Is sanity possible in a world of Chaos?
I am sitting on my chesterfield watching the speculation about what will happen in the financial markets today. They are bracing for another day of sell-offs all over the world. CHAOS for economics.
I was up early with my puppy and had a chance to watch some speeches from the ARC (Alliance for Responsible Citizenship) Conference 2025. The list of speakers is widely varied, (https://www.arcforum.com/arc-2025-speakers). I listened to Sophie Winkleman speaking on education and the use of tech. I had no idea that teachers across the world are being replaced by online learning programs. I also did not know that the research in this area have precipitated a ban on tech in schools in Sweden. It shows that worse outcomes for children are measurable and universal when screens are used instead of teachers. CHAOS for the future of our children.
Then a brief video on the demographic information predicting the end population growth and the halving of humanity by the end of the century. CHAOS for our societies and even civilization as we know it. The assault on my picture of the world, humanity, and the future is all pervasive.
HOW CAN I REMAIN SANE IN A WORLD THAT IS UNRECOGNIZABLE TO ME?
My belief in humanity has always optimistic, that people are overwhelmingly good. That is people are; compassionate, empathetic, thoughtful, rational, and caring. But that is not the way my children see the world and humanity. They see people as selfish, greedy, and easily manipulated. Their overall feeling of the world and it's prospects is pessimistic. I have trouble getting my head around the massive upheaval in the world in a short time. I have yet to figure out a lasting way to maintain my equilibrium amid the CHAOS.
One way is to retreat from the 'news'. Protecting my sanity by insulating myself from the firehose of conflicting and pessimistic information. I use this method when I feel overwhelmed. It works for a few days at a time. Giving my emotions a respite, a short vacation that keeps me from spiraling into depressive circles of thought that are not helpful and are destructive.
But I cannot live in that bubble for long. Within a week I crave the news, wanting to find out what is happening around the world. Discussions with my grown children have helped me to understand why. At least part of the reason is that I am flummoxed, completely discombobulated by what is happening. I am desperately trying to understand why things have devolved. More disturbing, how the people in charge have not only allowed, but have actively helped the destruction of our compassionate society. I have no answers because I have refused to allow myself to contemplate that people are actually evil. That they wish harm to others and so our society. That they want to cause harm to other people, that they have no conscience, and that they feel no remorse, no connection to the people they are hurting.
I am afraid that if I surrender my lifelong view of humans as positive to the current surface appearance that the negative aspects in us all are winning, I will dissolve into a puddle of despair. I am not ready to do that yet. So I continue my search for a way of coping amid the CHAOS.