not been so, the UK would have been far better prepared for what was to come.
If everyone chooses to take an optimistic view of every scenario then nobody's going to be fully prepared when the worst happens. Furthermore being concerned about events tends to galvanise ordinary people into action and that may well be the only way to prevent catastrophe. I'd love to be optimistic about Europe's future but think I'll have to leave that to you.
Oh and btw, don't assume that my posting here represents my real life in some way. This is the only place I post my opinions on such matters and I spend far more time playing 2D pool than predicting doom and gloom so I can't be that pessimistic or I'd be building a bunker, stocking it with provisions and buying gold...
Believe me, being the parent of a severely disabled child requires a great deal of positivity - lose that and you rapidly lose your sanity. I have my moments of doubt and fear but don't think I'm quite there yet...
