Foo - Getting depressed and anxious...

Lately, I've been growing depressed and anxious. About my financial situation? My health? Nope - it's about climate change and resource depletion. I'm becoming convinced that we will eventually reach a tipping point and the world economy will collapse and that there will be a massive human die-off because there simply won't be any more oil. Cheap energy is the foundation of our civilization, and it's being wasted at a terrifying rate even as the reserves dwindle.

But it's not really the collapse and the die-off that scare me. I live in central Illinois, surrounded by some of the most fertile farmland in the world, and I'm close to the Great Lakes, the largest reservoir of fresh water in the world. I think I'll do OK when it happens. The thing that's got me concerned is my children's futures. I have two kids, and I love them so much that it hurts to think that they'll be faced with uncertainty and catastrophic change. I'm sure humanity will survive - we're too smart and adaptable not to. However, we may be back to living conditions as they were 100 years ago, which IMO is not really bad at all - from a historical perspective, things were much more peaceful back then.

It's strange; I'm almost bipolar about it. I go from gut-twisting anxiety to elation when I read about new plans for wind farms or the increase of green buildings and solar collectors. I'm envious of those Europeans whose governments have invested in renewable energy, because they will help considerably to soften the landing, and I get terribly angry at the US for wasting money fighting wars when we could be doing the same and for not encouraging Americans to conserve.

Is anyone else worried about this? If so, what do you do to relieve your anxiety?

ps - sorry of this is has depressed you

I'm not worried about it. Actually, from a antisocial point of view, I actually kinda hope it happens. People need a wake-up call.

Then again, I don't have kids.

I suppose you could start teaching your kids self-sufficience. How to live off the land, carpentry skills, where to find fresh water, etc. Survival skills, basically. That way, when the **** does hit the fan, they'll have a leg-up on everyone and will be able to take care of themselves and their kids and so on, as the world tries to get its **** together.

Plus, you'll have plenty of bonding time teaching and learning these things with them.

http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Marijuana-Not-Crack-Magnet-C11754995.jpeg

You people have too much to worry about.
I'm just worried about making a living and not getting killed on the way to and from work.

Who cares, we're a flash in the pan, a hundred trillion planetary systems out there and we're 1. Personally we'd be much happier if we aim to do more with our lives instead of owning more and it'll be less of a drain on our resources. But seeing as how no one cares, I don't either.

Life existed just fine before humans, it'll exist fine after humans, actually life in general was way better off before we initiated the greatest mass extinction of all time.

LoL Stacey you always post the funniest things:)

^^^ I'm glad you enjoy the fruits of my labor :) I do try to please the masses.

I'm an incurable optimist.

Yes, humankind has created a lot of problems, but we've solved a few too.

When oil is gone, I believe we will go to the "next available" energy source, and continue on.

I believe everything works itself out in time..you just have to make do in the meantime.

This is known as the Stockdale Paradox:

Retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties.

AND at the same time

Confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.

Short of a metorite hit, I'm afraid we will inhabit this rock for a long time.

I do have concerns and can relate since I adore my childrens as well but you have to find some relief as to what kind of life you bring them today and all you do for them and hopefully you also have giving them the tools to deal with whatever they will face someday.

Lately, I've been growing depressed and anxious. About my financial situation? My health? Nope - it's about climate change and resource depletion. I'm becoming convinced that we will eventually reach a tipping point and the world economy will collapse and that there will be a massive human die-off because there simply won't be any more oil. Cheap energy is the foundation of our civilization, and it's being wasted at a terrifying rate even as the reserves dwindle.What's the big deal? The worse that can happen is the human-race wipes itself out (along with a couple million other species). But you know what? Life will go on, the Earth will always be bigger and badder than anything on it. Some other species will then rise to domination, don't worry... The dinosaurs were around for 100-million years, thousands of times longer than us... where are they now?

