I don't see how anyone can look at the world today and not see a great deal of shittiness about it. But I also think a couple of companion questions might be:
"What goodness and beauty do you see in the world?"
and,
"What are you doing to make the world better and less shitty?"
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
I'm just worried with overpopulation, global warming, pollution, homelessness, increasing drug related violence, wars, China flexing its muscle and about to invade Hong Kong and Taiwan and possibly Australia, terrorism, my mental health, etc etc etc
Many of these worries are “newsroom worries”. I’m sure some of them are truly threatening, some of them evidently are, while others, it’s just hard to tell if it’s a political issue. Fear and desperation makes for good political issues and keep eyeballs glued to the tv.
I think calling them 'newsroom worries' makes them seem they aren't happening. A lot of them can't be seen in our day to day life so they are easily dismissed. But they are all issues that if not corrected will affect the human race in the future. Overpopulation is a major concern as it affects so many areas- resources, loss of wildlife due to expansion, etc. Global warming was generally accepted by both sides until it was politicised by the Tea Party because lobbies stepped in. Wars could virtually end human life on this planet if a series of numerous factors all fell into place.
I do have faith in the younger generations, even as maligned as they are. They tend to be a lot more color-blind and I see younger people becoming engaged in political/environmental issues that I never thought about at that age. More Americans need to vote and elect people who abide by ridding the world of the errors we are making in destroying it. Hopefully that will happen.
The world is not going to get better...too much greed and not near enough compassion in this world.
I just recently read that the original Woodstock that was used, the owner was a standup republican who believed in freedom of expression. Could you see any Republican offer up the same...not on your life..."no way any dirty hippies are going to play loud rock music on my land".
That's how fucked up the world is ... and these politicians are dividing us and we are all the losers because of it.
Within this little bubble, go to the good news thread. Look for it around you. Observe how kindly people react when faced with the unthinkable. How some people are just kind.
The goodness and beauty I see? Begins right here, at home. It's all around. Missing that is as harmful, to me, as declaring the world is shitty. Parts are, sure. People, moreso. But overall? It's not, to me.
As for my part, I'm not going to rehash my little contributions. I'm good with them.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Within this little bubble, go to the good news thread. Look for it around you. Observe how kindly people react when faced with the unthinkable. How some people are just kind.
The goodness and beauty I see? Begins right here, at home. It's all around. Missing that is as harmful, to me, as declaring the world is shitty. Parts are, sure. People, moreso. But overall? It's not, to me.
As for my part, I'm not going to rehash my little contributions. I'm good with them.
I just think you should unfriend that one friend who is a racist against black people. Nobody needs a friend like that, and nobody like that deserves friends. IMO.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
It’s almost taken as a given now when a talking head says something to the effect of, “our country (usa) is more divided than we’ve ever been”. There are a lot of different places one can go with this statement, but I really don’t see that much conflict on a day to day basis. Here’s where I’m coming from and here are some observations...
I’m a 30 something year old attorney from Connecticut. I’m a white guy. All the people I went to law school with are employed. All the guys from my three men’s league hockey teams are employed, and of about 40 different guys, 3-4 aren’t really settled in at career track jobs. The people who I know that are in financial difficulties are all clients of mine. My client base is made up of about 250 active clients, I would say 55%-60% are black. There are plenty of black lawyers in my area, so of any of my clients gave a flying hoot about wanting a black lawyer, they sure as shit wouldn’t hire me. I dont have any black people who are racist towards white people in my life. Of my friends, I have one white friend who I would truly consider a racist towards black people. Of my friends and acquaintances, almost all the white, hard core libs, would say that same shit that Biden did about poor kids being just as smart as white kids. It’s serious soft bigotry of low expectation bullshit. My chance of being killed by a mass shooter are pretty low. I have 5000% higher chance of specifically being killed by an angry client of something. The chance of me being randomly killed or killed at war is historically low. I get really depressed sometimes, but it’s always the result of some personal or interpersonal issues, not a societal one. I’m much more prone to think this world is going to hell in a handbasket after watching the news.
The huge negative societal issue that I run into on a day to day and year to year is the complete cycle of hopeless amongst a huge majority of the black community. Subpar schooling, fatherlessness, young mothers, violence, joblessness, poverty and no hope of getting out. If I was to structure political views and plans just around what I see, this would be issue number 1.
Most of all, the world I see on tv sounds appreciably worse than the one I see with my eyes, just wondering if it’s the same with you guys.
