The end of the first decade of the 21st century is drawing closer.  We spent the better half of the decade hoping to witness the continuation of a string of technological miracles that have virtually turned the world into a global village. We enjoyed a steady growth in our purchasing power which enabled us to travel more, communicate more and possess more. We began believing in the future, got more attached to the system as we and everybody else were reaping the harvest of a non-stop growth.

Gradually, once vibrant industries became overpopulated resulting in a substantial change in the way money and labor distributed among various sectors. This resulted in imbalances which were difficult to fix. Proving the proverb: "What goes up must come down", the IT sector began plummeting, hardware, textile and virtually all sorts of manufacturing industries fell victim to the ridiculous labor costs in China. In the end, we were faced with a huge anticlimax: Global Economic Crisis.

As we are nearing the end of the decade now, what is left behind is one giant producer that uses much of the Earth´s available resources for producing massive amounts of commodity and one giant consumer eating up even a larger percentage.  Indeed, China is a product of the big economic powers who moved their production facilities to take advantage of low labor cost. Chinese laborers are working for the bread money at the cost of losing their health.  Somehow it seems, in order for Capitalism to flourish, some of us need to be neck deep in the shit.

Compared to the 90´s when the word 2000 still had that extraterrestrial quality pointing out at a time when all problems would be miraculously solved; we must have been a lot more careful in our expectations of the new decade.  For my own part, I am still hopelessly looking forward to an age of awakening. I hope nations will begin to understand the absurdity of intimidating one another. I hope  governments will stop spending all that money on armament and use those funds to cure social problems.I hope there will be fewer narrow minded bigots who can see things only through a small window. Finally, just like people can quit smoking if they are determined enough, I hope the world can quit fighting in the coming decade and maybe even beyond that.

How likely is a happy new decade? Odds are against us.  It is not just the economy that goes bad these days, racism, ethnic awareness, nationalism and bigotry are on increase.  There has been a surge in the crime rate. People are becoming intolerant, psychological problems have not only diversified but they have also become more impenetrable. In the past, there would mostly be normal people and just a few ones with psychological problems. Today, we are talking about new psychological condiitons like passive aggression. The rarities of bygone days such as borderline psychology has become one of the standard problems of the urban population.  One research (youtube Denmark is the happiest country) positions the mighty and rich US  39th on the list of happiest countries. Though no one wonders what China´s rank is, it doesn´t take much to say that it is probably through the end of the list.

In other words, we are living in a world guided by sad people who are growing sadder and sadder day after day. Will any good come out of this sadness, hope we can live to see it.

Sounds very pessimistic, Vineyards. I try to see the sunnyside of all, even though I don´t succeed in that always.

Beautiful and thoughtful. I´m glad you are back Vineyards .  From my view, the last 8 years have been a nightmare. In fact, it´s only now at the end of the decade things are beginning to look up. At least with a new administration, there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel. I´m not naive enough to believe Obama can fix it all. This world is not run by one man, but rather it´s an oligarch.... Davos man...?......... but it is an improvement. He can´t do it alone, he needs wind at his back encouraging and demanding change....but....it is a positive change.

Yes, people in the US, are not that happy. We are over worked, alienated from our families. We have been involved in two wars; the economy is a disaster due to greed and corruption by some and lack of involvement by the citizenry. Agree or disagree with the military adventures, there is a lot of tension. We have witnessed depravity of unimaginable proportions. Untold millions of lives altered in most unpleasant ways.
 
Our ideas about love are confused. On the positive side, at least love, being loved and loving is the goal. At least eyes are now open and demanding change.

As far as technology, we can now read poetry, literature and enjoy the benefits of libraries, art collections, research information, exchange thoughts and ideas with others thousands of miles away. I love this technology.

For some reason it´s in human nature to complain more then express gratitude for our situation. I don´t have a toothache or headache today. I witnessed two doves making a nest and cooing because my eyes worked. I heard the dove cooing because my ears work. I saw the mist over the hills with the trees looking like an ancient Chinese painting. I saw more that was beautiful than ugly.

I don´t want to obsess on the negative. I know it´s there, but it´s like brushing one´s teeth everyday. Yes, you will get plaque...keep brushing it away.

Sounds miserable Alamada.  I know California is bankrupt, however where I live everyone I´m surrounded by ARE happy and full of love.  Overworked?  My gosh I don´t think a typical 40 hour standard work week is overworked...maybe you need to look for another job then.  Unemployment is still lower than what it was in the Carter days!  Even the Obama supporters are starting to question the hope he promised he would bring.  The only change I see now is more government involvment.    4 states have now passed laws you cannnot smile on your drivers license.  Socialism I ask?

 Yes, I can tell teaschip....your post is brimming over with love......BTW....Obama has only been in office little over 100 days.

Maybe you need to reread my message instead of filling in your own ideas as to my life.  You seem to have missed major parts of it. 

Hmm, let´s see these are your words...not mine. 

maybe you could read a little more..........

"Our ideas about love are confused. On the positive side, at least love, being loved and loving is the goal. At least eyes are now open and demanding change.

As far as technology, we can now read poetry, literature and enjoy the benefits of libraries, art collections, research information, exchange thoughts and ideas with others thousands of miles away. I love this technology.

For some reason it´s in human nature to complain more then express gratitude for our situation. I don´t have a toothache or headache today (although I now feel one coming on). I witnessed two doves making a nest and cooing because my eyes worked. I heard the dove cooing because my ears work. I saw the mist over the hills with the trees looking like an ancient Chinese painting. I saw more that was beautiful than ugly."

Our ideas about love is confused?  Are you pertaining to divorces or gay marriages...what specifically?

Yes, I like our technology but I´m afraid to think it will be this type of technology that in the end will destroy us.  You will always have people complain... ultimately you have the decision to either allow them in your inner circle or not.

 I am speaking of the larger context of love, not carnal love.  We hear the sayings, "I love those shoes, that car, that (insert celebrity of your choice).  I would not consider that love...rather desire.....more related to ego.  That is what I mean. If you love, you protect, you cherish.  There is romantic love, carnal love, sisterly love, brotherly love, parental love, mother love....marital love....all are aspects of love...but the ego does not exist in the love I´m speaking of.

It is interesting to note in Arabic and Turkish there are different words for love.  Sev & aþk are different states of love.  Sev is a begining state related to Aþk which is the merging with the beloved as one....the state where the self and the beloved are in the process of becoming one...united.

Are you familiar with the story of Layla and Majnun?

i think everythings will be finer or better on all over world when humans become aware of we r must be master of money or technology ,never slave of it....And events showing us one time more wealth is meaningfull and helpfull for happiness when shared,never saved,An other one´s sadness never can be reasoon for our happiness,and other one´s worriess never can be our hopes,so humanity must think about deeply one time more about we all in the same boat,on upstair or downstair doesn´t matter...And i believe thats road passing on once way and thas ´´unconditional love&respect´´,not from our selfish arrogance,lust or despises..Developement is nicer when surrounded with ethical rules...