Are we walking towards a dystopia?

[Doktor Howl]

We're already in it, and there's no going back.

I disagree on both counts.

It's gonna get worse, and it's not gonna last.

I am not sure that's a disagreement. We're already in it, and it's going to get worse. There's no going back, and it's not gonna last.

Yep.  Because the forces driving the dystopia aren't real.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

We're already in it, and there's no going back.

I disagree on both counts.

It's gonna get worse, and it's not gonna last.

I am not sure that's a disagreement. We're already in it, and it's going to get worse. There's no going back, and it's not gonna last.

Yep.  Because the forces driving the dystopia aren't real.

It's just us, demanding it. 

[Doktor Howl]

We're already in it, and there's no going back.

I disagree on both counts.

It's gonna get worse, and it's not gonna last.

I am not sure that's a disagreement. We're already in it, and it's going to get worse. There's no going back, and it's not gonna last.

Yep.  Because the forces driving the dystopia aren't real.

It's just us, demanding it. 

Yep.  Eventually, we'll get what we've been screaming for, and then our grandchildren will have to revolt and hang a bunch of bankers.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

We're already in it, and there's no going back.

I disagree on both counts.

It's gonna get worse, and it's not gonna last.

I am not sure that's a disagreement. We're already in it, and it's going to get worse. There's no going back, and it's not gonna last.

Yep.  Because the forces driving the dystopia aren't real.

It's just us, demanding it. 

Yep.  Eventually, we'll get what we've been screaming for, and then our grandchildren will have to revolt and hang a bunch of bankers.

There will come a time when the history books will say things like "Why didn't people stop it from happening?"

And no one will be left to explain that we didn't stop it because WE BEGGED FOR IT.

[Doktor Howl]

We're already in it, and there's no going back.

I disagree on both counts.

It's gonna get worse, and it's not gonna last.

I am not sure that's a disagreement. We're already in it, and it's going to get worse. There's no going back, and it's not gonna last.

Yep.  Because the forces driving the dystopia aren't real.

It's just us, demanding it. 

Yep.  Eventually, we'll get what we've been screaming for, and then our grandchildren will have to revolt and hang a bunch of bankers.

There will come a time when the history books will say things like "Why didn't people stop it from happening?"

And no one will be left to explain that we didn't stop it because WE BEGGED FOR IT.

We laugh at the Romans for putting lead in their plumbing.  I wonder what interesting things our descendants will laugh at us for, things that seemed totally harmless to us?

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

We're already in it, and there's no going back.

I disagree on both counts.

It's gonna get worse, and it's not gonna last.

I am not sure that's a disagreement. We're already in it, and it's going to get worse. There's no going back, and it's not gonna last.

Yep.  Because the forces driving the dystopia aren't real.

It's just us, demanding it. 

Yep.  Eventually, we'll get what we've been screaming for, and then our grandchildren will have to revolt and hang a bunch of bankers.

There will come a time when the history books will say things like "Why didn't people stop it from happening?"

And no one will be left to explain that we didn't stop it because WE BEGGED FOR IT.

We laugh at the Romans for putting lead in their plumbing.  I wonder what interesting things our descendants will laugh at us for, things that seemed totally harmless to us?

Corporations.

[Doktor Howl]

We're already in it, and there's no going back.

I disagree on both counts.

It's gonna get worse, and it's not gonna last.

I am not sure that's a disagreement. We're already in it, and it's going to get worse. There's no going back, and it's not gonna last.

Yep.  Because the forces driving the dystopia aren't real.

It's just us, demanding it. 

Yep.  Eventually, we'll get what we've been screaming for, and then our grandchildren will have to revolt and hang a bunch of bankers.

There will come a time when the history books will say things like "Why didn't people stop it from happening?"

And no one will be left to explain that we didn't stop it because WE BEGGED FOR IT.

We laugh at the Romans for putting lead in their plumbing.  I wonder what interesting things our descendants will laugh at us for, things that seemed totally harmless to us?

Corporations.

Yep.  They're an environmental factor, too.

[Salty]

Oh man I can't wait for d..DYStopia?
Aw, man, I read that wrong.
First thing I thought when I saw the OP (not read it, mind you. Though I have since)

[NewSpag]

No. We are marching towards a Utopia.  You just haven't realised it yet.

[AFK]

Well, I guess I take more of a biocentric view of this.  Humankind, I think it is safe to say, has an expiration date, regardless of what societies do or don't do. 

I also think, as with any kind of species, scarcity of resources, and competition for those scarce resources, is going to cause all kinds of bad news.  I mean, that is really what is at the heart of all this, whether we want to call it a dystopia, or just part of the human condition.

Now, I don't say this to suggest or promote a general acceptance of the state of humankind societies. 

Indeed, we should continuously be looking to improve situations, to improve the lot of life for more of human kind.  But to take the 1,000,000 ft view, it is pretty much impossible to ever guarantee comfortable lives for all.  Not when there are 7 or 8 Billion of us running around this rock.  I say this not to suggest picking and choosing who to help or who not to help.  Not at all.  I say this for perspective and to not miss targets while shooting for the moon. 

I personally think labeling it as a "dystopia", might miss the point.  It's a continuing evolution of the competition for resources.  And as always, those with the might, as we all well understand, win the spoils. 

There are many opportunities to effect change, but it is small "c" change.  Big C, Change, massive global change, I think, is just not possible.  Not without a strong, unified, AND MASSIVE, network of change agents. 

I think the challenge lies in the fact that the rationing and control of resources has become globalized, but the efforts to ensure more equitable access and distribution have not gone global.  It is pocket resistance against a monster that spans continents.  The playing field, obviously, is very lopsided.

So what can we do?

I guess, where possible, plug into whatever global efforts for change may exist, however scarce they may be.  Simultaneously, continuing to focus on our own communities.  Look for opportunities for positive change within the framework that we have.  Going to your local school board meeting to holler at school board members who are suggesting poor kids don't need free lunches.  It doesn't stop the march to the "dystopia", it doesn't defeat The Machine, but it might put a few more soldiers on the field fighting for our side.  (Not to mention the obvious benefit of having more kids who are well fed and able to focus on their education.)

This requires sustained effort, an unwavering commitment.  This requires creativity.  And it definitely requires patience.  Work the margins.  Locally it can seem hopeless, but there is always the hope of cumulative impact. 

But we get nowhere staring into the charred black voids. 

[Oysters Rockefeller]

No. We are marching towards a Utopia.  You just haven't realised it yet.

This.

Or actually, if I'm being 100% honest, we're probably not moving in any one direction. I mean, war and corrupt politics have always been a thing. But we are very slowly fading out old prejudices and establishing a new civil rights.

On the other hand, I can't look out into the world without going "Jesus FUCK we are all going to die."

Probably for every horrible step backwards we take, there is a similar step forward. Although, in the long, long, long run we're all going to be screwed without question. Like RWHN pointed out, humankind has an expiration date.

Or I'm just an asshole.

[Doktor Howl]

No. We are marching towards a Utopia.  You just haven't realised it yet.

How many millions will have to die to make this utopia work out?

But they don't count, right?  Eggs/omelets/etc.

[Cainad (dec.)]

No. We are marching towards a Utopia.  You just haven't realised it yet.

"Utopia," only in the sense that there won't be any people around to fuck things up and be horrible to each other. Because there won't be any people.

[Cain]

No. We are marching towards a Utopia.  You just haven't realised it yet.

I'll buy that....if we're talking about the literal translation of Utopia.

[Phox]

No. We are marching towards a Utopia.  You just haven't realised it yet.

I'll buy that....if we're talking about the literal translation of Utopia.

I'll agree there.