Anxiety about our future? (POLL)

[missy]

Natural gas fuels over 50% of New England's electricity generation, so its the contraints on the New England gas supply that seems to be causing the concern.

Power blackouts could strike this winter - Vermont Daily Chronicle

Thanks to global fuel scarcity and the decision to NOT build more pipelines from the Marcellus fracking fields to New England, Vermont will be more blackout-prone this winter than ever.

vermontdailychronicle.com

I grew up in the 70s and remember when we had to be in line for many many many hours just to get gas for the car. I remember being there with my dad while he waited. We all made the best of it because there was no other option. What we have done (and continue to do) to this world, I just have no words. I just feel sadness and hoping somehow it all works out. New England winters can be brutal. I hope everyone makes it through OK.

 

[Demon]

I grew up in the 70s and remember when we had to be in line for many many many hours just to get gas for the car. I remember being there with my dad while he waited. We all made the best of it because there was no other option. What we have done (and continue to do) to this world, I just have no words. I just feel sadness and hoping somehow it all works out. New England winters can be brutal. I hope everyone makes it through OK.

We had long lines for gas and certain days when you could get it. I do hope everyone has enough fuel for the winter.

 

[Betty Baguettes]

Gen X here too. My high school physics teacher pulled out his geiger counter when Chernobyl melted down. That's always stuck with me.

 

[Slickk]

@YadaYadaYada Only a second to respond, but I came across this interactive site that will show the effects of a nuclear attack. You chose the location and the size of the munition. It is quite scary. I remember preparing for this by hiding under our desks when I was in school.

Not for the faint of heart…I can’t vouch for the accuracy.

NUKEMAP by Alex Wellerstein

NUKEMAP is a website for visualizing the effects of nuclear detonations.

nuclearsecrecy.com

 

[kenny]

I'm certain that things are VERY F-ed up now in our country, our world and our earth's climate.
But when things are very bad, huge, and 1000% out of my control I do my best to just get on with my life and ignore it.

If it happens, it happens.

But I do vote for the side that I perceive to be more helpful and less harmful.

You know what the bumper sticker says, "Save the Planet, KILL yourself."

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thanks @Slickk although it’s surreal that even exists

 

[missy]

We had long lines for gas and certain days when you could get it. I do hope everyone has enough fuel for the winter.

Yes. Same. We could only go on certain days.

I'm certain that things are VERY F-ed up now in our country, our world and our earth's climate.
But when things are very bad, huge, and 1000% out of my control I do my best to just get on with my life and ignore it.

If it happens, it happens.

But I do vote for the side that I perceive to be more helpful and less harmful.

You know what the bumper sticker says, "Save the Planet, KILL yourself."

Human beings are the worst thing that ever happened to this world.

 

[Ally T]

I am in UK, apart from the political chaos and cost of living going up, the mood does not appear to be too downbeat, not for me anyway.

I live everyday as it comes, and try to be as content and happy as I can, doing the things that I like to do, and spending time with pets and people that I like etc...

Can't worry too much about the future as I could have an accident at anytime!

DK

Exactly this. UK also. Economy has gone to rat sh!t, but we'll make our way out of the other side like we always have done. War doesn't concern or worry me, of which I am truly grateful for. I live each & every day as happily & stress free as I can.

 

[Betty Baguettes]

Random comment. I just remembered that the Queen fixed trucks during WWII. She was awesome.

 

[House Cat]

I don’t love the idea of our future with climate change. The right wing and all of their guns and hatred scares me too. We have prepared. I’m sorry if that seems crazy, but my crazy makes me prepare. I have food for years. I have a means for getting away. I have a husband and son who tote guns. They are a little more redneck than lil ole me, who is far to the left, but what can i do? Yes, this all might seem crazy to many of you, but i have OCD that is obsessed with safety. I must do what i must.

 

[DiaLuv]

I pray and that brings me peace and comfort.

