The future of our species

[wayneL]

Conversation here on ASF has got me thinking about our future on this planet.

I am unreservedly an optimist (even if unreservedly a pessimist economically).

So:

I'm optimistic that climate change will not be catastrophic, but I'm also optimistic that even if climate change prove to be native that we will be able to adapt.

I'm optimistic that even if a economic system collapses that we will replace it with something else.

I'm optimistic that even though we are so divided politically and philosophical, and even if punctuated by civil war that we will eventually come together.

I'm even optimistic that eventually we may be able to discuss our differences with respect; I'm even optimistic that the democratic process may eventually be respected, and that the relatively objective truth may prevail.

I trust that the majority people have the best of intentions, even if it may seem opposite to our own best intentions.

Moreover, I think that the reality of humanity is a process of compromise. None of us can have our cake and eat it too, not without the distinct possibility of revolt from the disenchanted.

The juxtaposition between individualism and collectivism might just be really important. Where that middle point is might be a mystery, where we can tolerate each other might be a shifting goal but at least we can try.

 

[SirRumpole]

We are one of the most adaptive species on the planet, but if climate change is as bad as some people say then I think Gaia will take over and reduce the number of our species to to a level where the natural forces will balance again and those left will survive, although maybe not as comfortably as some did before.

Good idea for a thread wayne.

 

[Knobby22]

I am a little worried about democracy.
Seems the ability of the big end of town and foreign powers to use effective propaganda has increased.

Also morals of politicians seem to have hit new lows, at least in the USA and Australia.

The Bridget Mackenzie scandal for instance; Morrison said she was sacked for not declaring membership of the gun club.

It seems, in his opinion, it was OK to use our money for Coalition purposes. This is corrosive for Democracy and our faith in politicians.

 

[sptrawler]

I am a little worried about democracy.
Seems the ability of the big end of town and foreign powers to use effective propaganda has increased.

Also morals of politicians seem to have hit new lows, at least in the USA and Australia.

The Bridget Mackenzie scandal for instance; Morrison said she was sacked for not declaring membership of the gun club.

It seems, in his opinion, it was OK to use our money for Coalition purposes. This is corrosive for Democracy and our faith in politicians.

What you think 'pork barreling' is new, how old are you.

Here you go Knobby, a bit of a history lesson and you think new lows have been reached. OMG

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork_barrel

Plenty more reading on the internet, covering all sides of politics, if you want to read up.

Here is one on the internet about Labour supposedly pork barreling with the NBN roll out.
Turnbull, shadow minister for communications and broadband, made the comments in response to a report in The Australian yesterday which revealed 59 per cent of suburbs scheduled for construction of the NBN this year and 2013 are in Labor electorates. This compares to only 35 per cent in Coalition electorates.

“This suggests the NBN will reach almost twice as many households in Labor-held areas as in Coalition-held areas between now and the next election, even though the Coalition holds 73 seats in the House of Representatives and Labor only 72,” Turnbull said in a statement.

 

[Knobby22]

As usual you miss the point.

 

[sptrawler]

As usual you miss the point.

Sorry I thought, you thought this behaviour was unusual, when it happens all the time.
As I said earlier on this incident, people should be thrown in jail, but it doen't happen and it gets repeated ad infinitum.
What point did I miss?
By the way I went for an early walk this morning, down to the Sunday markets, the stall holders were putting up their tents and chatting.
Most were talking about how sorry they felt for ScoMo and all the problems he is facing, I nearly fell over laughing.

 

[sptrawler]

I am a little worried about democracy.
Seems the ability of the big end of town and foreign powers to use effective propaganda has increased.
.

With regard the big end of town and foreign powers using propaganda, I think with the advent of social media and the fall in penetration of the news media, people are much more informed these days and are making more balanced judgements.
So personally I think democracy is probably in the best shape it has been in the last 40 years, take Trump for example he is a goose, he can't string a sentence together, but the public like him because they feel he is improving their lot.
The next U.S election will tell a lot, because the big end of town want him out, we will see what the masses want at the election, that's democracy.

 

[PZ99]

The future of our species is sound if you remove the unwanted waste of last nights' dinner.

Two newborn babies will get along just fine regardless of race or colour. It's called mateship.

It's the removal thereof and replaced with prejudiced propaganda that distorts the middle point.

A quick fix is to remove the religious objections to putting more pork in your barrel

 

[sptrawler]

Child anxiety, is becoming a problem in Australia, well IMO is there any wonder the kids are listening to 24/7 doom and gloom.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/video/w/half-a-million-kids-suffering-from-anxiety-in-australia/vp-AAAZpLA

 

[macca]

Child anxiety, is becoming a problem in Australia, well IMO is there any wonder the kids are listening to 24/7 doom and gloom.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/video/w/half-a-million-kids-suffering-from-anxiety-in-australia/vp-AAAZpLA

A lot of kids are very easily scared, the boogie man under the bed is quite real to them yet we have so called child experts talking gloom and doom to them as often as possible.

When I hear teenagers on TV news stating quite definitely that the world will end in 10 years time I get so teed off with their parents, teachers and mentors and I feel so sad for them.

Why bother trying at school, Uni, why even bother living at all......................

 

[SirRumpole]

When I hear teenagers on TV news stating quite definitely that the world will end in 10 years time I get so teed off with their parents, teachers and mentors and I feel so sad for them.

Obviously some scare tactics around, but the essential message should be that something can be done to change the future, I feel sorry for the kids that the oldies aren't doing enough to preserve the planet for the younger generations which is why they are getting angry.

I suppose wayne et al will think that's a Leftist rant, but you only have to look at the evidence.

 

[Knobby22]

My kids don't think the world is going to end. They know where it's going though.
Much more educated than I was at their age.

They don't suffer anxiety. None of their friends appear to. Could this be another beat up? Anxious parents appear far more common.

They are doing scouts, football, rowing, involved in council, pool parties, one is a vegetarian, rally for climate change action, watch bands at the zoo, university, secondary school, multiple jobs, learning bass guitar, boyfriend, hanging around.


The youth are optimistic despite what we have done.

 

[noirua]

Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.

Sitting Bull Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake

Sitting Bull and family 1881 at Ft Randall rear L–R Good Feather Woman (sister), Walks Looking (daughter) front L–R Her Holy Door (mother), Sitting Bull, Many Horses (daughter) with her son, Courting a Woman