I always thought I was lucky to grow up in the 20th century. I didn’t even realize how poor my family was until years later. But the future is going to be much better for our grandchildren. I was born too early! It’s hard to see because the last decade has been such a setback for social progress.

@manton I think it will be worse and that’s just because of the climate catastrophe which will be on a different level in 20-30 years.

@nielsk I agree with you, but my view is that the situation isn't worsening solely due to the climate crisis.

The growing concentration of wealth in fewer and fewer hands leads to enormous problems.

@manton

@thosch66 @manton But wealth disparity depends on politics in single countries. Hard to tackle but can be tackled.

The climate catastrophe must be dealt with by more or less all the countries and not changing things will only be seen quite a while away when current administrations are long gone.

@nielsk I'm not going to argue with you on that point.

My statement merely aimed to highlight that the climate crisis isn't the sole factor adversely impacting living conditions.

@manton

@manton What’s your basis regarding that view of the future?

@manton Energy — and clean energy at that — has been rapidly getting much cheaper, and that’s a very big deal.

@manton –

I don't find it hard to imagine, if that's what you mean, but some of the current obstacles are certainly obvious. ("Current" implies impermanence, of course.)

@manton There’s no better time to be born than today, except for tomorrow and the day after that. We’ve only gotten more free and rich across the board, at least as Americans.

Energy is finally becoming more cheap and abundant, and we are on the cusp of many biomedical revolutions including I believe the first decline in obesity in decades.

Our foreign and domestic policy could use some work, but let’s not lose sight of the big picture here. Especially as we watch people in places like Iran fighting with their lives for what we in the west take for granted ✌️

@manton Watch this video for more perspective on prosperity in the USA, 1955 vs 2025, who actually had it better?. Spoiler, after 1980 until current day the rich are getting richer, and the middle and low income are getting poorer (have to work more for the same salary, adjusted for inflation). Your children will earn less than you when they’re grownups, adjusted for inflation, so are their children if nothing changes, while the economy keeps growing. US politicians truly are the best money can buy ;)