The Future Will Be Shaped by Optimists | Kevin Kelly | TED

"Every great and difficult thing has required a strong sense of optimism," says editor and author Kevin Kelly, who believes that we have a moral obligation to be optimistic. Tracing humanity's progress throughout history, he's observed that a positive outlook helps us solve problems and empowers us to forge a path forward. In this illuminating talk, he shares three reasons for optimism during challenging times, explaining how it can help us become better ancestors and create the world we want to see for ourselves and future generations.
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• The Future Will Be Sha...
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[@marcusreynolds9491]

We should be optimistic not because we believe that our problems are smaller than we thought. We should be optimistic because we believe that our capacity to solve problems is greater than we thought.

[@Marlin123]

My school project needed me to have an opinion on a ted talk and this comment is PERFECT

[@maijamiikkola5427]

3:35

[@maijamiikkola5427]

​@@Marlin1233:54 3:56

[@maijamiikkola5427]

​@@Marlin1234:19

[@BlahstarRecords]

🗣️🗣️🗣️

[@IamYeshua2.0]

Bad things happen faster than good things. Good stuff takes longer. VERY well said.

[@raj5999]

bad is easy , hard is good

[@chrisbrown-jw4ce]

both bad and good can take time it takes time to make many bad decisions to ruin a company, or takes time to make many good decisions to make a good company. but certainly with catastrophe yes it can happen quickly.

[@jamespr1747]

"No problems, no progress" What a great quote.

[@taylorhorne1046]

this is everything. everything correct and more. people my age (gen z) never understand when i say I'm an optimist. it isn't delusion; its hope, that in the face of all the problems in the world, there's opportunity to correct them and progress, all while embracing and relishing the solutions that have crafted the present.

[@johnkesich8696]

And ignoring the psychopaths who are frog marching us into a bright fascist future. Time for the unicorns to start signing about the power of positive thinking? Or maybe an infomercial about healing crystals?

[@MountainGirlwIPA]

As a gen xer , I totally agree.

[@taylorhorne1046]

@@johnkesich8696 sigh, you don’t quite get it. but i pray that one day you will 🥰 with the potential of a very awry and dim future, there’s the potential of a very bright and fulfilling one right next to it.

[@moblue2899]

Ok. Be whatever you are but dont procreate. Because your kids might not be as "optimistic" as you are. And they shouldnt be forced to fight for food when you are gone from this world with your optimism

[@taylorhorne1046]

@@moblue2899 kindly, don’t tell me what to do :) because here’s the thing: the mental turmoil that my generation has faced was fueled by the pessimistic seed planted by our parents. by assuming impending doom, we have placed little worth in our future. i trust my ability to feed my kids, and i don’t need an internet stranger to doubt that, thanks. 🤍

[@PkmnMasterHolly]

This speech was so beautifully inspiring. Let's all be better ancestors for the future children!!

[@vx8952]

Yes, this was amazing and I'm so happy we have people to inspire us to be good ancestors! :)

[@adarshsv30]

.

[@thattimestampguy]

Goal: persuade Truth: problems exist 0:43 Difficult things have been accomplished before If you don’t believe, you won’t do Imagination can create a belief 1:49 Optimism can begin to get man to change the world 2:57 Incremental Improvement (complex subject) 4:04 % of good, % improvement 5:13 Civilizational Cooperation and Trust We benefit from previous generations [Helpful] Ancestors 6:40 Furthers Capability 7:37 Problems are chances to become a Problem Solver Being a problem solver - good Solving a problem - good Doing it the wrong way - bad 9:38 A Power (from within, from I)

[@UncompressedWAVmusic]

This talk sounds good to me. I am an eternal optimist. There are blessings in every moment. There is good in every situation. The optimist could find it the pessimist can find the problems. I want more good situations so that is my focus and that is what I get. You get what you focus on. Speaking about what you don't want attracts it.

[@sarahbei]

how does your statement that "speaking about what you don't want attracts it" fit with his statement that "optimists embrace problems" and "problems are the conduit of progress"?

[@soumyabratachakraborty7283]

I liked your thought that pessimists can identify problems and optimists can seek to mitigate it.

[@bitkurd]

There are no problems out there it's only our perception that makes them look like problems, By realizing that problems and obstacles are they way, overcoming them makes you grow mentally, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually which in today's terms, we call it evolution

[@GSCSTRYDER]

Correct! We need to be positive people. Stop looking at what's old and fading and look at how bright our future will be.