I hate to say that I really do see a shitty world out there.
1) We've been divided in the past, but we've also been able to come to the same table and argue our opposing positions civilly, and even (dare I say) learn and modify our perspectives when presented with reason. Now, we do not come to the same table, we don't argue positions civilly (or even logically usually), and we typically are closed-minded to all but those who agree with us, which is more of an echo chamber than a debate. This lack of exposure to thought diversity threatens all of our progress, regardless of our beliefs. 2) Yes, mass media is a megaphone for shitty news (which sells better), amplifying the ills of the world until we're completely inundated with them. With that said, it's plausible to me that it's been this shitty for some time, just with the way communications happen digitally, gaining access to formerly private information now happens all the time through leaks and whatnot (aka same shit, new exposure). So, not quite saying "it was never shitty, and it still never is" - more saying "it likely always was shitty, and it still is". 3) Two very serious existential threats (the climate and nuclear proliferation) do not even have consensus amongst our populations as being very serious existential threats. When we should all be at the point where we're enacting policies to prevent catastrophe, and we're stuck on convincing people that these threats are real - it doesn't leave me enormously hopeful about our ability to think big-picture when unity is needed. 4) The short-term greed potential is arguably greater than ever. Supporting the greater good typically involves longer-term sacrifices that people don't want to make, and when those who have seen their wealth correlated with how much power they have succeeded at concentrating, they have little to no impetus to change that approach. 5) The powerless don't have the power to make their lives better, and the powerful criticize the powerless for not pulling up their bootstraps to get something started. This creates more class-based animosity and division.
Depending on how much the factors above weigh into your own worldview relative to your day-to-day concerns, it's extremely easy to me to see the world as predominantly shitty with such themes of apathy, willful ignorance, deception, undue thought control being on full display, and threatening our future. I believe overcoming the realities above is paramount to our existence, and unlikely to be attained - so I see the world as shitty (and getting shittier).
'05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
the world is going to get a whole lot uglier when China's military is bigger and mightier than that of the US and they start invading countries in the Asia/Pacific with their military.
Totally disagree. The age of warfare is over. Economic interdependence has curtailed the primary reason for war. MAD is the other disincentive. Economic warfare, like we have at a minor scale today is the future.
I don't think the world is nearly as bad as it has been historically. Egalitarian opportunity has never been stronger in this country. Yes, some people are left behind, but capitalism always leaves people behind. The difference today is "who" is being left behind. Today, it's more about your education level and/or skills, not your color, race, creed.
I honestly don't think the world is as bad as it seems; all the negative things we witness have been around forever but now we are seeing it all instantly because of social media and 24/7 news.
I don't think the world is nearly as bad as it has been historically. Egalitarian opportunity has never been stronger in this country. Yes, some people are left behind, but capitalism always leaves people behind. The difference today is "who" is being left behind. Today, it's more about your education level and/or skills, not your color, race, creed.
The world has never been better. From global poverty to inequality between nations, all the indicators are showing progress. This is a comforting narrative – popularized by the likes of Bill Gates and Steven Pinker. But is it true? Jason Hickel examines the rise of this so-called ‘New Optimism’.
It’s almost taken as a given now when a talking head says something to the effect of, “our country (usa) is more divided than we’ve ever been”. There are a lot of different places one can go with this statement, but I really don’t see that much conflict on a day to day basis. Here’s where I’m coming from and here are some observations...
I’m a 30 something year old attorney from Connecticut. I’m a white guy. All the people I went to law school with are employed. All the guys from my three men’s league hockey teams are employed, and of about 40 different guys, 3-4 aren’t really settled in at career track jobs. The people who I know that are in financial difficulties are all clients of mine. My client base is made up of about 250 active clients, I would say 55%-60% are black. There are plenty of black lawyers in my area, so of any of my clients gave a flying hoot about wanting a black lawyer, they sure as shit wouldn’t hire me. I dont have any black people who are racist towards white people in my life. Of my friends, I have one white friend who I would truly consider a racist towards black people. Of my friends and acquaintances, almost all the white, hard core libs, would say that same shit that Biden did about poor kids being just as smart as white kids. It’s serious soft bigotry of low expectation bullshit. My chance of being killed by a mass shooter are pretty low. I have 5000% higher chance of specifically being killed by an angry client of something. The chance of me being randomly killed or killed at war is historically low. I get really depressed sometimes, but it’s always the result of some personal or interpersonal issues, not a societal one. I’m much more prone to think this world is going to hell in a handbasket after watching the news.
