Do we live in the best of times or the worst of times?

1. 60

   stuff4kidsposted 10 years ago

   Do we live in the best of times or the worst of times?
   
   

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   ChristinSposted 10 years ago

   It's all in how you look at it. As a whole, I'd say humanity is very young, but we are progressing in many ways.  If you listen to the media hype it would seem the world is going to hell in a handbasket, but if you get out into the real world, among your neighbors more, it's easy to see that people as a whole are far more good than bad. The world is a beautiful place, despite it's flaws.  Throughout history there have been people who swore it was so bad that it couldn't get any worse - and yet, time keeps ticking on.  Like everything it has its good and its bad.

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      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent answer, ChristinS.

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   suzettenaplesposted 10 years ago

   I'm going with Dickens - probably both.  There is great prosperity for some and unemployment and financial strain for others.  The world is making great strides and at the same time there is war and strife all over the globe.  There are some places in this world that care about their environment and some places that pollute it.  There are new countries that are emerging as economic leaders and other countries that are in economic decline.  So, I guess it  all comes down to each person's own perception of life and the world in general, today.  Probably, this question has been asked by each generation during its time running this world.

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      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Couldn't agree with you more.  What a great, insightful answer!

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   gmwilliamsposted 10 years ago

   
   
   This is by far THE BEST QUESTION in the question section.  I would say we live in a combination of both the best and the worst times.  I see the worst times as just a beginning of an epoch of the advancement in overall consciousness.   Yes, there is a sociocultural and socioeconomic morass.  However, such crises will be dealt with and overcome.   This worst period is a lesson of sorts.  Humankind will see through such testings what is important and unimportant in life.  Such things are not a permanent condition and they will pass.
   
   The human spirit is indeed highly resilient.  In many cases, adversities and dark moments only make humankind more resolute in improving sociocultural and socioeconomic conditions.  ALL IS NOT LOST AT ALL!  The best is STILL yet to come believe it or not!

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      ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The best is yet to come - I totally agree. What an interesting point in history we are living in now .

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      suzettenaplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I have to agree with you also - not all is lost and the best is still yet to come in most areas.

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      CalebSparksposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Do you have something tangible to describe what is "the best yet to come"?

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5. 59

   Neil Sperlingposted 10 years ago

   Every Day is a GOOD day ....... Some are just GOODER.
   We line in a time of fascinating progress.
   As I said in Back To Zero.... { "We need to stop making such a huge deal about manufacturing "things" and we have to start making a big deal about building character. Build a new man from the inside out. No longer running from who we are inside. We can learn to love life and love living by realizing the most important goal anyone can have is "To Be Happy Now".} .... and as I see it - we are in progress towards this change beautifully.

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      Neil Sperlingposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      We LIVE in a time of fascinating progress.

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   BuffaloGal1960posted 10 years ago

   I definitely think both without a doubt.
   
   From technology we have the capabilities of talking to our loved ones from around the world.  We have ways to keep in touch we never dreamed of.  Great for military families especially. But then there are those who use the net to snare their prey and use it for selfish gain.
   
   From a spiritual sense, we are living in exciting times.  I see prophecy unfolding at a rapid pace and this increases my faith tremendously.  On the other hand, some things are worrisome such as the prophecy of violence and immorality.
   
   Education is practically at our fingertips and yet we have to be careful who are sources are. 
   
   There are so many things to consider best/worst. These are just a few. I hope you write a hub! It would be an interesting one!

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   dashingscorpioposted 10 years ago

   I believe it all depends on how happy the individual is with his or her (own) life. There will always be those people who believe the world is in the toilet. However during the same time period there are those who are having the best time of their life.
   No one who is sitting under a hutch on a white sandy beach in the Caribbean sipping on a mango daiquiri and listening to music on their iPod while staring through sunglasses at turquoise waters is complaining about anything!
   Most children who are running and playing with their friends on school grounds are also happy with life.
   Generally speaking those of us who lack (balance) in our lives tend to have a more pessimistic view about life in general. They have an uncanny ability to ignore the sunshine, green grass, birds singing, lovers walking hand in hand, packed restaurants with friends laughing over cocktails or watching sports events, sail boats out on the lake, or the smell of barbeque coming from a neighbor's backyard. These things are happening all around us each and everyday! However if one is only consumed with watching CNN, FOX News, or MSNBC and dwelling on things they have no control over it's only natural to be unhappy with life. Wherever our focus goes, our energy flows!
   "People who focus on what they can’t control are usually depressed, frustrated, angry, overwhelmed and lost."  – Tony Robbins

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   Sri Tposted 10 years ago

   This is the best times. Everything is getting better. It is a continuous evolution. Things we have now did not exist 100 years ago. Even the minds of people are becoming more advanced. On a personal level, it depends on where your attention is focused. The flowers or the weeds. Each person must choose. If you remove the media from your mind, the inner world is always beautiful. That is the real world. All the problems on the outside belong to those who create them. We all create our own inner worlds.

