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XemaSab

(60,212 posts)
Sun Jun 24, 2012, 11:42 PM Jun 2012

When it comes to energy and the environment

are you generally optimistic or generally cynical?

(I'm talking the things themselves, not this group.)


4 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
Optimistic.
1 (25%)
Cynical.
3 (75%)
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NRaleighLiberal

(59,940 posts)
1. Sadly, I think humans in general are hardwired to be shortsighted, selfish and greedy.
Sun Jun 24, 2012, 11:44 PM
Jun 2012

And the current world political situation makes any sort of meaningful change, without absolute disaster facing us, near impossible.

pinto

(106,886 posts)
3. Optimistic. I see & hear more and more about the issues and solution oriented ideas.
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 12:25 AM
Jun 2012

Though as many say, we're on the brink, I think we're also in the process of a groundswell to address the situations.

patrice

(47,992 posts)
4. I know several young people with engineering interests in alternative energies. If we can
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 12:35 AM
Jun 2012

be aggressively proactive on their behalf on the issues: student debt; health care; PEACE; tax reform . . .

I know that's a big list, but I find their seriously committed interest in environmental responsibility and alternative energy really inspiring.

bananas

(27,509 posts)
5. That depends on what you mean.
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 12:42 AM
Jun 2012

the opposite of optimistic is pessimistic, not cynical, a person can be both or neither.

and what you mean by "in general" isn't what other people mean by "in general".

The peak oilers who thought civilization would collapse in 2006 thought I was optimistic, but actually I was cynical about peak oilers.

The anti-science pro-nukes thought I was pessimistic when I told them not to believe the absurdly low cost estimates, but actually I was being realistic about the costs and cynical about the nuclear industry and its bullshit PR campaign.

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