> How do you know at least some of our children are not going to starve, or worse, be forced into warfare over crucial resources?
Of course I can't know that, I have no crystal ball. I'm saying that assuming that we're all doomed is as bad as assuming everything is fine and denying the problem.
> 50s optimism and status quo dropped us into most of the current problems.
I wasn't advocating 50s optimism but rather saying it's an extreme and we've swung to the other extreme, at least on HN. I'm not optimistic about the future but I'm not fatally pessimistic about it either, at least not anymore. Reading comments here is a good way to trigger that fatal pessimism, make you want to quit your job, buy a gun and go live up a mountain.
> It is all fixable but the upheaval is likely going to be massive. We have no idea which form.
Exactly my point. There will be upheaval. We have no idea. And it won't be a magical fun time. But it might not be a hellish nightmare apocalypse either. Just bear that in mind, comment readers. Don't fall into despair about the future.
Don't be optimistic that we'll overcome resource depletion without suffering, be optimistic that our efforts can reduce that suffering. There isn't time to dodge the blow, but we can lessen the severity, and everyone who is capable and willing to support that goal is needed. Seek solutions, teach, enable others to do the same.
I'd like that crystal ball you have. Blind optimism is still blind. Facts are not on our side.
50s optimism and status quo dropped us into most of the current problems. (combined with population boom which has now ended)
The trends as they are now are not reassuring and there seems to be no political will to touch anything meaningful.
It is all fixable but the upheaval is likely going to be massive. We have no idea which form.