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      Rayne123posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Very nicely put, however I feel that in some ways it is the worst of times. The technology is too fast, and too many of us do not enjoy (especially the kids of today) the nature, Gods creation

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   MysticMoonlightposted 10 years ago

   Either because it's all about mindset. If you tend to look at things positively, you will often feel more positive and vise versa. Sure, we can take stock and find a million things to feel terrible about and fall into the mindset of doom and gloom but what good is that? It helps nothing and no one. Some people thrive on spreading doom and gloom, instilling fear to make people see the error of their ways but I think that if you live positively, as much as possible, that will speak louder to others than any words ever can.

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    conradofontanillaposted 10 years ago

    Thats hard to tell now. During the crusades of five centuries who would tell you that crusades are a folly of mankind? We can say now that those were the worst of times because we read of them. Those Christians who thought they had licked the Muslims thought they lived the best of times.

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    smartprincessposted 10 years ago

    I have to say that we are living in the worst of times. Just take a look at the heinous acts been done by people. Sometimes, its just hard for me to watch news, because there is going to be some story about someone who was killed over a petty squabble or some guys who were bombed somewhere. It is a sad, but the reality is there is a lot more bad going on in the world today than good.

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       Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Mr. Rogers always said, "Look to the helpers" when trying to help children (and us, I presume) cope with tragedy the the heinous acts committed by people. Actually my counselor told me that stop watching the news is a healthy thing to do sometimes.

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    Kathleen Cochranposted 10 years ago

    Not nearly.  Crime is down.  More people have jobs than don't. Most of us sleep in peace every night.  We have freedoms many in the world envy.  People don't die by age 40 on average any more.  Our children live beyond infancy as the norm.  We have a great deal to celebrate.

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    thomasczechposted 10 years ago

    I think it depends how you look at it, and from what perspective you look at it. Globaly we live in bad times, I say this because nations that are doing well are letting countries that have starvation, homelessness etc suffer. If we (in Canada) for instance, who have been almost untouched by the global recession look just at ourselves, then we can say that we are living in bad times. But my many friends u=in the US say that they are living in bad times. They see foreclosures of homes regularly, unemployment and now possibly another war.
    A friend of mine in the Philippines says things are bad and seem to be getting worse. So it does depend on how you look at it for sure--and from what perspective--from where you live.
    But I will say, if we continue to be selfish as a nation and do not help those who need help, then things WILL get worse...for everyone.

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    Oscarlitesposted 10 years ago

    WE live in both..  each of us has a personal view of the good and the bad.
    We happen to live where we live by destiny., or divine purpose.  whichever you prefer.  because of the personal aspect, each ones answer will be different.   The worst of times is when you aren't satisfied, aren't provided for, aren't achieving, and aren't attaining, time when you somehow are suffering, or helping someone else go through their time of suffering.   Good times are when we have plenty, OR when we have purpose. when we are satisfied with where we're headed and what we're doing to achieve. And perhaps there is less suffering in our personal world.  Our goals, dreams and aspirations are being reached. perhaps we have been successful already and see it happening again.. In basic thoughts, perhaps we have enough income to balance our weekly/ monthly expenses, and we aren't carrying a load of worry;  but also it could be that we have found the source or supply of our life needs.  If you know that source.. you are living the best, whether you have a lot or a little.    You can have life and have it more abundantly.  You can!  Living the best of times includes living with some faith.. If you have a situation that no one seems to care or to help you and you are in despair, yes you are in the worst of times and I pray it will get better for you.. be it health, financial, relationship, or inner peace.

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    manthyposted 10 years ago

    We live in the best of times.
    We are living longer,healthier lives.
    God bless us all

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       Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Agree!

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    jansharesposted 10 years ago

    This is a tough question. I often think about this when the latest tragedy hits the news. Have horrible things always happened or are they just reported more due to multi-media? I don't know. But what I do know is that I don't recall the frequency at which so much happens in shorter periods of time. I think it means something. Times have certainly changed.

