Environment & Energy

OKIsItJustMe

(21,875 posts)

8. I am not a Doomer™

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 04:54 PM

Apr 2012

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.”

To my way of thinking:

The first thought of a Doomer™ upon reading the latest “bad news” is a self-satisfied, “I told you the world was going to Hell!” (If the news really isn’t as bad as the Doomer™ believes, there is a tinge of disappointment.)
The Realist™ upon reading the same news says, “Well, Damn! It’s not a surprise, but Damn!” (Some self-identified Realists™ feel akin to Eeyore.)

I prefer to be an Optimistic Realist™, aware of the risks, hoping to avoid them.

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Are you a Doomer™? [View all] GliderGuider Apr 2012 OP

Good conversation. I can't really add to it xchrom Apr 2012 #1

What does the word Fixed™ mean to you? GliderGuider Apr 2012 #2

Well in government terms - for example - the EPA xchrom Apr 2012 #4

Our brain structure helps lock us into crisis mode responses. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #16

I think the Enlightenment gave us other structures xchrom Apr 2012 #18

To what extent does the Enlightenment trump Evolution? GliderGuider Apr 2012 #20

Who says the Enlightenment is not Evolution? OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #34

It didn't change our brain structure or function GliderGuider Apr 2012 #35

Actually I was suggesting that the Age of Enlightenment was a product of our evolution OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #36

Sorry, but I don't see culture in Darwinian terms. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #42

Darwin did OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #49

I know about epigenetics GliderGuider Apr 2012 #50

Morality appears to be much more than a “learned trait” OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #51

Try a morality that's a little more complex and problematic than altruism. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #52

The Moral Instinct OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #53

Interesting that you should quote Pinker GliderGuider Apr 2012 #55

Babies embrace punishment earlier than previously thought, study suggests OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #54

Again, it's too easy. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #56

You claimed (upstream) “Morality is a learned trait that is passed on through teaching” OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #57

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one, at least for now. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #58

That strikes me as a kind of latter day lysenkoism pscot Apr 2012 #45

...and yet.. atheous Apr 2012 #3

Sounds like high school kids on acid. nt kristopher Apr 2012 #5

You ever do drugs, kris? XemaSab Apr 2012 #10

It's only natural GliderGuider Apr 2012 #14

Sure GG. kristopher Apr 2012 #19

The funny thing is, GliderGuider Apr 2012 #21

No, it isn't. kristopher Apr 2012 #25

these people play too many video games. provis99 Apr 2012 #6

Video games? Why do you say that? nt GliderGuider Apr 2012 #17

The human race is doomed to extinction. Speck Tater Apr 2012 #7

I hear you - I'm 61. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #13

Apathy -- I can't take it or leave it. nt Speck Tater Apr 2012 #15

AHA, I knew you were a Boomer *EVILGRIN* Odin2005 Apr 2012 #38

Yep, I'm a BoomerDoomer™ GliderGuider Apr 2012 #39

I am not a Doomer™ OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #8

I like that - I identify alternately with Eeyore and Tigger. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #12

Neither really OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #22

So now I'm confused. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #23

Perhaps I was unclear OKIsItJustMe Apr 2012 #24

When the caterpillar builds a chrysalis and XemaSab Apr 2012 #9

That so resonates for me. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #11

exactly! FirstLight Apr 2012 #30

There's a lot to be said on the ideas you've raised. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #31

This message was self-deleted by its author GliderGuider Apr 2012 #41

A lot of people accused of being Doomers™ are actually Wayseers™. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #43

It is what it is, whatever it is RobertEarl Apr 2012 #26

Ah, you're walking nice and close to the edge there! GliderGuider Apr 2012 #27

I dunno RobertEarl Apr 2012 #28

Nobody else gets to decide what is best. Just You™. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #29

I suffer severe depression. I take meds. hunter Apr 2012 #32

Well put. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #33

BTW, "demon wrangler"? GliderGuider Apr 2012 #48

He managed drunk and disorderly Captain Americas and Mad Scientists essential to the war effort... hunter Apr 2012 #59

That's quite a story. Thanks. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #60

They wrestled with titanium. The metal was not yet domesticated. hunter Apr 2012 #63

The whole main casing was motor - home-packed Zinc/Sulphur GliderGuider Apr 2012 #64

I'm a long-term optimist. Odin2005 Apr 2012 #37

I'm an alarmist, though partially a doomer I still think something can be done. joshcryer Apr 2012 #40

How do you define Fucked™, Josh? nt GliderGuider Apr 2012 #44

Good post pscot Apr 2012 #46

Thanks. Yes, I have acquired some very good friends. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #47

Global economic collapse and resource wars never before seen. joshcryer Apr 2012 #61

Fair enough. GliderGuider Apr 2012 #62