 

[qubitasaurus]

I always think of geoffry west and the idea of crisis innovation cycles. The idea is that as things (populations) grow the finite resources make the growth unsustainable triggering a crisis, which is then broken by an innovation which resets the system allowing it to grow again. You can see below that as the curve begins to diverge towards infinity in the y-axis, the system breaks into a new parameter space and the cycle starts again.

"To avoid this crisis and subsequent collapse, major qualitative changes must occur which effectively reset the initial conditions and parameters of Eq. 3. Thus, to maintain growth, the response must be “innovative” to ensure that the predominant dynamic of the city remains in the “wealth and knowledge creation” phase where β >1 and N(0) > (R/Y0)1/(β−1). In that case, a new cycle is initiated, and the city continues to grow following Eq. 2 and Fig. 3c but with new parameters and initial conditions, Ni(0), the population at the transition time between adjacent cycles. This process can be continually repeated leading to multiple cycles, thereby pushing potential collapse into the future, Fig. 4a."

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0610172104

Unfortunately the ultimate conclusions is the whole thing is unsustainable. But I think we may live in a crisis innovation cycle (maybe we need to due to our models of cities, self organization and principals of how economies work). And we will need to innovate to break the crisis conditions.

 

[danusia]

My answer is both yes and no. I am concerned and wonder what I alone can do. My parents who have passed were born in the 1920s and survived stock market crash, WW2 and having to leave their country and go to a displaced person's camp. Traveling solo to the US to start a new life with no other family members here. Call it survival of the fittest or whatever. It is good to be concerned, but not healthy to be consumed with fear.

 

[autumngems]

Yes, the shootings, shoplifting and general all out increase in crime and insanity, this world is going to hell in a handbasket. I fear for my daughter and her future children.

 

[pearlsngems]

My answer is both yes and no. I am concerned and wonder what I alone can do. My parents who have passed were born in the 1920s and survived stock market crash, WW2 and having to leave their country and go to a displaced person's camp. Traveling solo to the US to start a new life with no other family members here. Call it survival of the fittest or whatever. It is good to be concerned, but not healthy to be consumed with fear.

You could have been writing about my late parents-- it was exactly the same for them.

 

[Betty Baguettes]

My answer is both yes and no. I am concerned and wonder what I alone can do. My parents who have passed were born in the 1920s and survived stock market crash, WW2 and having to leave their country and go to a displaced person's camp. Traveling solo to the US to start a new life with no other family members here. Call it survival of the fittest or whatever. It is good to be concerned, but not healthy to be consumed with fear.

Regarding what we can do alone...for the short term I would probably want the items on FEMA's emergency supply list (at a minimum).

I wouldn't want to compete with people (men, possibly armed) for food/water/basic supplies at the grocery store, etc. when and if there is an emergency. Old Betty Baguettes is gonna lose that battle!

 

[MissGotRocks]

It is worrisome but not within my control. I honestly would have no desire to survive a nuclear attack; surviving would be worse than death in my opinion. The only thing I have control over is my vote and I use it to support the folks that I feel would more likely look at it from my point of view. I am very concerned about the future for my kids and grandkids. I think when you are younger you tend to take these issues more in stride; not that you don't acknowledge the problem but are busy just getting on with living your life. As an older person, I am totally worried about the implication of wars and climate change. However, I too try to live my life each day and hope for the best. It is all I can do and fretting about the future steals the joy from today.

 

[danusia]

I remember when All in the Family appeared on tv in 1971 over 40 years ago and the son-in-law was concerned about bringing a child into this messed up world. I don't think there will ever be a time when all is totally well and we will never be concerned.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I remember when All in the Family appeared on tv in 1971 over 40 years ago and the son-in-law was concerned about bringing a child into this messed up world. I don't think there will ever be a time when all is totally well and we will never be concerned.

I remember that too. I think we often long for the ‘good old days’ but in truth, there have always been concerns about the future for any generation. Some different, some the same and yet the world keeps on spinning. One day it might not but who can accurately predict the future? Not me for sure so just one day at a time - the only way any of us can live life!