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    Billie Kelpinposted 10 years ago

    Absolutely the BEST of times!  I rail on and on about injustices in the world,  and there are an enormous amount.  I rail on and on about sickening proliferation of wars, and we should be at a place where there are none.  I rail on and and about the disparity of wealth in our country, and it's obscene. I rail on and on about global warming and the travesty that we let it get to this point. But all in all, I feel that the POTENTIAL for achieving solutions to all of these problems, the possibility of getting closer and closer to the state that the human condition longs for, the yearning of the world to unite in a way that has never been possible before and for disease and hunger to be eradicated - at no time has all of that potentiality been gifted into our hands as profoundly as it is now.  We all just have to muddle through the transition, hang on, and know that the future is going to be spectacular. "With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world." Desiderata,  Max Erhmann

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       ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       So true!  and I love the Desiderata.

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    Mark Leesposted 10 years ago

    As Dickens' intended to suggest when he wrote those words we are always living in both the best and worst of times, it is all a matter of personal circumstance and perception.
    
    For what it is worth I don't feel we are quite yet in the end days- their is time to build on the great things that humanity is achieving and repair the great damage we are causing.

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    Antoine Van Hoveposted 10 years ago

    Both! And we Always do!
    The real question is probably; "Will we ever be able to take complete responsability for what we do?"
    "We", create all this...

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    Say Yes To Lifeposted 10 years ago

    In spite of all the nasty things going on in this world, we live in the best of times. Banks and insurance companies may be failing, but most investors can get some of their money back. When people lose jobs, they can claim Unemployment benefits.  People who can't work can get SSI income. Someone who's REALLY down and out can get welfare. Even homeless people can go to soup kitchens and shelters. A century ago, if you were sick, injured, or unlucky, you were SCREWED.
    The only thing that has gotten worse is war. We have far nastier weapons, and it's more likely to involve civilians. But we haven't blown up the world yet, even though we had the power to do so for the past 75 years. So perhaps we're becoming more civilized!

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    F-Menchiseposted 10 years ago

    It all depends on how we look at it and where we happen to be living today, if I go back in time to the times when I was very young, I would say that we are living in very good times, since today here in Australia and I guess also in many parts of the world it is a lot easier to feed our mouth, but then there is also the other side of the coin, because today not withstanding this easier way of life and the basic of life being easy to get, there are so many crimes just to rob a few dollars, as if one is starving; I really cannot work it out.

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    3amartposted 10 years ago

    Definitely the BEST.
    I get to possibly live longer than ever. I have more ways to fight disease. I have more ways to connect with people all over the world in the blink of an eye and offer help or simply make new friends. I can travel easier and faster than ever before and every day, new discoveries continue to make being alive at this time truly awesome. ☺

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    DDEposted 10 years ago

    Living in the best or the worst of times interesting question well it all depends on how the individual is living if someone is living  poorly it would be the worst of  times on the other hand if one is living with all basic needs and more it would be their best of times

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       gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Excellent response!

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       Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       DDE, Actually I am living at one of the lowest point of my life right now-in regard to finances and family/friend relationships.My basic needs are not being met and I don't know how to get out of debt.  However, I still feel it's the best of times.

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       Say Yes To Lifeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Billie Kelpin - this is one of my life low points, too. However, it's not the worst time I've ever had. I have resources I didn't have 30 years ago, and it's so much easier to communicate with others now. It's easier to earn extra money, too.

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    JustCraftyposted 10 years ago

    I think we are in the best of times for some things like medical things but the worst of times when it comes to jobs because the jobs and economy are changing and no one has caught up with the change and now the people are behind but will eventually get transitioned and the economy will turn around.  Changes are always the cause of the worst of time for many.

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       conradofontanillaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Could be worst in medicine because of heart disease and cancer, top killers.Conventional medicine does not recognize true causes (free radicals) and come up with costly palliatives with aims not to treat or cure. But to maintain market for drugs.

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       JustCraftyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       I think the top killers are work stress, burnout, no time for good eating habits, preventative medicine and the cost of basic living if you support yourself without any help. I have never worked so hard to have so little and take no medicines.

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    C.V.Rajanposted 10 years ago

    I think most of us are living, trying to make the best out of the really worst of times that we are going through!

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    Rayne123posted 10 years ago

    This is a great question and all answers are great. Since there is no right or wrong answer to this, I will say that in some ways it is the worse. Its like the calm before the storm. Things get real quiet then all of a sudden it hits.
    A lot of our devastations/disasters have been exactly like that. Wars and storms/earthquakes and such without warning.
    
