"...the theory, while it can help us interpret the past, should be jettisoned if it keeps us from expecting something hopeful in the future." Great truth claim.
"A bleak forecast can become less bleak if we factor in the mystery of free will and the likelihood that something unexpected can always happen — even something welcome and good."
I hadn't thought to go from free will to hope, but it's a neat way to say we can't account for all the possibilities, so let's at least be optimists. I tend towards finding more consolation in Shadi's ultimate judgement for the religious, but I like this. It fits nicely in the Faith, Hope, Love trifecta. I mean my hope is in ultimate judgement, but still.
"The doomerism and pessimism that is everywhere around us, more so after the election, might be alleviated by remembering that we are free. "
The majority of Americans got what they wanted. Do you have a problem with that?
We have rapidly expanding totalitarianism in the entire world, in the guise of WEF, the UN, etc. It never was just America. But what short-circuited the totalitarianism is that we can now talk directly with each other. Our 'leaders' tell us what everyone else is thinking, expecting us to follow along. But we're in constant contact with each other, and know better.
Oh, I don't know... There are a lot of low information voters or millions who do not even bother to vote. I would not bet that "totalitarianism is short-circuited" or even that we collectively "know better."
"The majority of dumbed-down Americans got what they wanted... "The gods punish us by granting our prayers."
I think most decent Americans would have nothing to do with someone who dismissed them as dumbed down. However deserving they might be of the description. The Irony is palpable.
Still "Technocrats gonna Technocrat," as the rustbelt boys would say.
Trump was not elected because he was "decent" but because he is "indecent" and promises to destroy things. A majority of Americans voted to raze the current dysfunctional American government without realizing the consequences particularly to those of us most vulnerable.
As for being offended by being labeled as "dumbed down": "If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, (votes like a duck) then it probably is a duck"
Perhaps then you might want to enlighten us about what it is you're attempting to communicate. I have no idea what you're attempting to say. Sure, history doesn't repeat itself, but as Mark Twain noted: "History doesn't repeat itself but it does rhyme." We have been here before so we shouldn't be in the dark.
Optimism can be used as a means of denial. Trump has told us what he will do and is assembling the team to do so. It is time to face reality and begin some serious loin-girding.
"Optimistic and pessimistic thinking are at the ends of a spectrum. And the midpoint is realism. Realistic optimists also have a specific way of looking at the world. If you think this way, you’re more likely to be cautiously hopeful for good outcomes, but this hope doesn’t keep you from taking the necessary steps to achieve your goals.
"...the theory, while it can help us interpret the past, should be jettisoned if it keeps us from expecting something hopeful in the future." Great truth claim.
"A bleak forecast can become less bleak if we factor in the mystery of free will and the likelihood that something unexpected can always happen — even something welcome and good."
I hadn't thought to go from free will to hope, but it's a neat way to say we can't account for all the possibilities, so let's at least be optimists. I tend towards finding more consolation in Shadi's ultimate judgement for the religious, but I like this. It fits nicely in the Faith, Hope, Love trifecta. I mean my hope is in ultimate judgement, but still.
"after Colombians elected the socialist **Gustavo Petro** as president". Francia Márquez is the VP.
Thanks for catching that
"The doomerism and pessimism that is everywhere around us, more so after the election, might be alleviated by remembering that we are free. "
The majority of Americans got what they wanted. Do you have a problem with that?
We have rapidly expanding totalitarianism in the entire world, in the guise of WEF, the UN, etc. It never was just America. But what short-circuited the totalitarianism is that we can now talk directly with each other. Our 'leaders' tell us what everyone else is thinking, expecting us to follow along. But we're in constant contact with each other, and know better.
Oh, I don't know... There are a lot of low information voters or millions who do not even bother to vote. I would not bet that "totalitarianism is short-circuited" or even that we collectively "know better."
"The majority of dumbed-down Americans got what they wanted... "The gods punish us by granting our prayers."
I think most decent Americans would have nothing to do with someone who dismissed them as dumbed down. However deserving they might be of the description. The Irony is palpable.
Still "Technocrats gonna Technocrat," as the rustbelt boys would say.
Trump was not elected because he was "decent" but because he is "indecent" and promises to destroy things. A majority of Americans voted to raze the current dysfunctional American government without realizing the consequences particularly to those of us most vulnerable.
As for being offended by being labeled as "dumbed down": "If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, (votes like a duck) then it probably is a duck"
I wasn't calling Trump decent and I'm sorry you feel vulnerable. I'm happy to take this offline if you want to share your story.
Perhaps then you might want to enlighten us about what it is you're attempting to communicate. I have no idea what you're attempting to say. Sure, history doesn't repeat itself, but as Mark Twain noted: "History doesn't repeat itself but it does rhyme." We have been here before so we shouldn't be in the dark.
Optimism can be used as a means of denial. Trump has told us what he will do and is assembling the team to do so. It is time to face reality and begin some serious loin-girding.
"Optimistic and pessimistic thinking are at the ends of a spectrum. And the midpoint is realism. Realistic optimists also have a specific way of looking at the world. If you think this way, you’re more likely to be cautiously hopeful for good outcomes, but this hope doesn’t keep you from taking the necessary steps to achieve your goals.
When you focus on realistic thinking, you’re prioritizing reality, which can help you understand situations you’re in instead of being greatly disappointed or fooling yourself." https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/why-realistic-thinking-better-optimistic-thinking