 

[Betty Baguettes]

I remember when All in the Family appeared on tv in 1971 over 40 years ago and the son-in-law was concerned about bringing a child into this messed up world. I don't think there will ever be a time when all is totally well and we will never be concerned.

I remember that too. I think we often long for the ‘good old days’ but in truth, there have always been concerns about the future for any generation. Some different, some the same and yet the world keeps on spinning. One day it might not but who can accurately predict the future? Not me for sure so just one day at a time - the only way any of us can live life!

True. But I think Mike/Meathead would be MUCH more concerned about bringing a child into the world in 2022:

Seoul says allies agree 'unparalleled' response needed to a N. Korea nuclear test

South Korea said on in Wednesday it had agreed with the United States and Japan that a resumption of nuclear testing by North Korea would have to be met with an "unparalleled" response.

www.reuters.com

 

[Betty Baguettes]

More...

Putin blasts West, says world faces most dangerous decade since WW2

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the world faced the most dangerous decade since World War Two as Western elites scrambled to prevent the inevitable crumbling of the global dominance of the United States and its allies.

www.reuters.com

 

[Betty Baguettes]

Op-Ed: A midterm elections threat assessment — high and getting higher

Far-right political figures are telling their followers, if we lose, you’ve been cheated, a message that many seem to think makes 'revolution' justified even before votes have been cast.

www.latimes.com

 

[Betty Baguettes]

UN warns there's currently 'no credible pathway' to keep temperature rise under 1.5C | Engadget

Compared with current policies, the UN says a further 45 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions is needed to get on track and stay under the to 1.5C threshold..

www.engadget.com

 

[Betty Baguettes]

Live each day as it comes, but, as the Boy Scouts say, be prepared.

 

[Betty Baguettes]

70 votes so far:

60.0% Very Concerned
24.3% Somewhat Concerned
15.7% Not Concerned At All

I'll leave this poll up for a little while longer. Vote changes allowed.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I grew up in the 70s and remember when we had to be in line for many many many hours just to get gas for the car. I remember being there with my dad while he waited. We all made the best of it because there was no other option. What we have done (and continue to do) to this world, I just have no words. I just feel sadness and hoping somehow it all works out. New England winters can be brutal. I hope everyone makes it through OK.

we had carless days during the oil shock in the late 70s
you choose a day not to drive on and got a little coloured sticker for your windscreen to match the day
our day was Wednesday / orange sticker
my granddad went for a wee holiday to visit his brother in the north island, for a rest from looking after grandma and grandma went into a home for a few weeks

Dad went down to the MoT and got an exemption so we could go visist grandma every day till granddad got home


i honestly do not know how some of you guys cope with the winters you get
you are a hardy and resourcful bunch

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

70 votes so far:

60.0% Very Concerned
24.3% Somewhat Concerned
15.7% Not Concerned At All

I'll leave this poll up for a little while longer. Vote changes allowed.

still in deniale here
not because i dont care
but because thats just my MO

 

[missy]

you are a hardy and resourcful bunch

Haha, that is the Brooklyn in me.
You can take the girl out of Brooklyn but you cannot take the Brooklyn out of the girl

 

[Brookzo]

Inflation makes me worried a lot lately, feels like I'm only able to buy a half of what I've used to for the same money compared to last year... Probably a lot more subjective with all the buzz, but hell if it's not concerning.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Inflation makes me worried a lot lately, feels like I'm only able to buy a half of what I've used to for the same money compared to last year... Probably a lot more subjective with all the buzz, but hell if it's not concerning.

as an example i needed cinamon this week
its usually $2 to $2.10 but it was $2.50
now i know thats a small and really an unessental item - but also how is that 10% inflation
frozen veg which i buy a lot of has all gone up =frozen spinach used to be $2 and now its $3.50
green beans similar
ok we shouldnt be eatting hot chips but frozen oven fries were always also $2 and are now closer to $4
and i buy the store brand of all those items
i sometimes think someone is taking the pi**
dont start me on meat
or cat food especially the cat biscuits (kibble)