    To rebuild something to a new beginning it first must be taken apart and I think that is what the "holy spirit" has in mind.
    
    I think it was a much simpler time back in our grandparents day when they all worked in fields (or such the stories they told) and lived among the trees and nature. They spend a lot of times outside. Back in the bible days seemed so serene and loving. They walked among few roads and more paths and trees.  However on the down side of that, there also was fighting/wars/plagues and harder times trying to fight off diseases with little or no care like today.
    
    Today on the other hand, the technology is way to fast, every day there is an update of one kind or the other. The children have more technology in their little hands than I know what to do with. Bullying/sexting  on the internet has become severe in some cases. Something back in my day was not even heard of.
    
    Government is crooked today and quite a few come preaching the word of God falsely. With the fast paced life, its hard to make ends meet for most.
    
    The only time we (some) seem to spread a chain of kindness is through a disaster when volunteers and service people lend a hand. Maybe that is Gods way to bring the world together to a better place.
    
    However as most as said, we can make it a situation as good or bad as we see fit. It is easier than done at times no question about that. There is a lot of evil out there, but if we try to live at peace with one another we could heal the world and make it a better place for our children.
    
    Our children learn what they live and they did not make the world the way it is today they are only trying to fit into a world that has become not only over populated but so fast paced, that if they dont fit in they are lost and some teased. The outside seems like a thing of the past.
    
    It states in the bible that technology will be more advanced and people will have more knowledge which is great, however the tools given to us are being used for our own personal gain. So we actually made the world the way it is.
    
    I think the world will fall more before it rebuilds.

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    Chrizjanposted 10 years ago

    I believe we are on the BEST of times. Though we are experiencing calamities, war, climate change and etc it is our reminder that we are changing...and to that, we continually seek for improvements all we have to do is innovate it on good hands.

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    jeugenejohnposted 10 years ago

    It depends on a person's perspective. For me, I believe these are the good old days. Most deadly diseases such as small pox, polio has been eradicated and new cures are been discovered from time to time. People are more closer to each other thanks to internet. (We would not have had, this particular conversation in the 80s.). Less racial discrimination and more of globalization. Lots of gadgets in our house, but still we have time to breathe the fresh air.

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    SuhanaSposted 10 years ago

    It is very tough to say that its good or bed because time is running time is never ever stop but person or people is stop or run and people never understand time is very important to do some good turn not a bed thing .

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    Borsiaposted 10 years ago

    I'm not so optimistic I would say we are living in the time of great decline.
    The planet is crashing and the population is out of control.
    Society is degrading, at least in the US and most of the 1st world.
    I would say the heyday was the 60s.
    I don't see a bright happy future for the planet.
    But hopefully I'm wrong.
    Still I'm close to 60 and relieved that I don't have any children so I don't have to worry much about the mess we're in and the planet will no doubt outlive me.

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       F-Menchiseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Hi Borsia, I agree with you that overall everything on earth seems to decline,  I know that looking back it seems that humanity has had their best time for over 60 years, but we should not despair, because somehow humanity will find a way to survive

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    jeffreymaskelposted 10 years ago

    I would have to say the best of times.  The invention of media keeps the population constantly feeling as if there are horrible things all across the world that need to be worried about locally. This makes it seem as if the world is on its demise.  In fact it's amazing that with this many people on the planet all living right on top of each other that there is not more crime and insanity happening.  Here's to looking up.

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       Rayne123posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Actually you do have a point there however there is a lot of crime, a lot of crooks and not just with the public but in authority figures. It is not as serene as the day when I was a kid.

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    P Priyadarshanaposted 10 years ago

    I think it's not 'We' - should be 'You' or 'Me'.. For someone, it would be the best and for another it would be the worst. And also, considering the time frame it will differ too(this century/decade/year/week/day). But in general, I think it's not best or worst - kinda middle.. But the trend is going towards the worst for sure.... All the natural disasters, economics falling apart, terrorist acts, getting close to earth's expiring date, etc. we are nearing to the end. But what I think is to live the moment with our best. Should not care much about the future or past. If we live this moment with the maximum satisfaction regardless what happens around us - if everyone does the same, it will always be the Best times!!!

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    Younes Benhlalposted 10 years ago

    I believe in good decision and bad ones, because good times or bad times only consequences of our decisions

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    brblogposted 10 years ago

    Not going to answer but do want to comment. I was expecting a lot of negative answers to this question – what with all of the negative comments you read on almost any topic on the internet. Yet, here we have mostly positive answers with some neutral and very few negative. Gives one hope!

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