Cheery Morning Thread
I went to see Mark Stevenson talk about his book An Optimist's Tour of the Future ( anoptimiststourofthefuture.com/ )last night and it was really great to hear someone being positive about the way the human race is going and some of the things we can do with technology.

It's put me in a really good mood, what was the last thing that made you feel hopeful about humanity?

Alt: I think "Burnly" said in it's own native accent sounds really nice an comforting, like a warm cardigan, what do other place\accent combinations conjure up for you?
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:16, 27 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

I read that as opthamologists view of the future.
I think that's a better title.
(PsychoChomp, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:18, Reply)

20/20

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:21, Reply)

Who said that?
/speccy
(BrianHequator was stretching owls, on, or around, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:27, Reply)

The Japs have found a huge deposit
of rare earths under the Pacific. They contain minerals that we all rely on for modern technology and which, currently, the Chinese have a near-monopoly on. The current global total deposits they're mining at the moment equal 100 million tonnes or so. The Pacific deposits are estimated to be in the billions.

This makes me hopeful for two reasons. Firstly breaking Chinese dominance can only be a good thing as they've restricted access before during a diplomatic dispute and as they get more powerful they'll only get more bolshy

Secondly I strongly believe that the only way we're getting out of the environmental mess we've made for ourselves is through the application of technology and the replacement of oil as a power source. A huge cache of minerals that we can either use directly as fuel or as a means of producing fuel is a very positive thing.

/serious answer
( Kroney, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:23, Reply)

Are we still pals with the Japanese?
Countries fall in and out of favour with each other so often, it's like a bloody schoolyard.
( girlinthehole, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:28, Reply)

That's the best bit
the deposit's all in international waters.
( Kroney, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:28, Reply)

Hurrah!

( girlinthehole, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:29, Reply)

Link, if you're interested
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14009910
( Kroney, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:33, Reply)

Yes I am, thanks.

( girlinthehole, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:36, Reply)

A really nice pair of breasts
/b3tan answer
( Kroney, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:24, Reply)

I feel the same way about the Southern Irish lilt.
Lovely enveloping duvet of an accent.
( girlinthehole, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:25, Reply)

In the last week I've read 3 absolutely sickening news stories, so there's not a huge amount to keep me hopeful at the minute
Although, the article about the gay soldier was quite good.

Alt: I quite like the elder Scouse accent, always found that quite comforting.
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:30, Reply)

This story is funny
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-14018482

Enzyme linked to it on Facebook, his repsonse was "if you don't want to be taught to kill people, don't join the Navy"
( Bazongaloid, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:32, Reply)

Agreed
I know he is a medic but he still needs to learn how to fire a gun
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:33, Reply)

Aye, I saw that, made me laugh
If you've not read the story about the gay solder, here it is. Well worth a read.
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:38, Reply)

As much as I agree with his stance..............he's a dipshit.
You don't join the forces and then pick and choose what you will or won't fight for.
( girlinthehole, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:39, Reply)

Anyone from 'the north' talking about 'the north' makes me think of whippets.
As a dog fucker, this isn't good. Thankfully, I live in the south and most northern call centres have been outsourced to India as it's easier to understand the Mumbai accent than it is that of those born in the wrong half of England, so I'm able to cope with this terrible affliction.
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:30, Reply)

*gives withering look*

( girlinthehole, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:31, Reply)

*joins in*

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:33, Reply)

I'd like to thank both you and AA for either 'shaking a fist' or giving me a 'withering look'
Had either of you spoken, I'd have been back to square one again.
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:33, Reply)

Reet, ahm gunna nack im
ya fuggin gunt
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:35, Reply)

*Gets a whippet woody*

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:35, Reply)

Surely the technical term would be a "bone on"

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:36, Reply)

hehheh

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:37, Reply)

*shakes fist*

( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:32, Reply)

I'm hoping that eventually the world heads towards secularism and racial ambiguity.
Like Star Trek but with less Tribbles.
( girlinthehole, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:34, Reply)

MOAR TRIBBLES

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 10:35, Reply)