[@ajiari7303]

The video says that there is a reason why we should be optimistic about the future, and this may be a very difficult thing to do when we are facing extraordinary problems. I really agree with that statement, when we are faced with a very extraordinary problem we will feel pessimistic to solve the problem, especially for unusual people to face extraordinary problems. We can overcome this starting from our own intentions, because if we are sure of our efforts, then we will be able to solve them. Then we have to believe in ourselves, with confidence we will believe that we can do it without thinking about things that might not happen. Bad things will happen faster than good things, because good things take a long time to happen.

[@crackerjacksimpson5839]

that's badass he threw in "this is the way" at the end. a nice little Easter egg for us mandalorian fans

[@ScottWaring]

I am the Madeolorian, weapons are my religion. This is the way.

[@yadanarkyaw284]

Thanks, for your discussion. I must keep your words in my heart. Problems are smaller than our thoughts. So amazing.

[@lucaciao1813]

This is one of the greatest TedTalk I ever watched. Every single word make sense, inspiring you to hope in a better future, things which looks impossible today.

[@annadobysh1420]

It's a gripping way to seek the solution in each situations. Your explanation of the core of the problem is amazing. By improving something we can damage other things, create the problem in new field. That only optimism can lead us through all problem and help us to find new opportunities in life. When there is a goal, there is a way.

[@francoismaritz89]

This is the way.

[@JermaineWV]

With the current affairs like the climate crises and the current war that could turn an atomic one I come back to this channel. This gives me a glimmer of hope for humanity.

[@marcelasantander7457]

Great! A wise and generous man indeed. Shows a good way to the humankind to follow.

[@redbarchetta8782]

And yet a large swath of people are still living in the past. Let's hope this changes.

[@bz3086]

Red, You have a missing sibling you ought be looking for 😂

[@soumyabratachakraborty7283]

People need to hear this more. We need to cooperate and need to solve global problems cohesively. And progress for the sake of it should be condemned, we need more long term solutions

[@motivationeyes2852]

*Everyone who reads this, we don't know each other and probably never will but I wish you all the best in life and all the luck in the world* ...........

[@anonymouslearner2454]

Wish the same for you Thank you for making inspiring compilations 💛

[@SourovKabirII]

i think cherishing optimism and pessimism can be viewed in one way -- seeing possibilites. negative possibilites make us think about to be different, after change we become optimistic about our new condition.

[@pato7274]

Bravo 👏‼️. I am outlining this for future reference on my 3rd view. Brilliant and dovetails with James Clear’s ATOMIC HABITS. ❤️ it and the idea of compound interest. The presentation was perfect also

[@Moompl]

I live by the motto - “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”

[@filsdejeannoir1776]

0:38 We should be REALISTIC with optimism. Being merely optmistic isn't enough.

[@mrandersen6872]

More like channel that optimism into making the future better.

[@matdddd]

We need more optimism. So that the general population doesn’t get fatigue from all these whiny people on the Internet complaining about everything.

[@Pinkdaimonddragon]

I believe we can shape the future. It will take most of us to do it.

[@chrisbrown-jw4ce]

lets hope that we can also learn from past mistakes otherwyse the future will not be an improvment.

[@aminasnaei]

The best TED @ this time of depression and confusing times .🙏

[@LukeVanGeest]

I honestly think that optimism has been used over millennia. Think about all of the doctors that made the life saving techniques that our world has used!

[@eternalskeptic]

Exactly, think about how everybody was willing to get a vaccine to prevent further spread of an epidemic oh wait...

[@jimdandytheboss]

This outlook is itself optimistic.

[@bhargavpandya9189]

Mind blowing talk!

[@nayemaprosonshita2291]

no problem,no progress ❤

[@nickygood3342]

Absolutely fabulous :) Thank you.

[@user-mo1gq5re1c]

No problem,no progress,what a great sentence!!

[@rickharold7884]

Awesome. All is possible !!

[@mariavbritez7737]

Great!! Really really great!!

[@derekholland3328]

awesome talk.

[@MrBowling35]

Outstanding video. Thank you Kevin. Optimists are definitely realist based on the past achievements.

[@jeeson123]

Great inspiration...

[@IamYeshua2.0]

Optimism is the same as Faith. Keep the faith. Believing in what we cannot physically see, but if you can vision it, then your faith will push you to see it through.

