Optimism is the Only Realism
Optimism is the Only Realism.
That’s my belief, and you’ll learn why in my latest YouTube video and podcast episode.
I feel compelled to talk about optimism for 2 reasons:
1/ Optimism is absolutely necessary for financial success – effective investing and financial planning. You need to feel you will be better off in the future you are building and you need to be confident in your investments long-term.
2/ Many young people are pessimistic today. They believe the world is in decline because of issues like climate change, and that the world is unfair with inequality.
Watch and listen to find out:
- The beauty of capitalism.
- Putting climate change into perspective.
- Benefits of a free market.
- Reliability of the stock market long-term.
- A book I recommend, which proves the world is getting better every decade.
Enjoy!
Ed
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Ed Rempel has helped thousands of Canadians become financially secure. He is a fee-for-service financial planner, tax accountant, expert in many tax & investment strategies, and a popular and passionate blogger.
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Thanks Javad!
Ed
Hi Corey,
My point is that it’s not a bad forecast. The world is getting better all the time.
Interestingly, even the “worst-case” climate change predictions are hugely optimistic. The scenarios with 4 degree warming by 2100 include the lifestyle of the average person in Africa being richer than the average American today.
Ed
Hi Gerard,
Optimism is more than the preferred realism. It is the only realism. The world is getting better all the time. Our lives have dramatically improved in essentially every way the last 100 years.
The health and wellness of humans will obviously continue to improve. Our life expectancy doubled the last 100 years. Most experts expect life expectancy to continue to rise. 80-year-olds today live like 60-year-olds 50 years ago.
It is innovation that has solved all the past climate & other issues we have faced. I remember when each of these was widely feared, but then solved by innovation:
Acid rain
Pollution (smog)
Ice Age caused by pollution
Population Bomb
Global famine
Ozone depletion
Y2K
Peak Oil
Here are past news articles about them: https://cei.org/blog/wrong-again-50-years-of-failed-eco-pocalyptic-predictions/
Interestingly, even the “worst-case” climate change predictions are hugely optimistic. The scenarios with 4 degree warming by 2100 include the lifestyle of the average person in Africa being richer than the average American today.
If you want to read about private sector initiatives, read Bill Gates’ book on climate and all he is working on. Look at the accomplishments of Elon Musk.
Ed
Exactly, Chris!
The world is getting better all the time – in essentially every way. When we have seen nothing but progress the last 100 years, on what basis should we expect nothing but catastrophe going forward?
Optimism is the only realism.
Ed
Totally agree Ed! The media has done a diservice to us all by pushing doomsday scenarios 24/7. It is a business model to capture attention not the news or reality. When you actually look at the facts there has never been a better time to be alive and it will only be better for our children. Challenges will arise no question but let’s teach our kids how to think, be resilient and to lead themselves and others. It is no wonder anxiety is at an all time high we have been teaching them that the world is going to end, it is full of injustice and there are victims and oppresors.
I agree with the general premise that optimism is the preferred realism. Certainly when compared to pessimism. More importantly, it is preferred to the anger and discontent that is increasingly being expressed by young and old, left and right, men and women on both sides of the issues of the day.
Capitalism can be a powerful force for good. Having said that, capitalism is not a panacea. Un -checked growth has consequences for the environment and for all forms of life. The world is a finite space. It’s resources can and will be exhausted over time. Conservation of those resources will necessarily slow growth while extending life on the planet.
We need to rethink growth as measured by GDP as the primary metric by which we determine economic success. If capitalism is to be the preferred solution, markets are going to need to fully embrace new measures of success including carbon management, environmental degradation, the health and wellness of populations and wild life.
I’d welcome recommendations for possible investments in private sector initiatives that address these concerns.
You mentioned “by 2100” well gotta admit I will be gone by then so SEP. (someone else’s problem). My next 30-40 will not be spent worry about the markets, gas, oil or global warming. Sure it’s a bad forecast, but worrying is like a rocking chair, gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere.
I enjoyed watching the video. Thanks Ed!
You right ! Young people are overly dramatic and they blame older people for everything to make us feel guilty but that doesn’t work anymore.
Totally with you there, Ed! Great video! Can someone tell our socialist prime minister?