What's the one thing you'd like to see happening during your lifetime?

[aurynne]

Following on from a chat with a friend the other day, we were discussing climate change, and war, and politics, and trying to solve the World problems over a coffee. During the conversation, we also acknowledged how privileged and fortunately we both were, two women born and living in countries where we had choices, freedom, food and clean water.

Late in the convo, we talked about one thing each that we would really like to see happen before we die.

For me, it would be finding life in another planet. Nothing would make me happier and more fulfilled than the news of a life form found outside of Earth, even if it is just a microbe. Complex life would be astounding and awe-inspiring beyond belief. Knowing we are not alone, and that the Universe may be teeming with life, would fill me with joy, and perhaps reduce a bit the despair I feel about humans destroying this planet.

What would you like to see happen within your lifetime?

I'd really love to see the hatred toward women just be gone and societies all over the world want to include/listen to/applaud the female point of view. I honestly think that if women were not hated/beaten/aborted/feared the world would be a much nicer place for everyone - including men. No idea how to do this though as it seems so pervasive.

Scottish independence.
A solution to climate change.
Long jail sentences for animal cruelty.

Peace, continued peace in Northern Ireland. Ultimately re-unification (when everyone is ready financially, politically, socially).
May not be my lifetime 😔

Gender equality - not just in law but executed in real live in our society. Women no more held to higher standards. It being normal for men to parent and carrying their 50% of emotional labour. No gender stereotypes that keep people in boxes. Equal pay. Equal opportunities. Gender is not the factor how kids get divided into separate schools but it's organised by interests/passions.

The disappearance of the Daily Mail and BBC News.

This is obviously assuming that the following are givens:

• establishment of world peace

• climate change and the global population explosion being halted. Unless the human race becomes extinct (which is looking more and more likely the way we're going, I don't think climate change can be reversed now. Let's just hope it's not too late for the planet. In the long term humanity is irrelevant.).

• free energy and clean water being available to all

• establishment of some kind of barter system to meet people's needs that relied on actual skills not pieces of tin, laminated paper and electronic impulses

• people being rewarded appropriately for their contribution to society, not who they know and their ability to sell stuff we don't need

• people understanding the long-term consequences of their actions (along the lines of Native American seven generations sustainability)

• the human race rediscovering its one existing collective brain cell...I'm fairly sure there's intelligent life on other planets, or at least sentient. There's not much intelligent life on this one these days though....no wonder the aliens haven't landed and come to save us, I reckon there's an invisible "Avoid, avoid, avoid" sign just next to the Planet Earth intergalactic bypass. ..

The end of misogyny. This, plus racism.

And a safe, affordable, accessible roof over every person in the world.

@peanutbutterkid I am going to recommend you to read the amazing short story "The End of the Whole Mess", by Stephen King. It's published as part of a book of short stories called "Nightmares & Dreamscapes". Based on your wish, I think you will love it.

I am very heartened by reading how many PPs are wishing for an euthanasia law to be passed.

Also, for the couple of PPs who have questioned others' wishes: this is a thread to share what you wish, not to be attacked/questioned on it, let's please keep it friendly and respectful :)

Cure for the non-lifestyle-related cancers
(Of course, I'd like a cure for all cancers, but a cure for the ones that aren't contributed to by lifestyle is a more worthy cause to start with)

The cancer patient who has spent a lifetime smoking, drinking and taking drugs could be:

• simply reckless
• have an addictive personality which most of us would struggle to overcome
• have used those things to mask mental/physical illness
• have had chaotic/abusive childhoods and relationships so used those things as a form of escape

Or maybe they would have developed cancer anyway even if they'd lived a clean life.

How could you possibly decide who is worthy and who isn't?

How could you possibly decide who is worthy and who isn't?

Well, children who develop cancer at a very young age to start with of course.

I just think that if we have limited resources (research etc) then we should concentrate more on people who've not contributed to their own misfortune in any way.

I'd like to see more research on Leukemia, Myeloma, etc (blood cell cancers with no underlying "cause") rather than the usually self inflicted lung cancer if we don't have enough scientists etc to do both.

The UK to be back in the EU and the racism that brought us Brexit to be out of power.
Polio to be eradicated.

Both of which are realistic goals for this decade.

I just think that if we have limited resources (research etc) then we should concentrate more on people who've not contributed to their own misfortune in any way.

But for adults you can't possibly know if those who have seemingly "contributed to their own misfortune" have done so because of the pressures of things beyond their control.

Definitely assisted dying. We treat our pets with more dignity and this is something that I hope will change within my lifetime. I hope it will change within the next 10 years.

I also go with finding life on other planets, it would be mind bogglingly spectacular to know that we are not on our own in the universe - in my own mind I am confident that we're not the only ones but oh to have proof!