[@dirkscholten9995]

Well said! Optimists with FAITH will change the world...even though good things take TIME, we can all combine together to make things a little better than it was before...with FAITH (Optimism and Trust) we can do all things... F AITH A lways I nvolves T rust in YOUR H igher power ❤😊❤

[@rws531]

No. Faith can be optimistic but they aren’t the same. A person can have faith that those who have committed perceived evils/sins will be punished, which is not optimistic. I know people of faith who use their beliefs as reason to not take action as they have faith things will sort themselves out on their own. The more general “optimism” and faith are often aligned but not the same.

[@mpramd]

very well said

[@slyktech1860]

If you want the future to be good make it so.

[@LuisVargas-ih5vm]

Solid video, interesting stocks as well that I will have to look into.. As a value investor, I am certainty using this time to double down on high quality, long-term value investments ... Once in a blue moon type deal where we get these big blue chips on such steep discounts!

[@viviangall1786]

The best way to find growth stocks, key features to keep in mind is as follows: 1. Ensure gross margins are greater than 50% 2. Ensure P/E ratio is less than 100 3. Buy companies that are PROFITABLE, very important irrespective of sector. 4. Debt to equity ratio is less than 30% 5. Current ratio is above I 6. and a Float under 100 million One stock that fits the bill is FLGT (Fulgent)

[@billackman5620]

As a new investor it's always great to hear from a person who has gone through all the difficult times and come ahead of it. It's unnerving to see your portfolio go from green to red but as mentioned if you have invested in quality names just have to keep adding to them and stay the course.

[@chrismillson2779]

I always believed in long term Investment as a savings vehicle for retirement. As I am a passive investor, my day job does not allow me to monitor stocks movement actively, DCA is the only way. Or else, if I have a bigger capital pot I have to engage a Financial Advisor like [ Nicole Deanne Mckay look her up] who has made me understand that you must have a strategy. So i do not worry about short term performance that's why i follow her trades. Q2 of 2022 i have accrued just north of 26k in my portfolio.

[@chrismillson2779]

That first 100$k is the hardest, from there your money works for you. Look her up on the net. She has an official web-page.

[@tellingfoxtales]

Then you should be involved with web3 protocols, where the asset has integral function to the business, rather than stocks which merely represent legal rights.

[@Gamma3]

Amazing

[@abiabi6733]

it clearing my mind

[@christianorduno6584]

loved!!!!!

[@DeenSomally]

Powerful

[@listen2meokidoki264]

Optimism is not an island.

[@terrifictomm]

Coin that word! "Protopia"!! What a reasonably optimistic concept.

[@maxwelldillon4805]

Progress isn't made with pure optimism, you need some pessimism as well. If you dispose of it completely, you will harm yourself. And your blind optimism will make you believe that everything is going fine, when it isn't.

[@edimarsousa9038]

I believe that Mr Kevin referred to using optimism when adversity begins to appear.

[@sachinpandeyatd]

getting harmed is not a bad thing, though

[@manoukirishanning]

Isn't that realism?

[@aurorealis3249]

Logic and empiricism is the basis for this Ted Talk. There is another component that makes an optimistic future viable and real - "accountability." This is one quality sadly missing in our current culture. Our ancestors were forced to make generational sacrifices (think depression and world wars). Our current culture demands one's needs are paramount over the needs of the greater whole only to create true narcissist and a denigrating culture of rot. There is hope with awareness, personal accountability and... to give back more than we take.

[@chrisbrown-jw4ce]

much to be optimistic about but I think the world needs to account of what has been done and where we are now to not continually repeat the obvious mistakes that we have made.

[@filmawayvlad]

Indeed!

[@gokselbilici605]

Good things take time where bad things happen fast. This is the reason the world seem worse but the ability of being human will make the world better. We hope ;)

[@chrisbrown-jw4ce]

Bad things also take time gradual carbon emissions and climate change did not happen quickly, Perhaps bad things seem more powerful as they require more immediate attention a problem that needs addressing now. If your boat is leaking water you dont sit back and congratulate yourself on all the good rowing you did, you start bailing.

[@gokselbilici605]

@@chrisbrown-jw4ce Yes, you have a point. However, generally speaking the entropy related rule of physics indicate that too :D You can't grow a tree or raise a children or build a structure immediately but you can kill/destroy them instantly. From your example, you can instantly create carbon dioxide by burn things, which is one the factors in climate change, but you can't use carbon dioxide to create such as food, that will need time my friend.

