what happened to the future?

[K8]

Possibly, but I was more thinking about the increasing failure of people with what we refer to as white skin, simply not producing enough children.

Reproduction isn't a race to see who can use up all of the world's resources first.  We are quickly approaching the carrying capacity of the Earth.

It has been demonstrated over and over that birth rates go down when women have the right to say no, when birth control is readily available, when women have educational opportunities, and when there is a social safety net – usually government-provided – to take care of people in their old age instead of needing to rely on progeny.  European societies have already reached that point and most other societies are moving in that direction.  The question is whether as a species we will get there soon enough to make a difference.

If any species exceeds its environment's carrying capacity, there is a mass die-off to well below the carrying capacity.  I'm old enough that I may die of natural causes before the human die-off, but I'd like to think that if enough of us work toward controlling population that we as a species won't have to reach that cataclysm.

The future is in our hands.

- Kate

[tekla]

We are quickly approaching the carrying capacity of the Earth.

The carrying capacity of this planet depends on both numbers, as well as appetites - and we do a poor job controlling either.


In Pakistan at the moment the future is: can my family and I live under a tarp in polluted water while the world ignores me.
You know who cares even less than the world?  The government of Pakistan.

[spacial]

Reproduction isn't a race to see who can use up all of the world's resources first.  We are quickly approaching the carrying capacity of the Earth.

It has been demonstrated over and over that birth rates go down when women have the right to say no, when birth control is readily available, when women have educational opportunities, and when there is a social safety net – usually government-provided – to take care of people in their old age instead of needing to rely on progeny.  European societies have already reached that point and most other societies are moving in that direction.  The question is whether as a species we will get there soon enough to make a difference.

If any species exceeds its environment's carrying capacity, there is a mass die-off to well below the carrying capacity.  I'm old enough that I may die of natural causes before the human die-off, but I'd like to think that if enough of us work toward controlling population that we as a species won't have to reach that cataclysm.

The future is in our hands.

- Kate

I won't argue the notion of the capacity of the earth.

I won't argue either with the need for birth control, though the reason many people have so many children is to have someone to care for them in their old age.  This was traditional in western societies in the past, as much as it is now in the rest of the world.

I also totally accept that reporduction isn't a race, nor should it be.

I was making the point that, because the average issue in western countries is so low, decline is inevatable. With decline, the predominant culture in the world will almost certainly shift and priorities with it.

If you follow this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_birth_rate

The first, predominantly European country to figure on the list is Israel.

It's just an observation, not a judgement. Since I won't be around in a few hundred years it really is none of my concern.

[rylielove]

Wow, this thread got pretty interesting...  I really can't believe how negative some of you are on this site about things, I don't want to go with any specific people but for one to say not transition?!?! That's exactly what I need to hear right now, thanks

But I see that some of you did understand my post and that makes me smile .  That we need to think positive and have creativity for the future... the future is what we make it... those of you that perpetuate this bleak future, I'm sorry for you... its like you've given up on trying to be positive

The point is asking the question, why can't we be positive?  Lots of you actually gave me reasons... the correct answer is to see that there is no reason not to see a bright future

(Yes maybe this didn't belong in "transexual talk" but figured there'd be a better audience, and its kinda about transition)

[rejennyrated]

Wow, this thread got pretty interesting...  I really can't believe how negative some of you are on this site about things, I don't want to go with any specific people but for one to say not transition?!?! That's exactly what I need to hear right now, thanks

Ummm - I think you are probably referring to me - but I don't want you to misunderstand me so please allow me to clarify and point out that I absolutely did NOT say DONT transition. I said I am not sure IF I would do so, a subtle difference I know, but a difference never the less. I was talking about my personal feelings, not offering advice to others. Basically trying to use it as a way to emphasise the strength of my own feelings of extreme frustration at what I see as humanities current failure to grasp the obvious fact that we can not go on piling more and more people into a fixed size planet, and that if we do not actually put more effort and determination into solving the energy problem then the consequences would be unthinkable.

It just worries me that so many people seem to have their heads in the sand.

As far as whether I am negative though, to that I would answer not guilty. I do think it is important not to duck the tough realities, but ask me if I think that we CAN overcome these problems and you would get a different answer. Of course we can.

I think the human race is incredibly resourceful and when we apply ourselves to solving problems there is very little that we can not accomplish. The only problem is that all too often we waste far to long trying to avoid the issue before we finally get to grips with actually solving it.

Do I think we will ultimately overcome the challenge? YES! but there can be little doubt that we do have a challenge to face.

Is my view of the future bleak. NO absolutely not. However I do think that to have a bright future We have to face and overcome challenges. We have to put in the hard work and solve the problems, not run away from them. If we do that then the future will be bright. My concern is that at the moment too many people either think that the problems do not exist, or else they think that we should give up on technology and go back to a pre scientific age where ignorance and superstition ruled.