The huge negative societal issue that I run into on a day to day and year to year is the complete cycle of hopeless amongst a huge majority of the black community. Subpar schooling, fatherlessness, young mothers, violence, joblessness, poverty and no hope of getting out. If I was to structure political views and plans just around what I see, this would be issue number 1.
Most of all, the world I see on tv sounds appreciably worse than the one I see with my eyes, just wondering if it’s the same with you guys.
First of all, lbpeltz, welcome to the monkey house. Nice to see a fresh presence here.
I don't watch much TV any more but if that's all I had to go on in terms of viewing the world, I would make as quick and painless an exit from this plain as possible. So yes, when I do on rare occasion watch the TV news, I see a world worse than the world I walk around in.
On the other hand, were I to be stuck in certain parts of the world- a really rough ghetto or a place wracked with disease- that world might seem worse than TV. It's a big damn world. Despite the things I don't like about it, I'm grateful to be in the part of the world I am in.
Yes, I find the world as a whole going through a downward phase environmentally, socially and surely politically. Looking at history, the world goes through phases. I'm guessing our current social and political scenes will cycle back to a better place at some point (not gonna guess when). The environment will cycle again as well. The problem for us humans is that even though we have time to come back around socially and politically, as we have always done, that may not be so for us environmentally. Nature's time is vast and we may well not be able to keep to nature's scheduled, mainly due to the damage we've incurred on the planet. We may well be toast before the planet heals. A major healing even in nature can make the changes in our political and social cycles seem like blink of the eye.
And then there is the mysterious or what people call "religion" or "spirituality". I don't think the core of mystery ever changes, just our relationship (or lack thereof) to it. For me, in spiritual terms, this isn't time to get re-familiarized with any of the myths, interesting though they are. I'm currently thinking its more important for me to become more familiar with a flower or a tiny bug, or the wind in the trees, or a very large mountain.
Thanks for the warm greeting. Much appreciated and often unheard of on the interwebs to see a kind greeting.
I appreciate your view and do hope that my nonchalant attitude towards the environment isn’t contributing towards our demise. I don’t try to be a polluting jerk, but I'm not really the green type. Anything in particular that I should read to educate myself on the environment?
An likewise, thanks for you kind response.
There is so much out there to read on environment these days and it's hard to sift through what's worth the time to read and what's not. It also depends on ones perspective and no doubt you will get many opinions on this. In my humble opinion, some excellent books on environment include:
Bill McKibben, Eaarth (yes, with two a's)
Bill McKibben, The End of Nature
Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire
Edward Abbey: The Monkey Wrench Gang
Edward O. Wilson: The Future of Life
Wendell Berry: Home Economics
Wendell Berry: The Unsettling of America
Tom Hayden: The Lost Gospel of the Earth
Lamya Essemali with Paul Watson: Interview with a Pirate: Captain Paul Watson
I don't think the world is nearly as bad as it has been historically. Egalitarian opportunity has never been stronger in this country. Yes, some people are left behind, but capitalism always leaves people behind. The difference today is "who" is being left behind. Today, it's more about your education level and/or skills, not your color, race, creed.
The world has never been better. From global poverty to inequality between nations, all the indicators are showing progress. This is a comforting narrative – popularized by the likes of Bill Gates and Steven Pinker. But is it true? Jason Hickel examines the rise of this so-called ‘New Optimism’.
So did you read this? Do you think he's correct that state based economies such as Russia, Argentina, Cuba and the currency manipulating China are the better mechanisms to raise more people out of poverty?
I don't think the world is nearly as bad as it has been historically. Egalitarian opportunity has never been stronger in this country. Yes, some people are left behind, but capitalism always leaves people behind. The difference today is "who" is being left behind. Today, it's more about your education level and/or skills, not your color, race, creed.
The world has never been better. From global poverty to inequality between nations, all the indicators are showing progress. This is a comforting narrative – popularized by the likes of Bill Gates and Steven Pinker. But is it true? Jason Hickel examines the rise of this so-called ‘New Optimism’.
Regarding division, I definitely see more Confederate flag flying than I did a few years ago and it's become nearly impossible to talk politics nowadays so I do think we are as divided as ever.
This is interesting but you had mentioned before that the area you live in can be pretty bigoted.
I do find it amazing that people are coming out the woodwork with the racism crap.
