Although today is just another day, culturally we are trained to think of the new year as a stepping stone to something new and hopeful. The science / philosophy magazine Edge is asking its readers what they feel optimistic about at the start of 2007. Thoughts of some 160 scientists, philosophers and thinkers are listed. Cancer, climate, autism, energy conservation, rise in human intelligence, decrease in ignorance and triumph of rationality; scientists are optimisitic about a whole host of things. One is even optimistic about blocking pessimism!
The Edge Annual Question — 2007
WHAT ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC ABOUT? WHY?
As an activity, as a state of mind, science is fundamentally optimistic. Science figures out how things work and thus can make them work better. Much of the news is either good news or news that can be made good, thanks to ever deepening knowledge and ever more efficient and powerful tools and techniques. Science, on its frontiers, poses more and ever better questions, ever better put.
What are you optimistic about? Why? Surprise us!
Update: Okay, so not everyone (including Matt) is feeling optimistic. These guys are actually protesting the New Year! I don’t know French so I can’t say what they are saying on the video (hit Enter) but their manifesto is in English and that’s what it says there. I guess the French, with their culture of unions and street protests, will protest anything. (Here is a news report of the event in English. Link: Sujatha)
Accidental Blogger 
2 responses to “What Are You Optimistic About?”
I’m optimistic about my pessimism. It will thrive this year.
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I guess we know what Rev. Gooberson is optimistic about.
Great one, excellent, you’re in, thanks!
absurd thought –
God of the Universe will
destroy itself soon…
absurd thought –
God of the Universe says
predict MASS killings…
absurd thought –
God of the Universe says
make good use of terror
absurd thought –
God of the Universe says
hope for your predictions
USpace
..
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