Where are you on the spectrum of hope?

brianlux · December 2015

Having been involved in other conversations elsewhere related to this topic (and similar conversations here in the past), I'm curious as to how you good folks currently see yourselves on the spectrum of hope for this world, for your community, for your country, for civilization as a whole and for life as a whole (remembering we are but one species of many on this earth).

For my community, my hope is fair but not great as it continues to grow too fast for it's own good. For my country, my hope is weakening fast but not dead as I see young people with bright ideas and smarts who refuse to be sucked in and brought down by ignorance, idiocy, racism and hatred. For the world, my hope is most thin but I still refuse to become a full-fledged curmudgeon. I believe in luck more than miracles but I also often marvel at how we humans sometimes pull off the seemingly impossible. For other life, I feel badly for the other species for whom survival is at the mercy of our whims but I do find hope in the continued existence a few good earth warrior organizations.

What about you?

hedonist · December 2015

Stop making me think so much today!

Having mentioned ripple-effects a few times before, it applies here too.

Personal level, usually high-apple-pie-in-the-sky hopes. Actually, also on that me and mine level - how we treat each other and strangers. How we treat ourselves and our cats and neighbors and immediate environment. I wish that is / might be enough to spiral out but if not, it's still enough for and within our little world. Could go in the positive or not, maybe just meander.

Still tried, goddammit!

On the further level, as shit actually does spiral out, in the end-game? Probably quite a way off timewise, but not too hopeful about when it goes down.

jeffbr · December 2015

Interesting topic, Brian! I feel much the same as you. I have some hope for my community, but can see it changing for the worse. I have little hope for my country - politics, polarization, and $$$ have replaced common sense and decency. I hope for my kids' sake and their future kids that something will turn it around, but I don't see any turnaround happening in my lifetime, and whatever happens with the 2016 elections, we'll be worse off. I also have even less hope for the world, and am starting to care less and less about what happens far away from me, since I can't really even affect change locally, and have no energy to fight the bigger fight. I believe I have changed from an eternal optimist to that curmudgeon you're trying to avoid becoming. I just don't see the hope in humanity some of you do. For the most part people are idiots (worldwide, not country specific), and when the idiots band together bad shit happens. I envy those who do still have hope, and never would have believed that I'd throw in the towel. At this point I'm happy to keep voting (even knowing that it will make not one goddamned bit of difference), and voicing my opinion (whether anyone hears it), but beyond that I've got nothing to offer. I used to spend significant time in the community working to make it better, but money speaks louder than actions these days, so I can't compete. Damn, this sounds so defeatist and negative. In general I am a happy person, but it is my family and friends that bring me joy, not the world in which we live. I've shortened my focus to things I can change, and don't devote much emotional energy to the rest. This is a relatively new phenomenon for me, but I guess it is how I can be happy, yet have such a broadly negative outlook. I don't know if it coincided with turning 50 a few years ago, but I'll leave it to the younger, smarter people to figure out how to get us out of this mess, and apologize to them for my contributions to the mess.

brianlux · December 2015

hedonist said:
Stop making me think so much today!

Having mentioned ripple-effects a few times before, it applies here too.

Personal level, usually high-apple-pie-in-the-sky hopes. Actually, also on that me and mine level - how we treat each other and strangers. How we treat ourselves and our cats and neighbors and immediate environment. I wish that is / might be enough to spiral out but if not, it's still enough for and within our little world. Could go in the positive or not, maybe just meander.

Still tried, goddammit!

On the further level, as shit actually does spiral out, in the end-game? Probably quite a way off timewise, but not too hopeful about when it goes down.

Happy Monday after Christmas, Hedo!

brianlux · December 2015

jeffbr said:
Interesting topic, Brian! I feel much the same as you. I have some hope for my community, but can see it changing for the worse. I have little hope for my country - politics, polarization, and $$$ have replaced common sense and decency. I hope for my kids' sake and their future kids that something will turn it around, but I don't see any turnaround happening in my lifetime, and whatever happens with the 2016 elections, we'll be worse off. I also have even less hope for the world, and am starting to care less and less about what happens far away from me, since I can't really even affect change locally, and have no energy to fight the bigger fight. I believe I have changed from an eternal optimist to that curmudgeon you're trying to avoid becoming. I just don't see the hope in humanity some of you do. For the most part people are idiots (worldwide, not country specific), and when the idiots band together bad shit happens. I envy those who do still have hope, and never would have believed that I'd throw in the towel. At this point I'm happy to keep voting (even knowing that it will make not one goddamned bit of difference), and voicing my opinion (whether anyone hears it), but beyond that I've got nothing to offer. I used to spend significant time in the community working to make it better, but money speaks louder than actions these days, so I can't compete. Damn, this sounds so defeatist and negative. In general I am a happy person, but it is my family and friends that bring me joy, not the world in which we live. I've shortened my focus to things I can change, and don't devote much emotional energy to the rest. This is a relatively new phenomenon for me, but I guess it is how I can be happy, yet have such a broadly negative outlook. I don't know if it coincided with turning 50 a few years ago, but I'll leave it to the younger, smarter people to figure out how to get us out of this mess, and apologize to them for my contributions to the mess.