Yes, it is a very "rural" area lol
The racism isn't new, the boldness with which it is displayed is new. Well, not new, more like a throwback to the old days before people got their shit together in the 90s.
I would love to have a big stack of white flags and hand these out to these stars and bars douchebags, saying this was your final flag. fly it proudly you fucking loser.......
That last comment is fucking brilliant. White flags. I love it. Well done.
I don't think the world is nearly as bad as it has been historically. Egalitarian opportunity has never been stronger in this country. Yes, some people are left behind, but capitalism always leaves people behind. The difference today is "who" is being left behind. Today, it's more about your education level and/or skills, not your color, race, creed.
The world has never been better. From global poverty to inequality between nations, all the indicators are showing progress. This is a comforting narrative – popularized by the likes of Bill Gates and Steven Pinker. But is it true? Jason Hickel examines the rise of this so-called ‘New Optimism’.
So did you read this? Do you think he's correct that state based economies such as Russia, Argentina, Cuba and the currency manipulating China are the better mechanisms to raise more people out of poverty?
China has lifted a shit ton of people out of poverty.
I don't think the world is nearly as bad as it has been historically. Egalitarian opportunity has never been stronger in this country. Yes, some people are left behind, but capitalism always leaves people behind. The difference today is "who" is being left behind. Today, it's more about your education level and/or skills, not your color, race, creed.
The world has never been better. From global poverty to inequality between nations, all the indicators are showing progress. This is a comforting narrative – popularized by the likes of Bill Gates and Steven Pinker. But is it true? Jason Hickel examines the rise of this so-called ‘New Optimism’.
So did you read this? Do you think he's correct that state based economies such as Russia, Argentina, Cuba and the currency manipulating China are the better mechanisms to raise more people out of poverty?
China has lifted a shit ton of people out of poverty.
Not sure using the metric of 7.90 USD per day that the author of the piece uses as the benchmark. But of course the irony is all of that is driven by the incoming capitalism if the western world, fueling the demand for the products.
I don't think the world is nearly as bad as it has been historically. Egalitarian opportunity has never been stronger in this country. Yes, some people are left behind, but capitalism always leaves people behind. The difference today is "who" is being left behind. Today, it's more about your education level and/or skills, not your color, race, creed.
The world has never been better. From global poverty to inequality between nations, all the indicators are showing progress. This is a comforting narrative – popularized by the likes of Bill Gates and Steven Pinker. But is it true? Jason Hickel examines the rise of this so-called ‘New Optimism’.
So did you read this? Do you think he's correct that state based economies such as Russia, Argentina, Cuba and the currency manipulating China are the better mechanisms to raise more people out of poverty?
China has lifted a shit ton of people out of poverty.
Not sure using the metric of 7.90 USD per day that the author of the piece uses as the benchmark. But of course the irony is all of that is driven by the incoming capitalism if the western world, fueling the demand for the products.
Well, isn’t all poverty relative? I’ve read posters here claim that if you own a mobile phone, an Obamaphone or otherwise, you couldn’t possibly be in poverty. Different perspective offered by the World Bank.
I don't think the world is nearly as bad as it has been historically. Egalitarian opportunity has never been stronger in this country. Yes, some people are left behind, but capitalism always leaves people behind. The difference today is "who" is being left behind. Today, it's more about your education level and/or skills, not your color, race, creed.
The world has never been better. From global poverty to inequality between nations, all the indicators are showing progress. This is a comforting narrative – popularized by the likes of Bill Gates and Steven Pinker. But is it true? Jason Hickel examines the rise of this so-called ‘New Optimism’.
So did you read this? Do you think he's correct that state based economies such as Russia, Argentina, Cuba and the currency manipulating China are the better mechanisms to raise more people out of poverty?
China has lifted a shit ton of people out of poverty.
Not sure using the metric of 7.90 USD per day that the author of the piece uses as the benchmark. But of course the irony is all of that is driven by the incoming capitalism if the western world, fueling the demand for the products.
Well, isn’t all poverty relative? I’ve read posters here claim that if you own a mobile phone, an Obamaphone or otherwise, you couldn’t possibly be in poverty. Different perspective offered by the World Bank.
