why optimistic

[mellowtigger]

I've said several times over the years that I'm still optimistic about the future of humanity, without offering evidence to support that opinion. I still expect things to get worse (by a lot) before they get better, but here are some things I can point toward that convey "the vibe" that I wish others to feel with me.

In reverse chronological order, I recommend viewing these videos in this order:

1. about stopping and rejecting:
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oO5QSjDQRc, "The Great Refusal Has Begun" by The Functional Melancholic
   The first 11 minutes or so are sufficient to convey the sentiment, but there are great quotes farther in too, like "Laziness usually is just a corporate word for a soul who is refusing to be fuel for the machine." Also, "We're starting to realize that the most radical thing you can do in a world that wants to harvest your every waking second is to embrace periods of time where you are fundamentally unapologetically useless. And I know that's not easy because most of us are caught up in this dysfunctional show." And the last 2 minutes. Good stuff.
2. about choosing to choose:
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7Ay73HHHrE, "How to respond to societal collapse | Sarah Wilson | TEDxSydney"
3. about what we're choosing:
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfeRLwlnuHo, "Will the End of Economic Growth Come by Design — or Disaster? | Gaya Herrington | TED "

A portion of the United Nations itself is recommending immediate change. As I've been fond of repeating since the Occupy days, "The Beginning Is Near."