Whats one thing you are optimistic about?

Younger generations, I was worried about the impact social media would have on them. I am so impressed every time I chat with younger folks. Some of the topics I find myself embarrassed to still be wrestling with seem to be "yeah, well.... obviously" moments for them. They seem to be much more empathetic than we were.

I'm optimistic about tildes.net. There is at least one place on the internet where people can have a sane conversation without hive minds representing various interest groups jumping in and hijacking the conversation. I really hope this optimism stays forever and the hive mind never comes here👍.

Societal
As terrible as the war in Ukraine is, the one very bright spot is that it's accelerating the shift toward renewable and nuclear energy. High gas prices make renewables more attractive; energy has been re-prioritized as a top national security issue for many European countries now.

Personal

• My best friend and platonic love of my life, J, recently made a breakthrough in his recovery from ME/CFS. It all began around 6 years ago as fatigue and dizziness and culminated in near total disability and him being bedridden. J used to be an active rock climber, cross-country motorcyclist, chemist, and about to start his PhD, and we were extremely close — and ME/CFS derailed all of that. His family has taken to different neurologists but no one can figure it out — but a new doctor is trying a new theory, and it's making a difference.
• I'm approaching my final on-site interviews for a tech job in the sustainability sector. It's a hybrid design-engineering role that's being created just for me. I'm excited but also very nervous because the on-sites will be 6 hours long. The job checks every box of mine: challenging with broad scope, allows me to make a positive impact, and it pays very handsomely. I figure that if they're going to spend 6 hours of engineer time interviewing me, then my chances must be at least 50% at this point.

My vacation is going to go well.

There will be permanent human settlements on Mars in the next 100 years, varying degrees of human presence in the entirety of the Solar System within 200 years, and beyond it 100 years later. Which means that we will be much less susceptible to extinction.

The current research into psychedelics for mental disorders means that in 50 years much suffering will be either overcome or greatly mitigated.

The younger generation is already much better than mine in many regards, chiefly acceptance, and inclusiveness, and I don't see that changing direction any time soon.

The winter feeders that my wife and I hung up last week will make local birds happy, and seeing birds in the garden will in turn make us happy. Positivity all around.

Thank you for nudging us to think happy thoughts.

After reading Braiding Sweetgrass a year or two ago, I'm optimistic that humans can reverse all the damage they've done to nature. And even if we don't, nature won't judge us for it, but will just keep on trying to repair itself day-in and day-out.