Humor me for a moment... I want to talk about having faith in humanity.

[Writer]

The Enlightenment stipulates that people will always strive to better themselves, and that people in fact should strive to better their lives. We have seen a recent example in Obama's presidency: African-Americans have risen from slavery to the presidency in only 150 years (lightening fast compared to other cultures.)

But I see this as only one small shining moment in a world that seems to be slowly degrading by our own hand:

- A world of consummate selfishness that only grows by the minute - where people exploit one another for personal gain.

- A world of environmental degradation

- A world with war (and not just American war)

- A world of financial exploitation

Certainly there have been many great inventions, advances in sciences, and pushes for civil rights, but those advances seem overshadowed by the persistent reality of human suffering. In a way, we are taking one step forward and two steps back generation after generation.

I do not see the point of trying to better ourselves anymore. In a way, I wish we could let our economy crumple and let us Americans learn how to suffer again. From there, we can rebuild anew with a sense of clarity that we haven't possessed for generations. Unfortunately, however, the poorest among us would suffer the most.

I want to be convinced otherwise. I would like those of you here on DU to tell me why I shouldn't see the human condition this way.

[cobalt1999]

1. When haven't humans been selfish, warlike, & exploiting each other?

Pick any century in history, it's the same story. Always has been, always will be.

We are not a pretty species and we are more numerous than ever.

[Writer]

2. People: There's too many of us, and we all believe ourselves to be so incredibly important. n/t

[cobalt1999]

4. Yes, and don't hope for collapse and rebuilding anew with a sense of clarity either

It won't happen.

If everything collapses, don't expect a change. Rebuilding will continue to take the form of exploitation, war, and selfishness. So, you might as well hope we get through this without too much pain. Even if there is suffering, it won't cause things to be better in the future.

[damntexdem]

3. If the economy crumbles and Americans suffer again ...

we will be brutish and mean about it. The human condition would only get worse. So, let's work on what we have and try to make it better.

[frebrd]

5. My greatest hope.......

that Humanity will destroy itself before it destroys every other species on Earth (or in the solar system)!

[stuntcat]

6. me too

My only hope is that the rest of the species will have a chance. Scientists say 40 a day are going extinct now.

People say to me "oh the Earth will take care of itself, the humans' era's pitiful but not so bad historywise" but yes it IS.. one species wiping out so many beautiful species is just sick.. there's pure hideous Evil in that, it's the only thing I feel sure about.

"What is the nature of a species that knowingly and without good reason exterminates another?" -George Small

[cobalt1999]

8. We are the equivalent of the Dinosaur killer asteroid impact.

We will probably take out 90% of the species; wipe out the forests, and deplete the oceans before the last of us starves off.

However, the Earth rebounded from previous mass extinctions; it'll rebound from us. Too bad for the species that go down with us.

[4 t 4]

10. I feel like Vincent van Gogh

and Paul Gauguin I have such contempt for my fellow human. I have such contempt for humanity. I know that is way harsh and I hope it will all change but that is truly how I have felt since I was about 14. Sorry all flame away.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

7. If You Truly 'Want' To Be Convinced, A Good Start Would Be Taking Your Blinders Off.

If all you search for around you is negativity, that is all you will find. If all you want to fixate on is negativity, than you will find no comfort.

Take your blinders off. Do that, and you will find that there far more beauty in this world and inherent within humanity than all the dark spots you've stated. One need just have an open and objective mind, while having the mental strength to overcome their flawed and impulsively negative perception.

[hfojvt]

9. I don't like the term 'better yourself'

In American society, it is typically equated with "making more money" or "having more status". Thus Tiger Woods is apparently "better than" me because he can hit a golf ball whereas I am a mere janitor. Somebody has to do the low status jobs, and why should they be considered somehow "worse" than folks who get "college degrees and then open up an office and charge big fees". To me, a "better" person is somebody who is kind, who is honest, who is patient, scholarly, intelligent, hard working, etc. or some combination of virtues. It is a good thing to be, even if society never shows its appreciation by conferring higher income or status for those qualities.

Second, I find your OP example to be confusing. Because Obama has a father from Africa, somehow "African Americans have risen from slavery to the Presidency". I think a disproportionate number of black people are still unemployed, still living in substandard housing that they don't own, and still working low wage, and low status jobs.