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I wouldn't call myself a cynic (I prefer realist), but yeah, in the medium-to-long term I think society as we know it is going to pretty much disintegrate, and
by w0utert 12y ago
I wouldn't call myself a cynic (I prefer realist), but yeah, in the medium-to-long term I think society as we know it is going to pretty much disintegrate, and it won't be pretty. Not because of technological progress by the way, but despite it. There's enough other forces that will ensure rough times in the future: scarcity of resources, (further) concentration of power, collapse of monetary systems, destruction of the middle class in developed economies, environmental pressure and rising inequality in upcoming economies, the list goes on and on. We've had a pretty good run, but looking at the history of mankind over the last few thousand years one would have to be colossally naive to assume this time is different, and everything will only get better for everyone. Especially when this assumption is based on the belief that technology will save us all.
How do you cope? That's easy: you just don't bother too much about it, in the larger context there's not much (if anything) you can do about it anyway, so you might just as well enjoy it while it lasts and make the best out of it. I prefer a nihilistic attitude: on the scale of the universe me, or mankind in general, are pretty much a blip on the radar anyway, and there will be a moment we're done for as a species sooner or later no matter what. No need to get depressed about it, I just take it as a fact.
- digitalengineer 12y agoI suppose you don't have any kids? Simple things start to matter rather quickly if you do.
- w0utert 12y agoI'm not sure if I'm following you. What does having kids change about the future of society as we know it, and how does worrying about this future more because you have kids make your (or their) life better or easier? As a thought experiment, try to imagine you are not living in a modern, safe and developed country, but somewhere in dark africa or some deserted sandbox somewhere. Do you think people there have the same ideas about 'progress', 'technology', and do you think they feel the same about the importance of simple things when they have kids?
- digitalengineer 12y agoMy comment was in regards to your preference for a nihilistic attitude. Having kids will make you think more about your (direct surroundings and) society and it's future. As you said: "we're done for as a species sooner or later no matter what"
- w0utert 12y agoOh I think about these things a lot, just because I prefer a nihilistic, cynic (realistic) world-view does not mean I don't care about people, my surroundings, or anything in general, or that I go around telling people they are doomed and life is futile. On the contrary, I tell them to not worry too much and enjoy life as much as possible. None of the above means I try to convince myself the future will only bring us peace and prosperity for everyone though...
- digitalengineer 12y agoThanks for the explenation. It's often difficult for readers to get ethe entire thought behind a post. This helps.
- deleted 12y ago[deleted]