[stu]

Seeing as this site seems to have a reputation for pessimism then I thought I would start a thread where we can only put stories and discussions that point to an optimistic future. Now this might sound quite general but allow me to explain.

Each week you will see stories that could point to another step to a full blown crisis in one certain topic.

For example: Gold prices and oil prices break new records so this is another step towards an economic crisis.

Bird flu spreads to another country increasing tensions about a possible bird flu pandemic that could kill millions.

You get the picture.

Instead I thought I'd create a thread where people can post news which points to continued economic growth, optimistic outcomes to energy crises and climate change etc.

Seeing as most people I talk to don't think a crisis of any kind is coming then I must be in the minority and there should be plenty of stories out there.

Allow me to go first.

Judge Lets United Leave Chapter 11

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A') U.S. bankruptcy judge in Chicago approved United Airlines' reorganization plan yesterday, the final hurdle in the airline's path to reemerge after three years under Chapter 11 protection.

After the ruling, executives from United's parent, UAL Corp., said the airline could complete its reorganization as early as Feb. 1.

[gt1370a]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('stu', '
')Instead I thought I'd create a thread where people can post news which points to continued economic growth, optimistic outcomes to energy crises and climate change etc.

[stu]

Fair point.

To be honest I'm expecting this idea to be about as popular as bird flu but I figured it could be an antidote to all the doomer news that normally gets talked about.

[VinceG]

Stu, if you want this thread to be just with stories and discussions that point to an optimistic future, you might want to change your signature...

[stu]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('VinceG', 'S')tu, if you want this thread to be just with stories and discussions that point to an optimistic future, you might want to change your signature...

[Zardoz]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('stu', '.')..There are varying degrees of doomerosity.

[backstop]

Stu -

United being allowed back into normal trade seems to me bad news from quite a number of perspectives.

I was hoping that they would, quite rightly, be closed down and their aircraft cut up for recycling
(you could make a lot of mobile homes out of one 747 . . )

Still, at least putting United back into normal trade will keep US air carrirs overpopulated and thus bring them all down somewhat sooner.
So maybe it can be called somewhat good news ?

regards,

Backstop

[Leanan]

I already posted this in a different thread, but what the heck:

Getting Off the Oil Nipple

Amory Lovins thinks the U.S. economy can keep going and going and going...without any oil.

(It's a Discover magazine article. They offer articles for free for a short while, then put them behind a paywall for subscribers only. So get it while it's hot!)

[Free]

As long as optimism and positive thinking result in actions rather than complacency I am all for it.

I think that's why most POers tend to react allergic to optimistic stories, because they have the suspicion, and not entirely unjustified in my book, that those kind of stories are put up as a smoke screen to keep the average Joe comfortable and let business as usual let go on just a little bit more, while at the same time only increasing the difficulties we will inevitably face.

That's why I have the feeling now is the time to be alarmist to prevent complacency.

As soon as the majority realizes that we will crash into a brick wall then is the time to be overly optimistic to prevent fatalism.

Even outright denial will be justified then, the real "can do spirit" you Americans are so famous for, because anything else would be useless.
Then will be the time to say: "We got no chance, so lets use it".

[Leanan]

How about this one?

‘Blue’ states stake own energy stance

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'D')emocratic-leaning states increasingly are regulating energy use and emissions, working around a GOP-controlled federal government that state officials say has not done enough.

The states are creating energy efficiency requirements for light bulbs and household appliances, limiting power plant and automobile output linked to global warming, and requiring the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar.

Leading the effort are "blue" states that voted Democratic in the 2004 presidential election. Even some of those states that have Republican governors, such as California and Connecticut, are making their own rules.

"In a way, the left is controlling that agenda," said Amy Myers Jaffe, associate director of the energy program at Rice University in Houston. "They're just implementing it at the community and state level."

[duke3522]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('stu', 'S')eeing as this site seems to have a reputation for pessimism then I thought I would start a thread where we can only put stories and discussions that point to an optimistic future. Now this might sound quite general but allow me to explain.

Each week you will see stories that could point to another step to a full blown crisis in one certain topic.

For example: Gold prices and oil prices break new records so this is another step towards an economic crisis.

Bird flu spreads to another country increasing tensions about a possible bird flu pandemic that could kill millions.

You get the picture.

Instead I thought I'd create a thread where people can post news which points to continued economic growth, optimistic outcomes to energy crises and climate change etc.

Seeing as most people I talk to don't think a crisis of any kind is coming then I must be in the minority and there should be plenty of stories out there.

Allow me to go first.

Judge Lets United Leave Chapter 11

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A') U.S. bankruptcy judge in Chicago approved United Airlines' reorganization plan yesterday, the final hurdle in the airline's path to reemerge after three years under Chapter 11 protection.

After the ruling, executives from United's parent, UAL Corp., said the airline could complete its reorganization as early as Feb. 1.

[Heineken]

I'm all for an Optimism Forum as long as we call it by its real name: Fantasy Forum.

[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Zardoz', 'H')as anyone ever made up a "doomerosity scale" graphic? If so, can we get a linky?

[Free]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('duke3522', '
')Well now Stu, since your new connections put you in the know with TPTB ...

Why the hell don't my smilies work?

[duke3522]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Free', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('duke3522', '
')Well now Stu, since your new connections put you in the know with TPTB ...

Why the hell don't my smilies work?

[Luckystars]

Good News:

Even the Republicans are talking renewables now.

Iran Oil Bourse, open it and share the petrodollar with europe. They have been conserving for years.

Globalization: bring third world countries up and USA down. Living like pigs is not the way. Make third world countries adhear to global environmental practices.

Stop borrowing money from China, bring back US jobs.

Gas goes up in the US, the only way to get them to stop with the insane car love affair.

Change the only constant in life, pain is often around when change is nearby.

[stu]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('duke3522', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('stu', 'S')eeing as this site seems to have a reputation for pessimism then I thought I would start a thread where we can only put stories and discussions that point to an optimistic future. Now this might sound quite general but allow me to explain.

Each week you will see stories that could point to another step to a full blown crisis in one certain topic.

For example: Gold prices and oil prices break new records so this is another step towards an economic crisis.

Bird flu spreads to another country increasing tensions about a possible bird flu pandemic that could kill millions.

You get the picture.

Instead I thought I'd create a thread where people can post news which points to continued economic growth, optimistic outcomes to energy crises and climate change etc.

Seeing as most people I talk to don't think a crisis of any kind is coming then I must be in the minority and there should be plenty of stories out there.

Allow me to go first.

Judge Lets United Leave Chapter 11

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A') U.S. bankruptcy judge in Chicago approved United Airlines' reorganization plan yesterday, the final hurdle in the airline's path to reemerge after three years under Chapter 11 protection.

After the ruling, executives from United's parent, UAL Corp., said the airline could complete its reorganization as early as Feb. 1.

[Free]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('stu', ' ')
I do believe in Hydrogen!
I do believe in Hydrogen!
I do believe in Hydrogen!
I do believe in Hydrogen!

[Cyrus]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Free', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('stu', ' ')
I do believe in Hydrogen!
I do believe in Hydrogen!
I do believe in Hydrogen!
I do believe in Hydrogen!

[turmoil]

THROW HIM INTO THE POND!!!!!!!!!