Louis Armstrong, a black man recording in 1967 in the midst of the war in Vietnam, sang "What a Wonderful World" so genuinely as to make it seem like it really was wonderful. Maybe we need more of that and less, "What a Shi-i-ty World". It is shitty, but it's wonderful too.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Louis Armstrong, a black man recording in 1967 in the midst of the war in Vietnam, sang "What a Wonderful World" so genuinely as to make it seem like it really was wonderful. Maybe we need more of that and less, "What a Shi-i-ty World". It is shitty, but it's wonderful too.
But it wasnt wonderful. You were napalming children.
Hiding behind a lie to not face reality is ofc the core of the US society with the ”American Dream” etc. But still.
Facing reality is important me thinks.
Post edited by Spiritual_Chaos on
"Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
Louis Armstrong, a black man recording in 1967 in the midst of the war in Vietnam, sang "What a Wonderful World" so genuinely as to make it seem like it really was wonderful. Maybe we need more of that and less, "What a Shi-i-ty World". It is shitty, but it's wonderful too.
But it wasnt wonderful. You were napalming children.
Hiding behind a lie to not face reality is ofc the core of the US society with the ”American Dream” etc. But still.
Facing reality is important me thinks.
Yeah Brian, how could you think the world was wonderful while YOU were napalming children? Face reality man. This is why ABBA and Ace of Base spent their entire careers writing songs of atonement.
Good job, SC. You set him straight and made more friends.
Comments
We have power to effect some changes but nature and its quirks will always win out.
This isn't my being cavalier about the ills all around, but it's my take right now.
And I really miss soft-shell crabs.
I do have faith in the younger generations, even as maligned as they are. They tend to be a lot more color-blind and I see younger people becoming engaged in political/environmental issues that I never thought about at that age. More Americans need to vote and elect people who abide by ridding the world of the errors we are making in destroying it. Hopefully that will happen.
I just recently read that the original Woodstock that was used, the owner was a standup republican who believed in freedom of expression. Could you see any Republican offer up the same...not on your life..."no way any dirty hippies are going to play loud rock music on my land".
That's how fucked up the world is ... and these politicians are dividing us and we are all the losers because of it.
The goodness and beauty I see? Begins right here, at home. It's all around. Missing that is as harmful, to me, as declaring the world is shitty. Parts are, sure. People, moreso. But overall? It's not, to me.
As for my part, I'm not going to rehash my little contributions. I'm good with them.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
HAULTS MAUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1) We've been divided in the past, but we've also been able to come to the same table and argue our opposing positions civilly, and even (dare I say) learn and modify our perspectives when presented with reason. Now, we do not come to the same table, we don't argue positions civilly (or even logically usually), and we typically are closed-minded to all but those who agree with us, which is more of an echo chamber than a debate. This lack of exposure to thought diversity threatens all of our progress, regardless of our beliefs.
2) Yes, mass media is a megaphone for shitty news (which sells better), amplifying the ills of the world until we're completely inundated with them. With that said, it's plausible to me that it's been this shitty for some time, just with the way communications happen digitally, gaining access to formerly private information now happens all the time through leaks and whatnot (aka same shit, new exposure). So, not quite saying "it was never shitty, and it still never is" - more saying "it likely always was shitty, and it still is".
3) Two very serious existential threats (the climate and nuclear proliferation) do not even have consensus amongst our populations as being very serious existential threats. When we should all be at the point where we're enacting policies to prevent catastrophe, and we're stuck on convincing people that these threats are real - it doesn't leave me enormously hopeful about our ability to think big-picture when unity is needed.
4) The short-term greed potential is arguably greater than ever. Supporting the greater good typically involves longer-term sacrifices that people don't want to make, and when those who have seen their wealth correlated with how much power they have succeeded at concentrating, they have little to no impetus to change that approach.
5) The powerless don't have the power to make their lives better, and the powerful criticize the powerless for not pulling up their bootstraps to get something started. This creates more class-based animosity and division.
Depending on how much the factors above weigh into your own worldview relative to your day-to-day concerns, it's extremely easy to me to see the world as predominantly shitty with such themes of apathy, willful ignorance, deception, undue thought control being on full display, and threatening our future. I believe overcoming the realities above is paramount to our existence, and unlikely to be attained - so I see the world as shitty (and getting shittier).
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
https://newint.org/features/2019/07/01/long-read-progress-and-its-discontents
Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.
Brilliantati©
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_China
Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.
Brilliantati©
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Hiding behind a lie to not face reality is ofc the core of the US society with the ”American Dream” etc. But still.
Facing reality is important me thinks.
Good job, SC. You set him straight and made more friends.