[@chrisbrown-jw4ce]

@@gokselbilici605 well thought out response assuming the TED talk was about physics which I dont think was the case, I agree catastophy happens fast as you have illustrated, both good and bad things in the world can take time building business, or economies take time political change takes time things get better slowly and can get worse slowly over time due to poor decision.

[@gokselbilici605]

@@chrisbrown-jw4ce I just want to make a physics reference, that was it :) Yeah I guess I got your point. You are right, especially in big scale changes.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

I was an energetic, amazingly awesome, productive, unique optimist for three decades. After my 4th decade on Earth... umm... no, thanks. 2012-2022 has just been nothing but awfulness for me. I concede. Existence beat me. I tried, I worked hard, I was amazing, but... I LOST. And there's no coming back from a 10-year streak of losses. That's just what we label a 'loser'. That is me (if 10 consecutive years of losing counts as that). In order for others to win, SOMEone has to lose. I'm not winning, so... I'm the loser. 💪😎🤟 Plain and simple. 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨

[@dwupus8661]

You may just be comparing yourself to your past self. You’re constantly changing in ways far more complex than simply being more or less optimistic. That’s just one little sliver of your being. I’m sure you’re still amazingly awesome!

[@pdwang1191]

With optimism,we can use it as a power to kind of create the future that we want.With optimism,our ancesters created everyting we had today,but it also brought us some problems.We should ues optimism as a power to solve the problems and create the new world for us and future generations.

[@n0_n0]

Gold. Wish everyone could watch this ✨

[@anodyne95]

Life would be wower

[@StarBoundFables]

This is the way 😃 We are the ancients of future generations ☮️♥️🌐

[@hakanturkmen7277]

This is the way

[@flowerofash4439]

the news and media is the killer of your optimism

[@isaimathias]

I guess I'm an optimist.

[@ManaviMenon]

"This is the Way!"

[@TrustVisuals]

at 9:45. What a missed opportunity from the audience. They should have replied back "This is the way".

[@distrinya3584]

GOOD TALK :-)

[@aero1000]

The future will be shaped by people that find succes and impact despite obvious shortcomings, downsides etc. These are people that understand the difficulties and disrupt industries knowing there is a long challenging road ahead. They find the right path by relentless pursuit and trial and error. I believe these disruptive people CANNOT be called optimists, an optimist hopes that everything is going to turn out right, a pessimist looks at things and sees that there is a good chance something is not going to work, so says it will likely not. If you want to make real change, know that it is not easy, and will likely not happen the first time. But keep pursuing your path to what you consider succes. Through trial and error you will persevere. Good Luck.

[@bonniesmith5698]

Another title could be “Compounded Goodness, why the world keeps getting better (actually)”

[@aperson2730]

Reminds me of a quote I once read, namely, the future belongs to those with the most beautiful dreams

[@juliedavis9399]

Collective optimism

[@bz3086]

Julie, Drink-the-punch optimism 😂

[@64standardtrickyness]

I'm not an optimist but just reading that bread during the French revolution cost 1/2 a workers daily wage or that servants in medival times slept on a truckle bed or that it was common for a family to share one bed makes me appreciate the world we live in.

[@eternalskeptic]

We're going to miss it when it's gone.

[@256k_]

@@eternalskeptic there are literally millions of people that are still living this way and suffering from climate change enabled catastrophies because of the first world luxuries you're talking about .

[@brentsingletonphoto]

THIS IS THE WAY.

[@collinschultz3868]

Truth

[@Wanderor2003]

This is the way. // I wonder if Kevin Kelly watched The Mandalorian and said it as a funny reference to current pop culture, but it made me smile anyhow. Anyhow: totally agree. Excellent summary, to the point, that optimism, progressism and recognizing historical progress is rational.

[@turtleboy1188]

No

[@DanDCool]

Right

[@gjuselon9058]

People should be optimistic about the future. Crd Elon

[@yamyefet4250]

why not be optimists and progress the future ?

[@1111MeditationPortal]

Our future is what we feel and believe now.

[@patmoran5339]

The future depends on what we think and do now. We do not know the specifics though. If we did we would be working to create more problems because of the that solution. However, mere meditation (indistinguishable from nonspecific prayer) does not get us one jot closer to problem-solving and problem creating action. Mere contemplation is not enough.

[@1111MeditationPortal]

@@patmoran5339 Yes, you're right but remember that our minds tend to be negative that's why we should consciously control it by doing meditation (to empty our minds), being optimistic, and watching our inputs from our senses.

