> It's human nature to see the future in a bleak manner. I don't know why this is. I got a different impression - they were either very pessimistic about the f

> It's human nature to see the future in a bleak manner. I don't know why this is. I got a different impression - they were either very pessimistic about the future, or unrealistically optimistic. Either a dystopia or a utopia. I suspect that this is because both of these viewpoints were interesting. The most boring viewpoint would be mediocrity, especially to science fiction writers. Yet, mediocrity is probably the best bet for the future. Some things will get better, others worse, human nature will stay the same as it's always been, and barring catastrophes like worldwide nuclear war, life will go on.