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Topic: What are people hoping for?
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ReeferMadness
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2743
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posted 21 April 2004 01:05 AM
Wow, what a depressing thread!I just finished reading War by Gwynne Dyer. It's a high level history of civilization showing how inextricably linked are the state and war. I had to reflect on how horrible things have been at specific times and places (think Mongolia in the time of Genghis Kahn when there was a genocide of 40 million(!!!) people). I couldn't help but think what a lottery I won by being born healthy in Canada. There are lots of reasons to believe that humanity may destroy itself. But there is also lots of reason for hope. Chins up!!
From: Way out there | Registered: Jun 2002
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clersal
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 370
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posted 21 April 2004 01:15 AM
I don't see hope in my kids either. They live opposed lifestyles but love the gadgets of life.
They are consumers. They don't walk in peace marches or support strikes unless it involves their union.They yap a lot about Iran and Iraq. Throw out democracy a lot when they are talking on their cell phones. The cell phones that ring when someone is in a restaurant. The phone call was urgent???? We have so many gadgets it makes my head spin. I don't think they hope they just want.
From: Canton Marchand, Québec | Registered: Apr 2001
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Hawkins
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3306
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posted 21 April 2004 02:18 AM
Maybe its cause everyone is telling them they don't have any hopes and dreams that they are falling into the trap of consumerisms. Ever thought the negativity is the source and if not that an aid to the "decline in the generation" (if there is one).People are pessimistic because they are told to be and everyone just plays along. Then who is anyone to judge "hope" since no one could give a real definition for anyone else - maybe there is a new type of "hope" that is unidentifiable. Things can go any which way and to even suggest a negative image only strengthens that image to those who are subjegated to that image. Yes things go take a "turn for the worst" at any point - but they can go the other way and if anyone has any "hope" then they should be dropping the pessimism about this "generation" and start focusing on the positives. Maybe we should stop calling teenagers consumers because after all thats what the corporation wants us to think, whether we like the notion or not.
From: Burlington Ont | Registered: Nov 2002
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nonsuch
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1402
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posted 21 April 2004 10:42 AM
quote:
Originally posted by clockwork:
Define faith.
Here is what Desmond Tutu said when asked about fear:
"I say to The Lord, 'Look, if You want me to do Your work, You jolly well have to protect me.'"
That's the best definition of religious faith i've ever heard.
One might have an equally irrational and invincible faith in Luck, Humanity, Evolution, Revolution, Mother Nature, Socialism, Synchronicity, the Borg or the Universe Unfolding as It Should. (unravelling?)
From: coming and going | Registered: Sep 2001
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Loony Bin
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4996
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posted 21 April 2004 11:36 AM
I hope that the world will start to realize that evil is not in people, but in deeds and words, and that any person can choose to be good or evil in their actions. I hope people start to really understand the meaning behind the words 'love conquers all', and that waging war to stop war is the most futile and destructive use of our people, our time, and our precious resources. I hope people start to understand that they can't drive their cars everywhere they go, and that they can't have meat at every meal, and that they can't buy every plastic object that happens to catch their eye. I hope we can wean ourselves off of non-renewable resources, stop destroying the planet to facilitate the destruction of the atmosphere, and start using renewable energy responsibly and thoughtfully. I hope people start to think about the three R's of environmental responsibility again. Remember them? They used to be something of a code of conduct for many...Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - and compost the Rest. I really hope that people quit buying single-use individually wrapped disposable items and that they go away forever. I hope we can find a new balance for living wherein people can work at what they like to do, earn a fair wage, and still have time, energy and resources to put towards having full, happy, human lives and strong families and friendships.
From: solitary confinement | Registered: Feb 2004
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oldgoat
Moderator
Babbler # 1130
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posted 22 April 2004 04:04 PM
quote:
Originally posted by clockwork:
Define faith.
Clockwork, I had faith that someday you would return to posting on babble. Thankyou, and nice to see you again.
I think it was St. Paul who said that faith was a gift from God. If that's the case, I guess it's a gift I have yet to unwrap. Of course I've never been thrown from a horse and struck blind while on the road to Damascus, but I have had my bumps along the way. Through it all, I remain resolutely the Captain of my own putative soul. What I have managed to retain is an optimism that defies logic given the world around me.* When I try to analyse the roots of such an apparently unfounded optimism, I assume it has to do with some mysterious combination of nature and nurture. Such wantwit optimism makes of me that I have much ado to know myself However, I don't always need to analyse things in order to experience and enjoy them, and often I guess it's best not to. *some days it wavers a lot.
From: The 10th circle | Registered: Jul 2001
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Hawkins
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3306
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posted 22 April 2004 07:34 PM
What I mean to imply is that society at best is just reinforcing what it creates - consumers. By saying youth don't have any "hopes" or that they are grounded in consumerism does little to solve the problem and I would argue actually makes it worse.We are just reinforcing a social stereotype of expected behaviour. I think a little reading into Stace would help - as I think we are trying to change things negatively, and not through positive motiviation. The negative attitude there exists between generations has only made a culture inwhich is more suseptable to the commercial ideology. Saying the youth has in general no "hopes" and are just little consumers is in part the problem.
From: Burlington Ont | Registered: Nov 2002
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