[@patmoran5339]

@@1111MeditationPortal How does an empty mind control itself? How do you watch your inputs from your senses if your mind is empty?

[@HuynhVietDa]

❤️

[@Back_Fire2468]

💯

[@FactsfromWeb]

Yaa, great

[@commenter6472]

👏👏👏

[@EryPrihananto]

Optimist always won than pesimist.

[@notagain3732]

Strengthen your memory , focus then read more and soon you will know enough to help increase the rate your goals are getting closer to you

[@jedilady4485]

For an academic, he is right... Utopia cannot be possible because there are no problems. In a universal spiritual view, our law is to evolve, and the only way to do that is to have problems to solve and change things!

[@patmoran5339]

What is a "universal spiritual view" and are you saying that "academics" usually don't know about some things that are important to you?

[@jedilady4485]

@@patmoran5339 Laws of the Universe! We are spiritual energy beings having a human body experience and not the other way around. One more thing I need to mention, there is also a Scientific view of things. All of these perspectives are VALID and is beautiful to observe since we are all connected anyways... we are all one!

[@patmoran5339]

@@jedilady4485 Human imagination created Gods. It could not possibly be the other way round.

[@SnerMerNer]

I'm way too pessimistic for this talk to affect me in any positive way lol

[@johnmorgan4878]

This is my first time ever that I write the first comment on KZbin

[@MCDMaker]

Amazin! You were too slow though

[@dylanbadger4808]

Funny how what he is saying is we should actually stay in between optimism and pessimism

[@ningom6975]

This talk was so impressive. Solutions and problems are like a consecutive chain. If we are optimists, we gonna try to find out solutions autonomously. However, if we are pessimists, I think we gonna be good at finding out problems. Needless to say, being optimist is a better option for our life!!!

[@_S-O-S_]

The world has passed its tipping point… The future is bleak at best. We have no one to blame but ourselves…😡

[@perceivedvelocity9914]

Modern humans came to dominate the world because of climate change. The last ice age opened the door for our ancestors to succeed. Humans are survivors. Our descendants will hate us for the world that we created but they will survive and overcome.

[@daisyorozco4252]

😂

[@anonymouslearner2454]

😞😔

[@illygah]

Prototopia! Kevin! Prototopia a prototype first and then unionize into a utopia second?

[@pdwang1191]

I think it's hard to be a optimist.Firstly, the people's attitude to face awful things may be have a great difference,due to the different growth background that they experienced.Secondly,the books,information and other knowlege they contacted formerly,all of these will shape one's ideology.

[@kennyded]

Money talks and it's how things get done. If people want change they vote with their dollar and if enough people want it market forces will make that dream possible.

[@mikeflair6800]

Singing to the choir here, kind of obvious to me. Leaders MAKE things happen, they always have. Leaders are optimists, they have to be. IMO, optimists are much more preferable to pessimists.

[@asseltee]

We must be realists and know that the original Paradise can be regained simply by all of us cooperating and collaborating and discard all controlling. When we enjoy the process of UNCIVILIZATION LEADING EVERYONE TO A SLAVERY(WORK) FREE LIFE. WE CAN SIMPLY ENJOY THE FRUITS AFTER THE LABOUR OF CREATING AS MANY GARDEN OF EDENS AS NEEDED!!!! A LIFE OF ENJOYING INSTEAD OF SLAVING!

[@johnkesich8696]

So reassuring that the future will be shaped by optimists, it currently seems to be shaped by psychopaths.

[@antinatalope]

The future is always shaped by optimists. Anyone who sees how absurd the world is, wouldn't try to shape it.

[@raffisandoval9103]

so that's why! he's mandalorian

[@kauigirl808]

Thats what I'm afraid of.

[@vesawuoristo4162]

Not too optimistic, have to take reality into consideration.

[@DuncanRawlinson]

based

[@eru7237]

0:04

[@bryansmith7706]

I agree the optimism creates progress. But I totally disagree with, problems don’t imped progress. When there’s already progress, and some politician, comes by to strip away that progress, that would be impeding progress.

[@tomisqi2731]

“People are problem solvers: creators of the unsustainable solution and hence of the next problem. In the pessimistic conception, that distinctive ability is a disease for which sustainability is a cure. In the optimistic one, sustainability is the disease and people are the cure.” D. Deutsch on The Beginning of Infinity