Well, if it helps any Jeff, your devotion to what is close to you- community, family, friends- sounds like hope.

JWPearl · December 2015

jeffbr said:
Interesting topic, Brian! I feel much the same as you. I have some hope for my community, but can see it changing for the worse. I have little hope for my country - politics, polarization, and $$$ have replaced common sense and decency. I hope for my kids' sake and their future kids that something will turn it around, but I don't see any turnaround happening in my lifetime, and whatever happens with the 2016 elections, we'll be worse off. I also have even less hope for the world, and am starting to care less and less about what happens far away from me, since I can't really even affect change locally, and have no energy to fight the bigger fight. I believe I have changed from an eternal optimist to that curmudgeon you're trying to avoid becoming. I just don't see the hope in humanity some of you do. For the most part people are idiots (worldwide, not country specific), and when the idiots band together bad shit happens. I envy those who do still have hope, and never would have believed that I'd throw in the towel. At this point I'm happy to keep voting (even knowing that it will make not one goddamned bit of difference), and voicing my opinion (whether anyone hears it), but beyond that I've got nothing to offer. I used to spend significant time in the community working to make it better, but money speaks louder than actions these days, so I can't compete. Damn, this sounds so defeatist and negative. In general I am a happy person, but it is my family and friends that bring me joy, not the world in which we live. I've shortened my focus to things I can change, and don't devote much emotional energy to the rest. This is a relatively new phenomenon for me, but I guess it is how I can be happy, yet have such a broadly negative outlook. I don't know if it coincided with turning 50 a few years ago, but I'll leave it to the younger, smarter people to figure out how to get us out of this mess, and apologize to them for my contributions to the mess.

this is beautifully written jeff..
and i say if you are contributing good to your family and anyone surrounding you
and doing whats in your power to help even if it may seem helpless in the world we live in
it all really counts and is noted.. dont forget its the condition of your heart your intention is good
and you are not fighting against those doing the same whether in a small or larger scale
it doesnt matter whether you cant do what you would like to do and someone else could.. it doesnt make them greater but your equal..its quality not quantity..
yes things look hopeless but in honestly its further from the truth with the what the future prospects are...
you should talk to my mum she would make you feel better and open new doors...

Smellyman · December 2015

Not because of the evil fears fox news has their base believe.

There are too many damn people on this planet and growing. It isn't sustainable

PJfanwillneverleave1 · December 2015

There is a spectrum of hope?
No one informed me.
And the young, they can lose hope cause they can't see beyond today,...
The wisdom that the old can't give away.
I have a front row seat with

hedonist · December 2015

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:
There is a spectrum of hope?
No one informed me.
And the young, they can lose hope cause they can't see beyond today,...
The wisdom that the old can't give away.
I have a front row seat with

I thought it was a given, regardless of age.

Or maybe it does fluctuate with and over time.

Or maybe it's me (going with all three options).

Anyway, on the popcorn front, I'm hoping our stash of the white cheddar variety is still around and not stale.

tempo_n_groove · December 2015

brianlux said:

jeffbr said:
Interesting topic, Brian! I feel much the same as you. I have some hope for my community, but can see it changing for the worse. I have little hope for my country - politics, polarization, and $$$ have replaced common sense and decency. I hope for my kids' sake and their future kids that something will turn it around, but I don't see any turnaround happening in my lifetime, and whatever happens with the 2016 elections, we'll be worse off. I also have even less hope for the world, and am starting to care less and less about what happens far away from me, since I can't really even affect change locally, and have no energy to fight the bigger fight. I believe I have changed from an eternal optimist to that curmudgeon you're trying to avoid becoming. I just don't see the hope in humanity some of you do. For the most part people are idiots (worldwide, not country specific), and when the idiots band together bad shit happens. I envy those who do still have hope, and never would have believed that I'd throw in the towel. At this point I'm happy to keep voting (even knowing that it will make not one goddamned bit of difference), and voicing my opinion (whether anyone hears it), but beyond that I've got nothing to offer. I used to spend significant time in the community working to make it better, but money speaks louder than actions these days, so I can't compete. Damn, this sounds so defeatist and negative. In general I am a happy person, but it is my family and friends that bring me joy, not the world in which we live. I've shortened my focus to things I can change, and don't devote much emotional energy to the rest. This is a relatively new phenomenon for me, but I guess it is how I can be happy, yet have such a broadly negative outlook. I don't know if it coincided with turning 50 a few years ago, but I'll leave it to the younger, smarter people to figure out how to get us out of this mess, and apologize to them for my contributions to the mess.
Well, if it helps any Jeff, your devotion to what is close to you- community, family, friends- sounds like hope.