A complete ban on smoking in public. I hate coming through the smoke fog outside the supermarket etc. I think that's realistic and for shops not to sell them. Black market yourself to death if you want, but it shouldn't be sold or tolerated.

Before anyone says anything about alcohol then that I think is a bigger issue. Pubs more becoming restaurants is the first step, and more diversity ( as in certain cultures don't drink, or drink in the same way as Brits) which has happened. But there needs to a culture other than get pissed. I'm not a big drinker, I probably have something 3 times a year if that. I have been a daily drinker, so I know generally it's a crutch, so mental health support would be a better approach. In that I mean looking after yourself and having self confidence. Inner power is important.

Definitely assisted dying. We treat our pets with more dignity and this is something that I hope will change within my lifetime. I hope it will change within the next 10 years.

Totally agree. I had to have my old Labrador put to sleep a couple of months ago. She was treated with far more compassion, respect and dignity than my 87 year old dad was when he died from lung cancer (not self-inflicted ..) a few years ago. He actually asked the drs to 'put him down' rather than let things drag on. But no - better to let him spend his last couple of weeks in a noisy, chaotic hospital, in pain and despair, unable to feed himself. Horrific.

@Kazzyhoward For the sake of my wonderful step mil, who has never smoked a cigarette in her life (along with 21% of lung cancer cases in the UK) and is hoping against hope that she gets to see another Christmas before the tumour in her lung kills her, I hope you never get your wish.

The end of plastic production.

Cure for cancer and that all congenital heart defects are easily and successfully rectified.

Scotland to be an independent country.

@tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz I am glad you enjoyed it! Massive rabbit hole. 🐇Terrifying stuff but I can't think of any explanation other than the ones in the article!

@AfterSchoolWorry autism doesn't need to be "cured". But thanks.

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll because religion has caused much, much more unneccessary suffering on Earth than anything else, so overall humanity would benefit enormously from the end of belief in the variety of sky fairies.

As for Machester United, that was clearly a joke.

Close the loophole meaning big business can avoid paying tax in this country.
Legalised cannabis.
Reduce rail and bus fares.
Increase national minimum wage to a living wage.

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll because religion has caused much, much more unneccessary suffering on Earth than anything else, so overall humanity would benefit enormously from the end of belief in the variety of sky fairies.

It comes down to individual interpretations, though, doesn't it? Lots of good and evil has been done by people claiming all faiths and none throughout history. It's a straw man argument. A majority of the international horrors of history have been caused by powerful white people, so you may as well say that we should exterminate all white people so as to allow the rest to live in peace.

Personally, I don't think people should ever be punished or have rights taken away from them for what they are or believe but only for what they individually do.

An Independent Scotland in the EU.
An end to FGM
Renationalised railways.
Proper provision for children who have SEN, that's appropriate for them.
No self-id legislation.

“I want equality of opportunity.

I want it to be just a likely for a child from a poor council estate to become a high court judge as one from Eton.” This!

I was struggling with how to word this sums it up perfectly.

I’m completely heartbroken at the way the uk currently is wrt equal rights we seem to have stepped back around 40/50 years in how people are being treated and it just makes me so incredibly sad and frustrated.

There’s a lot of other things I want too but this is where it starts I think.

Brexit cancelled or failing that Scottish independence

Return of ACTUAL life sentences

Massively improved conviction rates for rape and dv

“I'd like to see more research on Leukemia, Myeloma, etc (blood cell cancers with no underlying "cause") “
There will be a cause! We just don’t know what it is yet! Targeting research & treatment only to those “worthy” of it is a dangerous slippery slope. Very very few illnesses aren’t in some way connected to how the person lives. Do YOU live perfectly? Only eat organic, locally sourced plants? Don’t smoke or drink alcohol EVER? Don’t drive or use roads? Live in a log hut in the middle of nowhere? Don’t use electricity or gas or modern paints etc? Of course not! Don’t be ridiculous!

PLUS research into one illness/condition very often provides the answers to dealing with another. Many medical discoveries occurred as a result of research into other things, sometimes not even medical things!

Several medications came about from attempts to create meds for other conditions or it was accidentally discovered they treated other things too.

To narrow focus in the way you suggest isn’t scientific, is short sighted, amoral and illogical.

Even taking cancers with “self inflicted” factors - that’s not the whole story! If it were EVERYONE who used/did that thing would get cancer and they don’t. I’m from a family full of heavy smokers, only one has ever got cancer and it was a type not known to be related to smoking. These factors are one of many usually. Genetic factors, environment, medications they’ve taken, other illnesses they’ve had are also factors.

On a personal note (even though dd now adult and so this wouldn’t actually benefit me) for the cms to actually pull their finger out and do their job including using the sanctions they have available to them - about time they used those teeth!