Is this as good as it gets?
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I find a lot lately I ask myself why I'm doing X in that vein - why am I watching this youtube video which is adding nothing to my life, etc. I'm not one given to existential crises however long ago accepted this life for what it is live the experiences and redefine myself as a person.
I'm a very serious person.
In truth there are some things we have today it would be quite hard to go without. In the late 70's I was taking photographs with a clunky Zenith SLR camera that didn't even have it's own light meter. Taking video footage of the annual holiday required hiring a clunky video camera from Radio Rentals. Today you can do both with a phone if so desired and probably get better results.
It would be nice to have a time machine to return and experience what we all regard as our personal "as good as it gets" but I want to take today's comfort and utility items to record it.
We are, on average, healthier, more knowledgeable, we enjoy a higher standard of living, we have higher IQs. The world is generally more peaceful, the existing conflicts are causing significantly less casualties (a lower number of people have died in all of the wars in the 21st century than in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 80s).
https://ourworldindata.org/human-development-index/
http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/massacre.html
If you think otherwise, that conclusion is not the result of an objective assessment based on evidence. I would guess the reason why you aren't seeing the truth is one or a mix of the following:
1. Bad personal draws. Life handed you some bad cards and you're extrapolating.
2. Preconceived ideas, which often go hand in hand with prejudice. You've already figured everything out, you're largely immune to the effects of new information/evidence and critical thinking is an alien concept.
3. Depression.
Life is good. If it's not good enough, the problem is not the world around you, it's either you or bad luck.
https://ourworldindata.org/human-development-index/
http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/massacre.html
If you think otherwise, that conclusion is not the result of an objective assessment based on evidence. I would guess the reason why you aren't seeing the truth is one or a mix of the following:
1. Bad personal draws. Life handed you some bad cards and you're extrapolating.
2. Preconceived ideas, which often go hand in hand with prejudice. You've already figured everything out, you're largely immune to the effects of new information/evidence and critical thinking is an alien concept.
3. Depression.
Life is good. If it's not good enough, the problem is not the world around you, it's either you or bad luck.
in the western world, or atleast the uk it was probably easier to get the basics sorted, like house,car,job,partner and have a decent quality of life, and the way house prices have risen over time, i think the period the ops talking about has likely been the best, current and future generations will bare the cost with things like environment etc
Caporegime
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I'm very happy to have been born in 1980. I've seen massive increases in technology, the rise of the internet, I grew up in a much safer world, parents didn't have to struggle to raise me comfortably in a nice big house and I was born late enough to take advantage of medical science with my own health conditions.
Wouldn't like to be born nowadays. I remember a thread a while back about having children and why people choose not to do it.
I don't know if I would like to bring a child into the world at the minute.
Wouldn't like to be born nowadays. I remember a thread a while back about having children and why people choose not to do it.
I don't know if I would like to bring a child into the world at the minute.
Except for Aids.
I was extremely happy in the 80's, life consisted of fast motorbikes, women and the pub! As I get older I find I want less stuff, most of it is completely meaningless. I haven't even started my gaming computer for months, just zero interest in mindless things. I am at the stage where I could quite happily bugger off and live on a smallholding in the middle of nowhere. If I was younger and felt like this the idea of living in a camper van and driving around Europe would certainly appeal.
Its called progress.
Soon we will be able to hand over the running of things to our AI-Overlords and we can concentrate on the important things that matter in life.
Sport-Sex-Art
(not my words but the great I M Banks)
I guess if your in your 20`s its
Sex & Sport
The underlying problem is the world economy and the wealth hoarding that goes on, Until we remove this system yes its going to be tough, but it will change given time. The many will break the few, its just not at that point yet.
Soon we will be able to hand over the running of things to our AI-Overlords and we can concentrate on the important things that matter in life.
Sport-Sex-Art
(not my words but the great I M Banks)
I guess if your in your 20`s its
Sex & Sport
The underlying problem is the world economy and the wealth hoarding that goes on, Until we remove this system yes its going to be tough, but it will change given time. The many will break the few, its just not at that point yet.
It is not. The world before the world wars was a much crueller place, but you are falling victim to the fact that all you see on the news is bad stuff because that's what sells.
The world has never been more peaceful, despite the issues that crop up now and again. Civilisation definitely did not peak in the past.
The world has never been more peaceful, despite the issues that crop up now and again. Civilisation definitely did not peak in the past.
