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Chris Fox's avatar

Oh, I am not counseling despair and inaction, I'm saying that there are no circumstances right now that justify Smile. Everything is falling apart at once and there are very few things getting better. Yes we absolutely should do all we can to mitigate calamity where we can't stop it and those of us who don't regard cruelty as entertainment should strive to be nice to each other, but optimism? No.

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Steve QJ's avatar

I guess I’d say optimism is a prerequisite for productive action, no? Or at least that you’re more likely to do your best work if you believe that work will succeed.

Looking at the successes of the past is a constant source of encouragement when it comes to social issues. Environmental issues I find it a little more difficult to be chipper about😅

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Chris Fox's avatar

All the social progress since serfdom won't matter a bit if the environment continues on its current path.

Frankly I am glad to be nearing the end of my life because I don't want to live to see what's coming. Yes I do everything I can to prevent it; any money I have left after I shuffle off the coil goes to Loro Parque Fundación and all the donations I make are to wildlife causes. I recycle as much as I can, I'm almost vegetarian, but I think our extinction is going to come from wars of food plunder that get out of hand.

I disagree that optimism is prerequisite for activism. Look at the religious right; they worked for generations toward a world they knew they would not live to see, but which has now arrived. They were determined, We can be too.

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Peaceful Dave's avatar

Life has put me into the hope for the best, but plan for the worst camp. That does not preclude working for the best.

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