Once you get older your F&F are all you'll ever have so teach them what you can.

eddiec · December 2015

I think in the current state of the human mindset we are doomed. I look at my own country, arguably the leader in the world, and I see such a large portion of its citizens who lack empathy for other human beings. There is way too much selfishness for any worldly deeds to be accomplished. On a whole, people are not ready to give up any comforts even if it would make the world a better place.

But...I believe there is hope in the future but only after we hit absolute rock bottom. Like a bad alcoholic it is only when we have gone as low as humanly possible that we may see the need to change the complete outlook on our existence. What is our rock bottom? I'm not sure but it would definitely be a wide scale disaster that would eradicate a good 80% of the population. Climate change and nuclear war are the first scenarios that come to mind.

SD48277 · December 2015

I always have hope. Am I discouraged? Sure, at times, but always have hope.

brianlux · December 2015

tempo_n_groove said:

brianlux said:

jeffbr said:
Interesting topic, Brian! I feel much the same as you. I have some hope for my community, but can see it changing for the worse. I have little hope for my country - politics, polarization, and $$$ have replaced common sense and decency. I hope for my kids' sake and their future kids that something will turn it around, but I don't see any turnaround happening in my lifetime, and whatever happens with the 2016 elections, we'll be worse off. I also have even less hope for the world, and am starting to care less and less about what happens far away from me, since I can't really even affect change locally, and have no energy to fight the bigger fight. I believe I have changed from an eternal optimist to that curmudgeon you're trying to avoid becoming. I just don't see the hope in humanity some of you do. For the most part people are idiots (worldwide, not country specific), and when the idiots band together bad shit happens. I envy those who do still have hope, and never would have believed that I'd throw in the towel. At this point I'm happy to keep voting (even knowing that it will make not one goddamned bit of difference), and voicing my opinion (whether anyone hears it), but beyond that I've got nothing to offer. I used to spend significant time in the community working to make it better, but money speaks louder than actions these days, so I can't compete. Damn, this sounds so defeatist and negative. In general I am a happy person, but it is my family and friends that bring me joy, not the world in which we live. I've shortened my focus to things I can change, and don't devote much emotional energy to the rest. This is a relatively new phenomenon for me, but I guess it is how I can be happy, yet have such a broadly negative outlook. I don't know if it coincided with turning 50 a few years ago, but I'll leave it to the younger, smarter people to figure out how to get us out of this mess, and apologize to them for my contributions to the mess.
Well, if it helps any Jeff, your devotion to what is close to you- community, family, friends- sounds like hope.
Once you get older your F&F are all you'll ever have so teach them what you can.

Being already close to what some may describe as old, I find I know less than ever. I only knew all there is to know when I was an infant. Now it's the young who teach me what I need to know.

HughFreakingDillon · December 2015

community: not that good. the aboriginals in my city are still looked upon as dirt, and there aren't enough programs/initiatives to help them.
country: better now that we got rid of Harper
civilization: almost zero. I think the ratio of people who give a shit to those who don't is getting smaller, but not fast enough. those that care are not the ones in power.
life: fair. I think once we are gone, the planet will once again thrive and be green and blue again.

ldent42 · December 2015

I vote curmudgeon

ldent42 · December 2015

Smellyman said:

Not because of the evil fears fox news has their base believe.

There are too many damn people on this planet and growing. It isn't sustainable

brianlux · December 2015

ldent42 said:

Smellyman said:

Not because of the evil fears fox news has their base believe.

There are too many damn people on this planet and growing. It isn't sustainable

I do my best to remain hopeful yet at the same time I'm digging getting down with this kind of dooooooooooom!

joseph33 · January 2016

Im about the same as the song Gone if that says anything.

brianlux · January 2016

"Lost causes are the only causes worth fighting for."
- Martin Sheen

I'm going to work harder than ever in 2016 to restore hope and life to our battered world. All the sorrowful and pitiful voices of gloom and despair will have no effect other than to encourage me to work even harder. Here's to a better world in 2016!

EdsonNascimento · January 2016

I am extremely hopeful...except we are headed for another Clinton-Bush face off. When will at least one party learn? Anyone voting for either of those choices is extremely stupid.

jeffbr · January 2016

brianlux said:
"Lost causes are the only causes worth fighting for."
- Martin Sheen

I'm going to work harder than ever in 2016 to restore hope and life to our battered world. All the sorrowful and pitiful voices of gloom and despair will have no effect other than to encourage me to work even harder. Here's to a better world in 2016!

OK, Brian, now you've got me thinking. For quite some time I thought you were a card carrying member of Team Curmudgeon. I dont know if I've been reading you wrong or if you've changed your perspective but your posts this evening are encouraging and motivating. I can't commit tonight to following your lead but you've given me food for thought and perhaps a little more hope that we can each make a difference. I'll be kicking back this evening with a little green and some champagne, will flip 2015 the bird, and then figure out how to make 2016 a year of positive change. I can't commit to making a better world, and am not encouraged by the upcoming presidential election, but I can certainly work to better my own situation and better my community. Cheers!

Where are you on the spectrum of hope?

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