I am not too fond of styling myself after a comic book character...and my cape doesn't enable me to fly anyway
On the reasons for guarded optimism:
- looking back at all historic and literary precedents for the current situation, I am of opinion that we are not doing all that poorly, all things considered. We might not have particular advantages of other times and places, but the sum of them looks very good indeed -- by comparison with all other possibilities.
- I have found a small but motivated and resilient alliance on my side
- my estimate of what level of perfection in a society is achievable has changed, so my level of frustration with imperfections that do not directly threaten to kill me has eased
I think Prof. De la Paz (sp?) from "Moon is a Harsh Mistress" had expressed a similar sentiment in talking about being free in an imprefect society with constricting rules. I hope to learn to live on my own terms someday, and that quest stands a good probability of success.
I am also keeping myself to busy to fret: I teach others to shoot handguns and teaching myself to shoot rifle. I am learning to do my day job better. I spend time and effort helping others, parents, friends, others' kids. I am still armed and fairly alert, but I am living my life for itself rather than as a break before the final battle with evil.
I am sure better and wiser reasons will come to mind once I post this...might add more later.
