Though the science suggests very strongly that Earth's systems are spinning madly towards a world in which it will be hard to survive, and politically things look bleak, it is illogical to assume nothing good will happen.
Here's one way I remind myself of this:
Here's one way I remind myself of this:
The 25 Year Rule is a helpful way of remembering that no matter how fcked things appear, we should think twice before predicting that the future will be worse.
It works like this:
It works like this:
Take a random year from the last 250 years. Imagine yourself in that year. Could you possibly have predicted exactly what was coming next?
So, take 1898. Could you have predicted what the world would be like in 1923?
Or 1773. Was the reality of 1798 clear?
Or 1964...to 1989?
So, take 1898. Could you have predicted what the world would be like in 1923?
Or 1773. Was the reality of 1798 clear?
Or 1964...to 1989?
This isn't to say terrible things haven't been happening in the last 250 years of Empire, colonialism & capitalism, nor does it mean blind optimism is an adequate response to the world. It's just a way of avoiding the trap of assuming we know exactly how to think about tomorrow.
Love, compassion and justice are part of the reality of the physical universe.
Positive action is always possible.
Trying to create a more just world is always worthwhile.
Positive action is always possible.
Trying to create a more just world is always worthwhile.
