What are you optimistic about?

Blisterman

This link was posted in the "Why has Ireland Become so Violent?" Thread.
http://edge.org/q2007/q07_1.html
Where they ask several experts about trends that they feel optimistic about.

There's a lot of negative threads on boards.ie, so let's have a positive one, for a change.

Here's a few things, I personally feel optimistic about:

New greener technologies being invented all the time.

Cars are getting more miles to the gallon. Solar heating, wind power etc, becomeing more widespread and more efficient. Awareness increasing. More money being pumped into research.


The increased exchange of Knowledge

The internet has enabled anyone with access a means to express themselves. Nowadays it is a lot harder for any one entity to have complete control of what information people recieve. There is more freedom of speech nowadays, worldwide than there ever was in history.


The overall trend towards equality.

It's not perfect, and it may never be perfect, but the overall trend is towards equality.
Compared with 100 years ago, there is far less barriers on people, based on sex, race or religion.
The idea, that you are born poor, you die poor, or you're born rich, you die rich, applies a lot less now, than it did then.


Oh, and before anyone else says it. Your ma.

Crumble Froo

the weather people said it might rain tomorrow.

tbh

the easier it becomes to travel, the more people will take on a global perspective. There are no "Irish" problems, "Romanian" problems, there are only problems.

Doctor DooM

I think one of the greatest things this country has achieved is the end of the stranglehold of the Roman Catholic church, and it's emergance as (slightly more free thinking) country. Long may it continue.

Also I am optimistic about Street fighter 4!

Wacker

At the start of the year I told people that the two things I was most looking forward to in 2008 were:

1. Grand Theft Auto IV. I'm fairly obsessive about GTA, having completed San Andreas fourt times, including getting 100% twice. The new one looks soooo awesome.

2. The Dark Knight. I am quite the Batman fan, and I thought Batman Begins was excellent. The Dark Knight is going to blow everyone away, although it will make for sombre viewing now.

LouOB

living a life when exams are not hanging over your head

Archeron

I read over the weekend that Japanese scientists are on the verge of discovering a feed additive that will virtually eliminate the dangerous parts of cow farts, thus helping us cut world carbon emmisions significantly. Yeay!

Duggy747

LouOB wrote: »

living a life when exams are not hanging over your head

I hear that, Renegade! Though the joy of "summer is finally here!" has somewhat vanished.....mah, who cares!

I'm optimistic about most things, through experience I've realised that no matter how bad things may seem at first it can turn things around for the better or make no change to your life whatsoever. One example was not having enough marks to get into 4th year college. Twas gutted at first cuz I wasn't going to see me mates again in Sligo but then I got the job I always wanted to do AND got to move back to Sligo

Plus I'm dying to see Rambo next month....and Cloverfield (Been following that viral marketing that's been drip feeding me information for the past 6 months, bastards!)

connundrum

The fact that there is no such thing as a job for life anymore. I see that as very encouraging as I enjoy a good change every so often. I couldn't imagine (as my dad did) working for one company for 20 odd years for fear that if you left you wouldn't get a job again.

Having just come back from Cape Town (one of the loveliest cities in the world blah blah), I'm actually glad to be home. The freedom of movement that we take for granted is nearly unrivalled.

Dragan

The future

The Hill Billy

I'm optimistic about getting a present on Friday as it will be my birthday.

Reku

Someday I'll die.:)

*crosses fingers that those who believe in reincarceration (yes I meant to use that word, think about it) are wrong*;)

I'm optimistic about getting the college course I want after spending the past few years working.

I'm also optimistic that my screenplay will have my name placed back on the cover page with me having to resort to getting a lawyer.

Mr. CooL ICE

Aside from the fact that I hate my course and have struggled to finish it, nobody (who I know of) who graduated last year started jobs at less than 30K. Therefore, I cannot wait to afford to save up and get rid of my piece of crap car for something that doesn't break down 4 times a year.

Mobile broadband also excites me. Oh, and the new Necrophagist and Cynic albums can't be anything less than pure genius

Maximilian

the level of liquid contained in this drinking receptacle I hold here.

Alter-Ego

Getting baked this evening.
Playing a gig next week.
Going to 2 more gigs in the next 2 weeks.
Getting paid on thursday.

Crumble Froo

LouOB wrote: »

living a life when exams are not hanging over your head

just wait till your boss gives you that first deadline...

BillyoftheBeast

I'm optimistic about the future of technology, specifically cars and game consoles. And my future house and multi-million inheritiance of course.

Earthhorse

Democracy and Capitalism in the West will be of increasing help to the developing world

I am optimistic that capitalism in western countries will allow people to continue to channel their funds toward helping developing nations. I'm also confident that the NGO's involved in such aid are getting better at the delivery of it and will increasingly shift their focus toward long term development and self-stabilising projects for the areas they work in as oppossed to relief.

Though this may abdicate governments of their responsibility in this area I think this will ultimately be a boon to these countries. There will still be a role for government to play, in the form of policy and regulation, but at the practical level the private sector will trump them every time. The Bill and Melinda Gate's Foundation is, potentially, the single greatest force for good in the world today and will hopefully not only raise the bar for development projects but inspire other, like-minded initiatives.

If you want reasons to be optimistic about the developing world now click this link: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/92

Despite our inability to fully resolve the energy crisis life will get better

There's a lot of talk about peak oil, global warming and the environment in general, in the media at the moment and it can be quite hard to separate fact from fiction. Though no expert on the area it seems to me that the problem is an intractable one. Cleaner energy sources are ultimately the most desirable but are too inefficient (and even with improvements will be too inefficient) to compensate for the loss of oil. Likewise, nuclear power does not seem to be a viable long-term solution to the problems we face.

Despite this, I believe our lives will continue to get better. A sacrifice will be required on our part; less television, less internet, less private transport but the pay off will be in the activities we substitute in for the time these used to take up. People will have to step outside and get to know each other again. Local, rather than global, entertainment will be the more sought after good and people will find their communities flourishing again; though they will still have access to a wider bank of online communities than even we have now.

It'll just take a little trimming and pearing, that's all.

Earthhorse

I'm optimistic that the girl I'm going to text over lunch will be able to make it to the party this Saturday and that that party won't be cancelled! Fingers crossed, eh?

david1two3

That pessimism will win out in the end.

Pj!

winning the lotto

zapata

An American Satelite will fall to earth soon and demolish my house (me in the pub at that moment).

Black Swan

That it will rain in Ireland.

watna

I am feeling optimistic in general because in 12 weeks I can leave my horrible job and go travelling!

kevmy

Everything I'm an optimist

Hell I even believe Mayo will win the All Ireland someday. Now theres optimism

Red Hand

Kerry will always be No 1 in Gaelic football in my long long loooonnnngggg lifetime.

Collie D

That I get a reply to my loan application today, by reply I mean a wad of cash instead of a polite no.

briantwin

I'm optimistic about Mary Harney's new exercise regime.
I'm also optimistic that the Irish rugby team wont play like a bunch of steamers during the 6 nations. But actually im more optimisitic about the Mary Harney thing truth be told

the dee

I'm optimistic that I will be accepted for my Aussie visa, be able to pay off my debts and move to Australia by the end of February and not have to be separated from my boyfriend for a long period of time. I'm also optimistic that my parents will help me financially in this endeavour

Crumble Froo

watna wrote: »

I am feeling optimistic in general because in 12 weeks I can leave my horrible job and go travelling!

ooh! only 2 months, 3 weeks and 6 days left! :eek: