Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

> i can't imagine surviving something like a famine or civil war in the modern world. and it doesn't look like that kind of risk is growing smaller.

I don't think anybody studying the history of civil wars or famine believe that that is likely to happen.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/civil-war-united-stat...

Besides, even if you talk to people who lived through wars or famines, few of them wish they hadn't been born. People find happiness and meaning everywhere. From interviews I have read, people living through wars find their lives more meaningful rather than less.

> could you stand to live in a total police state, even if you're safe (from the outside) and relatively wealthy (compared to a refugee)?

Probably. But I don't think anything like that is likely. I think there will be fewer police states in the future.

It's odd how people living in poorer and less well-managed countries are much more optimistic about the future than people living in the West.

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/ng-interactiv...

I wonder if it's just spending too much time on social media and too little time reading history books that make people so pessimistic...




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: