WHY, IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING?

WHY, IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING?

Why is nearly everyone around you so 'down'? Why is there a boom in antidepressants? The global economy isn't great, but holding up. Jobs are plentiful, while workers are scarce. There are wars, as usual, but they haven't widened yet. Food and energy have become more expensive, but rationing hasn't been introduced yet. Fear mongering about climate change, pandemics and World War III is nothing new. So what does it take for you to become more cheerful, with signs of Utopia all around you?

Is there a general feeling, that society is no longer thriving or able to thrive at all? Is society about to implode? Is liberal democracy doomed? Will freedom of movement and of speech become severely restricted? Has '1984' of George Orwell finally arrived? 

Has the fear of overpopulation and accelerating migration become a real issue? If so, aggression around you will get much worse. You'll need to live in a gated community! You'll need to be able to defend yourself. The call for a dictator will become stronger. It's happened in history countless times. Animals tend to defend their territory against intruders. Even birds, by song. Therefore, stay alert and hope for the best. You'll be protected. If not, too bad. Your time has come or not.

RICK SCHMULL