I wonder what the dawn of real AI will herald
Will it widen or reduce the Chasm between rich and poor
I know (in general in UK) my parents generation have had it best but real change is around the corner. For better or worse, I dunno.
It's a bit scary AI I will say
I feel I desire the simple life
A little business, a house by ocean in Cornwall, a few dogs and chickens and my gf.
Will it widen or reduce the Chasm between rich and poor
I know (in general in UK) my parents generation have had it best but real change is around the corner. For better or worse, I dunno.
It's a bit scary AI I will say
I feel I desire the simple life
A little business, a house by ocean in Cornwall, a few dogs and chickens and my gf.
U
Unfortunately I think so too
This is a favourite subject of mine and one that the Film maker Adam Curtis talks a lot about. Not so much in his documentaries but more when he is interviewed. There is a fantastic interview from a few months ago when he talks to Russell Brand on Russell's podcast.
http://www.russellbrand.com/podcasts/skin-russell-brand-ep-3-adam-curtis-really-want-change/#
Adam says we are currently trapped in a static time and although we are surrounded by ever increasing technology nobody has a future vision for the West anymore. I am fascinated by the baby boomer era and how forward looking it was. Born in 1979 I feel like I know two worlds the first was the point up to around 2001 and then there has been the new world since. I guess one could argue it was simply me becoming an adult but i'm not convinced it is just that.
Look at youth culture and fashions, they are all just recycled from the 20th century now. Where are the new movements in music, fashion and ideas that sweep up the youth and capture their imagination?
As a youth it's hard to be part of anything anymore, we are very suspicious of people who are part of non materialistic movements now. Instead you are encouraged to be an individual. Maybe this is part of what we fear about both Islam and nationalism. i.e. people feeling that they are part of something bigger than themselves.
Self obsession and consumerism certainly seem to have made for a more peaceful time but is it a long term strategy for a civilisation? It feels a bit like everyone has been on a holiday the last few years doing whatever they want. Nationalism was always bubbling under in the past but now that has pretty much gone eventually a new common vision needs to emerge or I fear we are in serious trouble of living totally pointless self serving existences.
Sorry that was so much of a brain splurge.
http://www.russellbrand.com/podcasts/skin-russell-brand-ep-3-adam-curtis-really-want-change/#
Adam says we are currently trapped in a static time and although we are surrounded by ever increasing technology nobody has a future vision for the West anymore. I am fascinated by the baby boomer era and how forward looking it was. Born in 1979 I feel like I know two worlds the first was the point up to around 2001 and then there has been the new world since. I guess one could argue it was simply me becoming an adult but i'm not convinced it is just that.
Look at youth culture and fashions, they are all just recycled from the 20th century now. Where are the new movements in music, fashion and ideas that sweep up the youth and capture their imagination?
As a youth it's hard to be part of anything anymore, we are very suspicious of people who are part of non materialistic movements now. Instead you are encouraged to be an individual. Maybe this is part of what we fear about both Islam and nationalism. i.e. people feeling that they are part of something bigger than themselves.
Self obsession and consumerism certainly seem to have made for a more peaceful time but is it a long term strategy for a civilisation? It feels a bit like everyone has been on a holiday the last few years doing whatever they want. Nationalism was always bubbling under in the past but now that has pretty much gone eventually a new common vision needs to emerge or I fear we are in serious trouble of living totally pointless self serving existences.
Sorry that was so much of a brain splurge.
We know what happened the last time someone tried that
Is that why there are so many people just about managing in this country? So many live paycheque to paycheque.
I think perhaps above all else, we are the "distracted generation". No time to think when you've got to follow your Facebook feed every 5 mins. Oh, did your buddy just have tasty burger at McDonalds? Oh, did he see that reboot of an 80s film?
Kitten videos! Yay!
OcUK forums... bah it's midnight already?
But the stuff we're all engrossed in is highly unreal a lot of the time. Trivial, meaningless, empty... so much time wasted on crap. So many distractions.
And that's how I feel about the last decade or so.
I'm not blaming anybody. I should snap out of it and find some meaning in my life. From somewhere; anywhere. Just one more kitten video...
I saw an article yesterday with the Facebook founder calling for a Universal Basic Income so that people are free to pursue their dreams. Maybe that's the way things are heading with increasing automation and zero hour contracts. You've got to admit unemployment throughout Europe and the number of people living out of foodbanks today is a disgrace.
