RICHARD DAWKINS
Evolutionary Biologist, Charles Simonyi Professor For The Understanding Of
Science, Oxford University; Author, The God Delusion
I am optimistic that the physicists of our species will complete Einstein’s
dream and discover the final theory of everything before superior creatures,
evolved on another world, make contact and tell us the answer. I am optimistic that, although the theory of everything will bring fundamental physics to a convincing closure, the enterprise of physics itself will continue to flourish, just as biology went on growing after Darwin solved its deep problem. I am optimistic that the two theories together will furnish a totally satisfying naturalistic explanation for the existence of the universe and
everything that’s in it including ourselves. And I am optimistic that this final
scientific enlightenment will deal an overdue deathblow to religion and other
juvenile superstitions.
I dont believe there is life on any other planets. If you are a christian and truly believe Jesus died on this earth for our sins and to save us from hell, then either Jesus didn’t die for everyone in the world,because he died on earth, or he did die on earth for us and not for the “aliens” or other life on other planets. That make sense?
Bottom line is he didn’t die for for other life. Only us, because he died on this earth. So the “other life” isn’t saved, and automaticly goes to hell!
Im basicly an optimist all the way…it cheers me up…any kind of goodness expressed or seen gives me a great boost…which leads to a high kind of feeling…thenn im all mad and nutty…then i go to bed, wake up at like 12 then have some food then get all psyched up, go for a ride listening to some lovely (to pump me up like…‘raaaahhhhhh’ music you know) music, then i ride in town until i see someone who i know and hang with them, meet more people, then get all high (again…not proper like, high high like happyness high=])…and the whole prosess goes on and on and on and on…well…it does change a bit sometimes
That reminds me of some lyrics by Lisa Simpson, a local singer here in Moscow…one of her songs says “I get so cynical about things getting better but I, I believe they can…”
She’s a very good singer.
It won’t. It didn’t cancel anything out when man learned to fly, and it didn’t cancel anything out when man broke free of Earth’s gravity and went as far as the Moon. Some religious teachings suddenly disappeared or got revised, and the rest stayed the same.
Does the Bible mention any other worlds? I know it covers the creation of the universe, but then it kind of skips to just this one world. A bit self-centered, like thinking all the heavens rotate around the Earth. Oh, everyone used to believe that. Maybe each world gets its own Jesus at the appropriate time?
I am optimistic about the price of gas. What? How’s that? If the price goes down, it must mean the world is a little more stable, or more reserves have been found, or similar. Of course that can’t last forever, but the thread title mentions 2007. If prices go up, it will focus more attention, energy and hopefully financial power on developing alternate-fuel technologies. I want my fuel-cell car, and I would be happy if the oil companies don’t have any financial stake in it at all!
I’m semi optimistic that at some point people will realize that they are screwing the world over, and really need to start revising how they live (e.g. stop using gasoline fueled cars, and start working out the electric ones)
Your best choice right now, being that you live in CA, is to get a natural gas powered vehicle as there are a lot of refueling stations in CA. Here in the midwest, the best alternative available is E85 (85% ethanol), though that fuel isn’t as developed since it’s produced from corn instead of more efficient crops, but it’s a start. These aren’t perfectly clean fuels, but are cleaner in the case of natural gas, and renewable in the case of E85, so it’s a step in the right direction away from oil. The car companies need people to demand these products if we are going to ever adopt alternatives, so if you want independence from oil, then vote with your dollar.
Fuel cell vehicles I think are a while off. In my research, I have determined that hydrogen is simply a storage method of energy, like a battery, as right now the easiest way we make hydrogen is by electrolysis of water. Further the efficiency is not very good. From wikipedia:
Instead of fuel cell vehicles, I want a plug-in hybrid. Preferably one that can also run on E85. They are closer to market than fuel cells because current hybrids only need to be changed a little bit, such as adding better batteries and some new electronics. Most of the driving that people do can be done entirely off the battery, which can be recharged each night during off peak hours, or with any source of electricity. Even cooler is the possibility of plugging them in at work so that your car battery could be used to draw energy in the rare case of a peak in electricity usage, which would normally require a power plant to be turned on for much longer than needed. Essentially your car could help act as a UPS to prevent a blackout.
I got a variety pack of Jelly Belly beans for Christmas. I am optimistic that the next random Jelly Belly that I pick out will not be one of the yucky flavors that I have to spit out to save my taste buds. I am optimistic because the odds are in my favor. This is reasoned optimism.
Edit: I took the random Jelly Belly. It was lemon. Mmmmm…
I wish I could be that optimistic. Instead I am optimistic we will have a new president in January 2009! I think that’s a pretty safe bet…
Gilby I agree with your post as well. I think today’s Prius is a really cool car, and a plug-in uses even less gas (as long as you won’t get stuck needing a plug). My ultimate goal is to cut the oil companies out of my personal transportation picture, though they will probably get more into the alternative fuel business when it makes economic sense to do so…
I’m optimistic that we will discover a method of social organization that promotes freedom, peace, and prosperity, both socially and economically, above all else and that a community will adopt such a system to show the world it’s great results. That this method of social organization is so economically obvious that it will spread by the choice of those individuals it affects, instead of by the use of force which defeats the whole purpose to begin with.
I’m also optimistic that optimism is more than just hope, but that people actually take action to peacefully achieve these goals they are optimistic about.
