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Comment by beepbooptheory | Hacker News Reader

Considering the general trajectory of the world, its surprising people want to stay in it longer, but I guess I too have a portion of morbid curiosity to see just how much we keep screwing everything up. To actually witness cities becoming submerged.

Also, if I didn't have to slave away most of my life to survive, if I could live the life I want, I could probably have a full life by 60, with maybe only a few books still left to read. That would be sufficient and good, very few complaints. But with this stuff.. If I gained another 50 expected years, its just that much more work and sacrifice I gotta do to have a chance of retiring!

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> Considering the general trajectory of the world, its surprising people want to stay in it longer

It is a popular myth that the world is getting worse. But by almost every measure of human wellbeing, things are getting better. Yes, climate change is a real problem, but it doesn't mean the end of human wellbeing. Even if we don't manage to slow/reverse climate change with innovation (I believe we will), we will manage to adapt. Climate related deaths continue to decline, despite real climate problems. Despair is not the only option.

I hope you are right! But I am not in despair, I know why these things are happening, what structures and systems cause them (which is in part why I don't personally share your optimism). I think humanity falling from grace and prominence is just as beautiful as us keeping going. It's all just a blip of time in the universe, no need to think about it so selfishly or tragically. Humanity as we know it might just be a moral allegory about energy and language anyway.

The world aint that bad my friend, just a little crazy atm - it'll get better. Hang in there. If you're on this website, you're one of the lucky few that has their needs taken care of and an ability to traverse up Maslow's pyramid.

Besides, shit is just getting interesting. Strap in.

Thank you, I am personally fine, living the life I want within my circumstances, I am not sad. I think it's a little interesting that feeling pessimistic about the course of civilization necessarily means I am in despair. Humans are just one creature on the earth, our fate as a species need not be the determination of an individual's happiness.

Also, I might need to check to see if I have the required income to be eligible for being this site, I might not make the cut...

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