We live in worrying times. From the climate crisis to the culture wars, there is always something to keep us fretting. But sometimes the facts tell a different story – a more hopeful one. Here, we speak to experts in search of some optimism and find 13 reasons to be a little more cheerful
that list of theirs includes the following:
1 Is artificial intelligence a force for evil?
2 The relentless ‘culture wars’ are turning all debates toxic
3 There’s nothing but horror on the telly
4 Is there any room for climate optimism?
5 Young people don’t want sex any more
6 I feel my best days are behind me
7 The kids spend all day on their screens
8 We all live in our own tiny echo chambers
9 Are conspiracy theories really on the rise?
10 Growing old fills me with dread
11 The internet is rotting my brain
12 Kids today are just a bunch of snowflakes
13 Is it likely that an asteroid will wipe out all life on Earth?
accompanying teeth clinching photo in that guardian piece says it all
How to worry less about the things we can’t control – by the people who know… Illustration: Thomas Burden/The Observer
jumping the shark about happy thoughts and looking on the bright side of life (as monte python would sing) here’s an aussie vid on what is still dubbed (at least by a reader’s digest article the other day) as the happiest animal in the world:
Close up with the Happiest Animal in the World! The Quokka. Where to meet quokkas, what the eat, why do they smile. You’ll definately be smiling watching this video! Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Quokkas and more.
Nothing like a magic flute to start the week, thanks Jack
quokkas look like a cross between a kangaroo and a mouse, very cute
my sister from NYC posted this on FB… too good to pass up…
Music on Sunday morning is soothing and pleasant but then comes this unpleasantness. Who is she trying to please?
“Tense and sometimes violent scenes played out in front of the French Embassy in Niger Sunday as thousands of people who support a military coup voiced anger over France’s influence in its former colony.”
“Some protesters tore down a plaque identifying the Embassy, stomped on it and then replaced it with Russian and Nigerien flags. Shouts of “long live Putin,” “long live Russia” and “down with France” could be heard among the crowds.”
“Niger has a long history of military coups since its independence from France in 1960, though in recent years it had been less politically unstable. When Bazoum came to office in 2021, it was the country’s first democratic transfer of power.”
“Niger was a French colony for more than 50 years before its independence in 1860. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were strong before Thursday’s putsch, but many Nigeriens believe France has continued to act as imperial power when dealing with Niger, robbing it of natural resources and dictating how its leaders steer the economy. Niger is one of the world’s poorest countries and receives hundreds of millions of dollars each year in assistance.”
“Russia has, in recent years, attempted to capitalize on that anti-colonial sentiment to bolster its influence across the continent.”
“Seventeen African heads of state traveled to St. Petersburg on Thursday for an Africa-Russia summit, though turnout was far lower this year than in previous years, likely due to the war in Ukraine.”
“Niger’s military has backed coup leaders who have claim to have seized power in the West African country, prompting warnings from the international community.”
Maybe she’s on the upswing…yx
Kamala Harris takes center stage in Biden reelection campaign’s rapid response to GOP | CNN Politics
thank you, jack and amadeus. enjoyable is an understatement.
in keeping with the upbeat music, some positive spin on some of today’s depressing worries
Doom busters: why some things aren’t (quite) as bad as we think | Health & wellbeing | The Guardian
that list of theirs includes the following:
1 Is artificial intelligence a force for evil?
2 The relentless ‘culture wars’ are turning all debates toxic
3 There’s nothing but horror on the telly
4 Is there any room for climate optimism?
5 Young people don’t want sex any more
6 I feel my best days are behind me
7 The kids spend all day on their screens
8 We all live in our own tiny echo chambers
9 Are conspiracy theories really on the rise?
10 Growing old fills me with dread
11 The internet is rotting my brain
12 Kids today are just a bunch of snowflakes
13 Is it likely that an asteroid will wipe out all life on Earth?
accompanying teeth clinching photo in that guardian piece says it all
How to worry less about the things we can’t control – by the people who know… Illustration: Thomas Burden/The Observer
jumping the shark about happy thoughts and looking on the bright side of life (as monte python would sing) here’s an aussie vid on what is still dubbed (at least by a reader’s digest article the other day) as the happiest animal in the world:
Close up with the Happiest Animal in the World! The Quokka. Where to meet quokkas, what the eat, why do they smile. You’ll definately be smiling watching this video! Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Quokkas and more.
Nothing like a magic flute to start the week, thanks Jack
quokkas look like a cross between a kangaroo and a mouse, very cute
my sister from NYC posted this on FB… too good to pass up…
Music on Sunday morning is soothing and pleasant but then comes this unpleasantness. Who is she trying to please?
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nikki-haley-former-u-n-ambassador-face-the-nation-july-30-2023-transcript/
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/30/africa/niger-french-embassy-protests-intl/index.html
“Tense and sometimes violent scenes played out in front of the French Embassy in Niger Sunday as thousands of people who support a military coup voiced anger over France’s influence in its former colony.”
“Some protesters tore down a plaque identifying the Embassy, stomped on it and then replaced it with Russian and Nigerien flags. Shouts of “long live Putin,” “long live Russia” and “down with France” could be heard among the crowds.”
“Niger has a long history of military coups since its independence from France in 1960, though in recent years it had been less politically unstable. When Bazoum came to office in 2021, it was the country’s first democratic transfer of power.”
“Niger was a French colony for more than 50 years before its independence in 1860. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were strong before Thursday’s putsch, but many Nigeriens believe France has continued to act as imperial power when dealing with Niger, robbing it of natural resources and dictating how its leaders steer the economy. Niger is one of the world’s poorest countries and receives hundreds of millions of dollars each year in assistance.”
“Russia has, in recent years, attempted to capitalize on that anti-colonial sentiment to bolster its influence across the continent.”
“Seventeen African heads of state traveled to St. Petersburg on Thursday for an Africa-Russia summit, though turnout was far lower this year than in previous years, likely due to the war in Ukraine.”
Rut-row
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/27/africa/niger-army-backs-presidential-coup-intl/index.html
“Niger’s military has backed coup leaders who have claim to have seized power in the West African country, prompting warnings from the international community.”
Maybe she’s on the upswing…yx
Kamala Harris takes center stage in Biden reelection campaign’s rapid response to GOP | CNN Politics
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/30/politics/kamala-harris-biden-reelection-republicans-2024/index.html
Craig, I hope you’re right. Her competition for the position is Nikki Haley.
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