To think we are doomed and there's no way back now?

[StellaGibson118]

We have constructed a society that doesn't work for people. People are burnt out from overworking, many are getting poorer year on year, services cant meet the demands of the population, we are becoming nastier due to these stressors and the influence of social media/the media, and well the planet is fucked too.

We have moved so far away from simplicity that we have descended into chaos and it isn't just the UK, it's all around the world. I'm worried for my children's future but I can only allow myself to think about it for a minute or two or I'd go mad.

@PoleFairy

YANBU to feel that way. It's tough at the moment but as others have said, there must be generations and generations before us who have felt the same.

I remember during the first lockdown I felt exactly the same and then I read a book called Dear Mrs Bird. It wasnt a groundbreaking book or anything, just a bit of fluff but it was set in London during the blitz and two young women were working in the day and volunteering as firefighter dispatches at night. It really made me realise that our "everyday life" before covid was a real prolonged period of luxury. We didnt have any huge worries and dangers. Theres peaks and troughs and we are in what seems a very deep trough at the moment. In 100 years time there will be something else and the last few years will become those peoples time to look back on and think "wow they had it bad then too"

I’d recommend the sequel if you haven’t read it.

Yours cheerfully. It’s as good if not better than Dear Mrs Bird.

Yep. It's depressing. As a PP said I'm trying to find small things I can do locally to make some sort of difference but... yeah it's not working. Have been reading a lot around Degrowth which I'm finding really interesting. Also a book called Millenials: The Burnout Generation which is linked. Essentially ideas around that fact there needs to be some big structural change... how that would be effected Im not entirely clear though, it feels impossible

Good point, @PoleFairy

Mareas I am talking about. Compared to century’s before. Most people were comfortable with warm homes and food to eat and no major wars to deal with. Life expectancy is higher than ever.
Talking about things like homophibia. And queuing is rathe petty. Try living in medieval England and you would soon be rushing back to the 70s

@olivehater

Mareas I am talking about. Compared to century’s before. Most people were comfortable with warm homes and food to eat and no major wars to deal with. Life expectancy is higher than ever. Talking about things like homophibia. And queuing is rathe petty. Try living in medieval England and you would soon be rushing back to the 70s

Yes, that's true indeed (I'm a History teacher!) I was responding to the oft repeated remark about things being so much easier in the 70s and 80s for the so called Boomers. I think we've been fortunate in this era not to live without a world war.

Since the beginning of time the fittest survive and the weak perish. Just make sure you are the fittest and you will be fine.

Unfortunately we are all only one lump away from suddenly becoming the weakest.

For the duration of treatment at least - is it really right to accept that survivable cancer diagnoses should become death sentences if hospitals becone unsafe?

@Xenia

Since the beginning of time the fittest survive and the weak perish. Just make sure you are the fittest and you will be fine.

Indeed. Also get rich enough to buy your own space rocket.

@Xenia

Since the beginning of time the fittest survive and the weak perish. Just make sure you are the fittest and you will be fine.

As a Biologist, I take issue with this rather simple take on Natural Selection applied in a social context. As Darwin noted in The Descent of Man, and has been observed many times since by biologists of all creeds out in the field, cooperation between individuals is vital for survival. This holds particularly true for social animals such as ourselves.

"Moved so far away from simplicity"

I was in a city this week
There were posters suggesting;

1. wear masks due to covid - not many people were wearing masks, why not ?
2. stop using your phone for a moment & look around you - this is about the basics; look, listen, smell
3. report abuse of disabled blue badges

It has made me think what times we live in now !

Would I want to live in the past, no
I am someone who also enjoys history & reading

To the Op, find some local, National or international causes to support

I am still an optimist & things will get better

Cant remember who wrote this

My granddad, viewing earth's worn cogs,
Said things were going to the dogs;
His granddad in his house of logs,
Said things were going to the dogs;
His granddad in the Flemish bogs.
Said things were going to the dogs;
His granddad in his old skin togs,
Said things were going to the dogs;
There's one thing that I have to state –
The dogs have had a good long wait.

Max Ehrmann

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.