Holy Crap! I spend too much time worrying about things that are LIKELY to happen to have enough energy to waste on hallucinations like that! I've been looking over my top 1 million things to worry about list and must admit that wasn't even on it.

mankind is resilient. you're kids will be fine. teach them survival skills, decision making skills and empower them to affect their own lives; in whatever environment we live in. take that energy you're using worrying to make a plan if you feel that it's needed.

you can't change the past. you don't know the future. take a deep breath and be in the present.

Humans are a virus. Some strains of humans are like the ebola virus. They burn out their host, killing themselves in the process. Others are like the common cold. They keep adapting to changing conditions.

As for me, I'm looking for cheap land up in the mountains. Preferably w/ caves.

What's the big deal? But you know what? Life will go on
well when the sun becomes a red giant or whatnot in the next million years the rays will burn pretty much everything of this planet.:)

I think it's "billions and billions and billions" of years away from that... ;)

You ever worry that the solar system is going to get flung off the rotating arm of the milkyway?

You ever worry that the solar system is going to get flung off the rotating arm of the milkyway?

I know I do. I installed a seatbelt device on my bed in case it happens in my sleep. :D

I know I do. I installed a seatbelt device on my bed in case it happens in my sleep. :D
Are seatbelts supposed to have arm and leg cuffs? And what's the gag for?

Are seatbelts supposed to have arm and leg cuffs? And what's the gag for?

To stifle the fruit of the whip!

OK, guys, thanks for all the input. Here's what I've learned by reading all your informative posts:

1) I've got it pretty good right now, because, yes, I really don't have anything else that's bothering me. Thanks for putting it into perspective.

2) Sitting around worrying doesn't help the problem. If it's bugging me so much, I should be doing something about it (like looking for cheap, cave-riddled mountain real estate).

3) I should enjoy what I've got and not let things I can't control ruin my happiness.

4) I should read foo more often, 'cause there's some really hilarious crap in here sometimes.

Thanks!

Someone finally appreciates our efforts :love: You know, we work like MoFo's to produce this stuff.

Are seatbelts supposed to have arm and leg cuffs? And what's the gag for?

I'm still upset over the fact that Nurse Ratched will not let up watch the baseball game. :D

DAMN YOU ILLINOIANS. YOU POLUTE EVERYONE AROUND YOU ESPECIALY US IN LOWER WISCONSIN. and we are the ones that have to pay for the cleaner gas, and power plants. stay in your own state and dont come up here. every time im on the road and i get yelled at its always the person with the illinois plates.

if gravity somehow stopped everything would fly out to space hehh.

... where no one could hear you scream. :)

DAMN YOU ILLINOIANS. YOU POLUTE EVERYONE AROUND YOU ESPECIALY US IN LOWER WISCONSIN. and we are the ones that have to pay for the cleaner gas, and power plants. stay in your own state and dont come up here. every time im on the road and i get yelled at its always the person with the illinois plates.

It's good to be a FIB.... jobs are plentiful, the corn grows tall, and we get to invade Wisconsin and Michigan every weekend for fun and relaxation (and killer riding in Wisconsin!). Thank you Packer Fans..... thank you very much!

:D

at least your a good sport

Sometimes I feel this way about the future of humankind and the future of our beautiful planet. These are the days when I really appreciate how close I live to some truly beautiful areas. I go for a walk, a hike, a bike ride and I get a different perspective both both in the physical and emotional sense. It can be really emotionally draining to worry about this all of the time especially when most people are either in denial or apathetic about the direction we are going in. Life is too short to worry all the time. I try to live as good as I can and I do get encouraged when I see more people who are waking up to the problem. More research and more awareness needs to happen, but there is hardley any point in me stressing about it on a day to day basis. I need to enjoy myself, my life and my planet while I am still here on it to enjoy.

you're better off than i am... i get depressed and anxious about everything. :o

Hey are you still thinking about utd?

As a history major and a pessismist, to get to witness the destruction of the planet would be a treat.

The end of the world will NOT be televised!