I had a disagreement today with my assistant, an otherwise admirable woman who is a Trumper and claims that the vaccine against Covid kills far more people than it saves and that the entire United States government, including the CDC, and the thousands of people who worked to develop the vaccines are all lying and all—ALL!—part of a plot to disable and destroy Americans. Faced with that kind of “ knowledge “ i am speechless.
This is what we are up against and I’d like to think it’s a minority of people in the world today but it seems to be an incurable condition spreading like a plague. I’m as worried as I’m dumbfounded.
Today the first cause of worldwide insanity is most likely Global Warming. It's a far more powerful trigger than the "Atomic" one back in the 50s. I'm 2 years older than you, but I very well recall the dread we kids felt. It was low level but constant. Even when I read 1984 sometime around 1960, I was sure we would never make it another 24 years. But there were only ever 2 atom bombs used in war, both by us against Japan. That's it. Done.
Global Warming is entirely different. We know, can even feel and see it's effects already. It's a present catastrophe and a threat of future destruction of all human life. Despites claims that it doesn't exist, NO ONE can deny it late at night when they can't stop thinking about right now, the blazing conflagrations in LA, Midwest floods, tornadoes, or Arctic blasts in Florida. It's a global experience that makes everyone a little crazy, and many folks tumble off the deep end. More and more school shootings. People driving into crowds. There will never be enough pylons or school guards.
I’m optimistic about me. I’ve had a great life. I’m pessimistic about life on earth. I think you’re on to something with the psychological impacts of global warming. I’d add over population as well.
You wrote: "Will AI eventually evolve into the savior of mankind........."
There is no savior coming. Humanity can not count on any deus ex machina. It's all on us.
I had a disagreement today with my assistant, an otherwise admirable woman who is a Trumper and claims that the vaccine against Covid kills far more people than it saves and that the entire United States government, including the CDC, and the thousands of people who worked to develop the vaccines are all lying and all—ALL!—part of a plot to disable and destroy Americans. Faced with that kind of “ knowledge “ i am speechless.
This is what we are up against and I’d like to think it’s a minority of people in the world today but it seems to be an incurable condition spreading like a plague. I’m as worried as I’m dumbfounded.
Peter,
Today the first cause of worldwide insanity is most likely Global Warming. It's a far more powerful trigger than the "Atomic" one back in the 50s. I'm 2 years older than you, but I very well recall the dread we kids felt. It was low level but constant. Even when I read 1984 sometime around 1960, I was sure we would never make it another 24 years. But there were only ever 2 atom bombs used in war, both by us against Japan. That's it. Done.
Global Warming is entirely different. We know, can even feel and see it's effects already. It's a present catastrophe and a threat of future destruction of all human life. Despites claims that it doesn't exist, NO ONE can deny it late at night when they can't stop thinking about right now, the blazing conflagrations in LA, Midwest floods, tornadoes, or Arctic blasts in Florida. It's a global experience that makes everyone a little crazy, and many folks tumble off the deep end. More and more school shootings. People driving into crowds. There will never be enough pylons or school guards.
What will come first, starvation or slaughter?
I’m optimistic about me. I’ve had a great life. I’m pessimistic about life on earth. I think you’re on to something with the psychological impacts of global warming. I’d add over population as well.