hopelessly optimistic...
sounds funny, quite like hopefully pessimistic (more my thing)...
language is so cool.
but as long as there are humans on this planet there will be genocide. for mankind tends to be intolerant to ideas which are not their own or they're afraid of because they could cause change. and they 're always trying to find someone else to blame for things going wrong. in the worst case you can blame violent behaviour and injustice on "them" (it was ...s will).
humans are illogical.
just for once I wish that people have the guts, especially politicians and the big kahunas of industry and worldeconomics to take responsibility for the things they f... up.
but there seems to be always an excuse for incompetence, ignorance and failing humanity.
if this sound frustrated, yes I am, maybe more disappointed of the lack of "humanity" among humans and towards their fellow creatures.
let's face it we ARE all animals.

I wish everyone was as sensitive to violence.
Great job on opposing views by the way Desert Girl.

Since many people have said their opinion on this I will too.
I feel that, between feeling pessimistic and optimistic, is being realistic.
I think that this optimism/pessimism lens that you choose to see the world through predisposes you to think and by extension, to do certain things.
I prefer to be realistic, and to not dwell on the the past, things out of my control or the future, with the exception of planning and reflection.

Hope is something I choose not to have.
Here is a quote I like for this situation:

"Dr. King once said that the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice. It bends towards justice, but here is the thing: it does not bend on its own. It bends because each of us in our own ways put our hand on that arc and we bend it in the direction of justice...."

Personally I'm not a fan of the word justice, but nothing is perfect.
I don't think that for as long as humans live there will be genocide, or for that matter animal exploitation. As long as this "civilisation" maintains some sort of shared knowledge, I believe it will eventually come around like it did with sexism and racism.

Vishika wrote:

QUOTE:


As long as this "civilisation" maintains some sort of shared knowledge, I believe it will eventually come around like it did with sexism and racism.

When did that happen? Did I miss it?

Sexism and racism are still creating injustice, hatred and violence. Or are you drawing a distinction between a "civilized" society/culture in which racism and sexism don't exist and "uncivilized" societies in which they do? Which are those civilized cultures, in your experience/opinion?

I like your thoughts on realism existing between optimism and pessimism.

I think sexism and racism in the western society are generally frowned upon among the educated population. I don't we will ever get 100% there until other problems are addressed: Capitalism, exploitation of animals human or non human, population growth, fundamentalist religions, etc.

I mean we have made some progress; humans don't enslave females or other humans in most of the world.
You're right though they are far from abolished, I guess I should have said slavery, for me that's just an extreme application of racism/sexism.

Thanks for your support Vishika! I was working hard over there at opposing views! I had time on the weekend to do it, but having a break while at work. I get a little obsessed about it actually and it's all I want to do -write write write! Debate debate! I always try my best to show that I am friendly and calm. I am so used to hearing the same arguments that nothing ever phases me! I never get upset about anything. I just keep on talking -telling the same message again and again to different people. I used to have such debates on earthlings but there hasn't been much activity lately. Usually a public screening somewhere brings in some fresh posters.

Although I'm an optimist, I'm also very much a realist. Sometimes people can thing they are realists but actually they are pessimists! Reality has both negative and positive aspects to focus on. It is the optimist who acknowledges both, but chooses to focus on the positive. It is in no way a denial of the negative, on the contrary, it uses that information wisely to fuel positive action and change. One can be optimistic about the small things too. The world could be about to end, but you can still choose to focus on the positive, hug your neighbours and look at the beauty of the last sunset.

xx

DG