Both views are mistaken. The way to a bright future is a realistic and determined view of the challenges of the present and the application of our considerable knowledge and technology to finding solutions.

[Sandy]

Hello, I just teleported in from Iowa after watching the big Heinliner take off.  Traffic was terrible!  It took almost thirteen seconds to re-materialize!

Have I missed anything?

-Sandy(I *am* a stranger in a strange land!)

[Flan]

Have I missed anything?

Not really

[lisagurl]

What happened to the future?

Too many people had children. There is not enough resources to support 6.7 billion people. Not to worry it can support about 3 billion. Those 3 billion will have a much better quality of life. As for everyone else nature has a way of cleaning house. Just think not living is just the same as not being born, nothing to fear. Every goes through it an I have yet to hear anyone complain about the experience.

[Alyx.]

"We are all interested in the future, for that is where we will spend the rest of our lives."

[Alyssa M.]

Today the future is zombie apacalypses, nuclear winters, global warming, 2012, y2k... what happened?  Why do I have to constantly think I won't be around in the future... that the world is going to end before I'm ever a girl?

Y2K is certain to destroy the world.

[Pica Pica]

"We are all interested in the future, for that is where we will spend the rest of our lives."

http://www.badmovies.org/movies/plannine/plannine1.wav

[Cruelladeville]

Well do you want the sanitized FOX/CNN/SKY version of reality Rylie.....

Well do yah... and are yah felling lucky kid?...lol

(In which case you can believe Obama's the 2nd saviour, the economy will be shortly turning gold again...perpetual oil and fossil fuels are our god given right... and exponential population growth going on, and on and on... ever upwards to an infinite level will be all just fine and dandy)

Or you can read these two books and wise up fast....to what unravelling.....

http://www.energybulletin.net/node/53860
http://www.naomiklein.org/shock-doctrine

There will always have been transgender people by the way... they were written about in Red Indian culture and highly respected by the tribe too in fact....

They managed to find a way through....even with basic nomadic technology...

But the future is not what we baby boomers are gonna leave behind for you generation X & Y'rs....

No baby....its gonna be what you personally do about it....??

(simples)

[darklady]

The age of reason will come back probably after people have again learnt the hard way where the other option leads. (This is optimism.)

[lilacwoman]

I have to say that I will be very surprised if I can sit down to a nice lunch and watch the 2013 New Years Day Concert from Vienna.
When I first heard about the Mayans and their 2012 thing I laughed but I'm not laughing now.

[Cruelladeville]

I'm with Brian re the Mayans... and will be enjoying several more decades for sure...defo if living in a small population mineral assets ladden state...lol



There will be an asteroid coming around 2029...the ruskies are plannig to hit it with a rocket...no joke!

[Shynoir]

What happened to the future?  It used to be all about hover skateboards, flying cars, living on the moon... the future was bright and exciting, we didn't know what to expect but we were excited and had positive creativity.

Today the future is zombie apacalypses, nuclear winters, global warming, 2012, y2k... what happened?  Why do I have to constantly think I won't be around in the future... that the world is going to end before I'm ever a girl?

Not that I'm some hypocondriac (sp?) but for real do you notice this too? I'm 25 and have my whole life to live still... can we make the future positive again? Pleeeaaaasse?!?!?

I've read through all the responses here, but in the end I thought I'd just respond to the original post 

The future is indeed there and its progressing well in my personal opinion. If you are a computer enthusiast or some one keeps up with the latest hardware you could see the progress made on processors, rams, graphic cards, hard disk capacity and more. I find myself upgrading my systems every year and something like a powerful high-end graphics card that cost over $500 last year is now down to $68 and labeled as an entry level one. I've find questioning myself several times - why upgrade? a new, better version is going to come out the very next year anyway... ~_~

For the hover vehicles to show up we all need to transition from the regular fuel to electric models. In-fact there are several electric cars being released on 2011, its a good step ahead. Next step would be to get rid of the wheels. Then use somewhat of a different source of energy. Well something is bound to happen

I doubt the world is going away any where. Other than a possibility of crisis, natural disasters, and whatnot. I'm sure the planet is still going to be here. I can see myself living for years now, why can't you? What I really dread is aging. If we are to stop aging then the cells that multiply in us gets cancerous and we'll die anyway >.< It would be nice if they really do find a way to slow down aging and help everyone be forever young and pretty 

Also isn't it about time someone really looks in to FFS and SRS? Wouldn't it be nice if they could genetically redevelop a clone body (unconscious) based on your specifications and age, and transplant the whole brain into it? That's a better transition I that I would have loved. Sadly lot of ethical battle there, oh well.