November 19, 2004
AREN'T THEY SUPPOSED TO BE ENJOYING THEIR SECULAR DESCENT INTO OBLIVION?:
Western Europeans 'World's most pessimistic people' (Richard Carter, 18.11.2004, EU Observer)
People from Western Europe are more pessimistic about the future than in any other region in the World, a new survey has shown.A global survey of 50,000 people in over 60 countries by the World Economic Forum shows that a majority of Europeans (55 percent) believes that the next generation will live in a less safe world.
Although this percentage has declined since last year, Europeans are still ahead of their closest competitors in the pessimism stakes, people from the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
Amongst Europeans, Germans are the most pessimistic, with 63 percent believing that the next generation will live in a less safe world.
Why shouldn't a dying people be pessimistic about the future? Posted by Orrin Judd at November 19, 2004 12:09 PM
Unfortunately that same survey shows North Americans not that far behind them and ahead of Asia, Eastern Europe and (can you believe it?) Africa.
Posted by: Peter B at November 19, 2004 12:32 PMPeter B
(Does North America include Canada?) Even if it did not, rememver the are still Democrats in this country (US), especially among the "poll-loving" urbanites that these surveys tend to over-represent. Anyway, as they emigrate to Europe, as threatened, the optimism gap with Europe will widen.
Posted by: Moe from NC at November 19, 2004 12:58 PMThat's not pessimism, that's realism.
Future generations will live in a "less safe world".
There's nothing to be done about that.
The better question is, "Will future generations live happy, productive lives ?"
That could still be true, even if they're occasionally ravaged by genetically engineered bio-plagues and the odd nuclear conflict.
I assume that Eastern Europe and Africa weren't as concerned about increased future danger because they already live in the dangerous parts of the world.
Posted by: Michael Herdegen at November 19, 2004 7:49 PMFunny how all those dying childrenless non-believers out there continue to prosper; dollar/euro at 1.3,
Japan GDP positive for 6 straight quarters,
Keep ringing those alarm bells Oj...
Posted by: Perry at November 20, 2004 3:50 AMPerry:
The present "strength" of the euro has nothing to do with any European muscle, but rather with the last 3+ years of US monetary policy.
Other than for short-term gains, would you rather be buying in dollars or in euros? The EU certainly is moaning about their currency right now.
Posted by: jim hamlen at November 20, 2004 12:12 PMYep that Japanese econ growth is quite robust. What is it, a fraction of one%
Posted by: Jim in Chicago at November 20, 2004 1:19 PMI AM NOT a fundamentalist Christian. I am a pretty main stream Presbyterian Christian. I have, however, read the Book of Revelation. Things are going to get a lot worse before they get better on this planet. My ultimate outlook is VERY optimistic, it's my shorter term outlook that's not.
Posted by: Dave at November 20, 2004 4:25 PMDave:
Since the end of the Cold War, on balance, have things gotten better, or worse?
Posted by: Jeff Guinn at November 21, 2004 3:36 PMBetter for us. Worse for Europe and Japan.
Posted by: oj at November 21, 2004 3:47 PM