Prof. Artigiani and I taught a course called "Futures" together. We purposely used the plural since we were aware back in the 1970's that there were several forecasts about what the future would be like. Besides, differing predictions, there were different directions, emphases and subjects. Our university has a college of natural resources so we have many students and faculty too that are interested in the future of the quality of the air, water and soil, as well as the chances that various species will be driven to extinction by expanding human life. We were inspired to create the course by the publication of "The Limits to Growth", a book written by scientists and futurists who basically predicted that the year 2025 would be one in which mankind had bad air, scarce water, exhausted soil, too many people and too much crime.
I see that the Limits to Growth has a "30 year update" by one of the major authors. I am still interested in the problems of our environment and our future so I may take a look at that update. But in the meantime, here are some ideas that might interest optimists, pessimists, environmental activists and others:
Most predictions about the future have in the past been wrong.
Most predictions lack specificity as to when the prediction can be checked for accuracy.
Older people have often seen decay, disruption and death in the future.
It clearly makes sense to clean up our mess, to whatever extent we can.
Individually, we can each be confident of wearing out and passing into the state called "death".
For many people, there seems to be a certain comfort in expecting the worst. It may take more effort and spirit to be upbeat or confident about the future.
Humans are an old species and have survived many challenges in the past. We may be able to do so again.
We have more data, more knowledge and more communication to deal with problems and possibilities than we have ever had before.
Keep in mind that this hour, this day, this life is valuable, beautiful and precious. Avoid getting into too much of an anxious tizzy about things far off and unverified.
My friend emailed me that I might like to watch the TED talks by Hans Rosling, the Swedish professor of data and world statistics. That got me to think of what optimists had previously given me an upbeat. The other day, the only one I could think of is Yuval Harari, author of both "Sapiens" and "Homo Deus". But, probably the first was Ben J. Wattenberg, who wrote, for instance, "The Good News is That the Bad News is Wrong." Hans Rosling, though he died, still lives in his TED talks and other places. You could add Steven Pinker and his "The Better Angels of Our Nature", too.
If I inform you that your hair is on fire, you have received important information that calls for immediate action. We and all living creatures are built to take immediate action against immediate dangers. However, we are all mortal and we are all going to die. But before we collapse in a huddle of tears and woe, give a thought to our creativity, our resolve and our ability to flex.
