Do you think the world is a better place now than it has been in years, decades, centuries gone by or do you think it isn’t? Been having this discussion with my OH who is an optimist and thinks it is better. I am really not so sure. Was it better before the internet came about? Better before airplanes were invented? What are your thoughts?
I think its a much more dangerous world. Generally people have become more selfish - money and fame rules. There is talk in the papers today of Russia declaring an all out war with Europe/Nato countries. Our forces are severely depleted, so talk on conscription. I doubt very much people will want to fight - so much has changed. Life before the internet was far more social I think. We actually met up more with friends or called them, not emailed or text. People spend so much time now on the internet/gaming etc - not healthy in my opinion
I'm grateful for some miraculous inventions, like in the medical sphere, but honestly I think my jury is out on the level of computerisation .... I have real qualms about AI and the impact that is having/will have moving forward.
I don't think people care as much about others as they used to, maybe that's because the world has opened up digitally and you can easily communicate with someone on the other side of the world but not necessarily know who your own neighbours are.
Difficult to think it's going better ... There was a period we call "les 30 glorieuses" - the Glorious Thirties" postwar welfare period, and more open mindedness and civil rights, but there's no denying a recession since ... maybe 2020 , Covid, war in Ukrain and all. Internet is an essential part of my life ... living proof ? This post !
I was having this discussion with my mum earlier and I know she is of the older generation but I agreed with her about many things being worse. Also acknowledge what Jax said about medical progress, always a good thing. Being in contact with family around the world is a good thing too but the list of things that concern me is quite large.
I feel people in general are less caring about their neighbors, about sharing and about being part of a community. They don't need to be with the world at their finger tips, instant shopping, instant everything.
The types of crime that we now hear about in our cities are frightening, stabbings, shootings, child abuse. The advent of the internet has encouraged self harm, suicide and encouraged anorexia with the types of forums that are out there, not helpful forums but forums of encouragement. Horrendous child abuse that is shared online is sickening and horrific and I feel id it's out there on "the dark web" it encourages more people.
The population of this country alone is the biggest it's ever been. shortage of housing, medical needs and the gap between the haves and the have nots is huge. So called "celebrities" that influence young people all to make money at the end of the day, it's all about business.
I was driving mum somewhere couple of weeks ago, she said when she was a young woman travelling in a car, you may pass another one 5 minutes later! there weren't that many. This is something that bugs me,,cars! the streets are jammed, pavements, driveways with 3 or 4 to a family, it's crazy and this has all happened in just our lifetime.
More young people suffering with some kind of mental health problem, more people not feeling safe to go out. and as mum said, it will never reverse it will just keep growing.
And now I hear several countries want to start mining on the moon! I say they've messed up this world and now want to start p###g about with the moon too!
Sorry, gone on and on but it's people who have messed up this once beautiful planet.
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
So interesting reading all your comments. Here’s a few thoughts of mine on the positive side.
Life expectancy is higher. We have houses with water, gas and electricity and toilets inside our houses. My Mum was born in a house without an inside loo. Central heating. We don’t send children up chimneys anymore. Children now get an education in our countries - not all countries and in particular not girls. We have better quality of food and medicine. Women have the vote. We know what’s going on locally and around the world. Homosexuality is now legal - here in the U.K. at least. We have birth control unlike our great grandmothers who many had a baby every year only to see so many die.
Glad you put the positives LLCC , you needed to,, to balance out my miserable post
I agree with your list, so many things are better.
I've been reading this evening about the UK being drawn into a war and as British citizens we have to "be prepared" I'm aghast at this, it's never the innocent citizens that want war, we all want to live peacefully, it's the governments of the countries of the world that dictate this and the powerful people hide out in their bunkers and let the people perish. It seems however much we move forward in progressive thinking and technology - the power hungry men of the world don't progress and want to fight with each other.
Sorry.. i've done it again
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
Cheap short haul flights were available from the 90s, and that revolutionised holiday travel, and educated the masses with regards to language and culture, we only had 4 TV channels, computers were just becoming available in the work place.
The next 30 years are what's worrying me.
I agree with you re AI Jax, unless AI is totally regulated it has the potential to be developed to become more intelligent than humans. Supermarkets are already using face scanners instead of checking id for alcohol, most jobs will become automated. People will have sensors implanted sending health data to AI systems for diagnosis and management.
Digital after life will become a reality, most economies will be run and managed by AI, none of this is very far away.
With automation, people are going to be having much more 'leisure' time on their hands, how will that be managed and paid for by the governments and the authorities?
Most economies will be dictated and managed by AI and China will become the strongest economy, Apple, Microsoft etc have already started moving their operations to Asia, and it's not just because of the cheap labour, but because of the vast business opportunities offered by these markets. Asia, being the world's largest continent , has approx 60% of the world's population.
Then we have climate change, increasing floods, droughts, rising sea levels, forest fires etc. Continuous forest fires will devastate crop production, which in turn will increase migration and countries will become more nationalist.
There are elections in over 64 countries in 2024, plus the European Union, globally, more voters than ever in history will be heading to the polls this year. Unfortunately not all of the elections will be free or fair, but the results will prove consequential for the coming years, we just have to believe that a better place and time is possible....trouble is, I want it here and I want it now!
I have read everyone's comments and agree with everything said. I seem to think that the world and society are imploding on themselves and fear for our grandchildren.
Short of time sadly to continue, although this is a good thread and clearly we are extremely comfortable in our writing our views of the demise of this planet
Personally, I am very concerned by China. I am concerned that Heathrow airport is not owned by a U.K. company. Neither is Cadbury or Jauguar Landrover. Even Walkers Crisps! Etc, etc, etc. I wonder what Tim Berners-Lee is thinking. So many positives to what he accomplished. If he hadn’t done it then someone else would have.