The world is always changing – that much we know. But lately, the pace of change feels relentless. Faster. Less predictable. More unforgiving. So, what scares you most about what’s happening in the world? Can you put your finger on it?
Is it the rise of AI and its unknown impact? The loss of wildlife and biodiversity? Politics? Politicians? Or maybe it’s the seasons feeling off-kilter?
These changes creep into our lives, shaping how we see the future – half empty or half full. And once you notice them, they’re hard to unsee. Like someone telling you not to think of the colour red.
Don’t think of the colour red…
Hey, stop thinking about the colour red…
Why are you still thinking about the colour red?
Now, back to change. Take nature’s plight, for example. Is it the silence where birdsong used to be? Sparrows no longer flitting through hedgerows? Did they ever do that? Yes, in my childhood they did. But our grandchildren may need convincing that sparrows were once a common sight.
Christmas brings the future closer, doesn’t it? We see it in the faces of our children and grandchildren, gathered at the table, sharing traditions. It’s the perfect time to ask: What kind of world will they inherit?
Change comes in all shapes and forms. Generally, we don’t like it. But here’s the thing – change can be remarkable. Even the smallest actions, done for the right reasons and repeated often enough, can lead to meaningful change. Brick by brick, we can build or dismantle a wall. Or, we can keep banging our heads against a wall. Same bricks. Different experience.
So this Christmas, take a moment. Look at the people you love. Think about the world you want for them. What scares you most about the changes you see? And what small steps can you take to shape a better future?
As always, the choice is ours.
What will you do now that you know?
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas,
Simon
5 responses to “Q5: What Scares You Most About the Changes You See in the World?”
Dear Simon
Thank you. We’ll reply later this week after the immediate festivities.
The tempo here should slow soon, following our Kenya trip, and,
according to the Druids, who assembled in full force at Stonehenge last
Saturday, the days are starting to lengthen. Hooray!
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/national/24811827.thousands-greet-dawn-cheers-stonehenge-mark-winter-solstice/
Best wishes and Happy Christmas to all
John and Margaret Cooper
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Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Enjoy Christmas first, though.Best wishesSimon
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The number one of what scares me most is the attack on free speech and free expression. Without that, for example, blogs such as yours Simon, could be shut down if those controlling the internet decides that the content does not conform to the current political narrative.
Censorship is already happening is various degrees from banning or shadow banning independent content on YouTube and Facebook to legislation such as hate speech which is being presented as protecting the innocent as a cover story to bring into being means to restrict what is considered by the State as contrary to the official messaging. Websites and books are also being targeted, authors even being arrested and imprisoned. An example of a crackdown on views not in line with State propaganda…
Check out this article «U.K.’s Advanced Censorship Laws Force Small Websites To Shut Down!»: https://davidicke.com/2024/12/27/u-k-s-advanced-censorship-laws-force-small-websites-to-shut-down/
To the out right deliberate murder of independent journalists as we have seen in many parts of the world, most recently in Gaza perpetrated by Israel in an attempt to stop the reporting of war crimes against Palestine citizens.
We are facing a situation where different versions of the Truth are not being allowed to be aired and debated in healthy way. It seems almost too obvious to say but following our experience over the last four years our critical thinking facilities should be alerted to the understand that the information given to us by the State, and its bought and paid for main stream media, cannot be trusted to provide correct information or a choice of views from which we can then make our own judgments.
AI is an example of tech that can and will be used to monitor and censor unacceptable content on various sites. The point is who decides what is or is not allowed to be expressed or shared between us.
The potentially good news is that what has already happened can be reversed. We can also so NO or what is called ‘pushback’, to future plans. If we are wise and awake to what is happening. After all we as individuals and groups are more powerful than they (the state) what us to believe. The true is that there is many more of us than them. The State can only get away with the withdrawal of free speech if we allow that to happen. Pubic apathy in these matters is I think a big obstacle to our freedom.
Rob
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Thank you, Rob, for sharing your perspective. Free speech is essential for healthy debate, critical thinking and accountability. At FFON, we value the power of questioning and reflection, which free speech enables.
Your call for awareness and action is a reminder our freedoms require active protection. The power to push back against apathy and restrictions is ours if we choose to use it.
Thank you for encouraging this important conversation.
I’ll put it on record that I’m not a David Icke fan or follower and I doubt that he’ll be linking to my blog so I won’t be allowing future links to his. I’m sure that you don’t need his website to make your point here, however.
Thank you.
Simon
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Thank you for this focussed question, Simon.
As eighty-year-olds, the world situation disturbs us greatly. We do, indeed, as you suggest, wonder what we have bequeathed to our grandchildren.
Climate change has to be the biggest global threat and we need to move fast if we are to save this beleaguered planet. There appeared to be disappointing progress at COP28 UN Climate Conference in Baku. The UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said that the new finance goal agreed at the Conference in Baku was an insurance policy for humanity but ” like any insurance policy – it only works – if the premiums are paid in full, and on time.” We shall see.
Second to climate change has to be armed conflict. We are of the generation born during the Second World War. Our future – and that of our children – was to be enshrined in the Preamble to the 1945 Charter of the United Nations (UN), which stated:
“We the peoples of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind…..reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small…”
Alas, many of the bold statements made in that Charter have failed to prevent further conflict, genocide, oppression and diverse assaults on human rights. This is painfully obvious from current events that dominate the news. Ukraine is fighting off invasion. Sudan is in civil conflict. Bombing continues in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territories – and now Lebanon and Yemen are under fire. All the time, countless children, parents and grandparents are being killed or torn apart from each other.
The news from the Middle East is particularly depressing and our government, a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, seems to do no more than sit on the fence while thousands die. Even religious groups, while professing “peace on earth, goodwill towards men” seem reluctant to condemn military action that is clearly contrary to the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations and the 1949 Geneva Convention. We were impressed, therefore, when British Quakers declared that ‘apartheid’ is an accurate description of the situation in occupied Palestine, and aligned themselves with the International Court of Justice rulings on Israel and occupied Palestine. This gives us some hope.
In his preamble, Simon refers to “AI” (Is it the rise of AI and its unknown impact?) but he fails to explain the abbreviation. To veterinary surgeons, like John, “AI” refers to either artificial insemination or avian Influenza! The former is not a matter of great concern but we are “scared” by the prospect that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which kills many poultry and other birds and is increasingly being recognised in mammals, might be the cause of our next human pandemic.
We are, of course, conscious of both the benefits and dangers presented by the other AI, artificial intelligence. A recent issue of The Quarterly Review of Biology Volume 99 (4) (paper by Robert C. Brooks) even discusses the possibility that artificial intelligence might influence human evolution. We hope that – as with other inventions and discoveries in the past, such as steam and jet engines and nuclear fission – that sense and wise counsel will prevail.
Notwithstanding what we say above, we two octogenarians remain positive and believe that things will get better. We were cheered, therefore, when Pope Francis spoke of a ‘world full of hope and kindness’ and wished listeners ‘peace, fellowship and gratitude’ in the New Year in his BBC Radio 4 message on BBC’s Thought for the Day this morning.
In that spirit, we send all followers of FFON good wishes for 2025.
John and Margaret Cooper
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