renb8

renb8 t1_jdiyib1 wrote

Australia perspective - outlook is grim and I’m an optimist. Here’s why: Trade - supply chain issues - transport costs. Tourism - cost of travel to and from and high cost in Australia to see the whole country - large areas of Aust are damaged by extreme weather and still recovering EG floods. Immigration - despite being multicultural and having job vacancies, 9 years of conservative gov has seen the archaic White Aust Policy feel like it’s still active even though no longer ratified. Aust needs to rid itself of its redneckery.

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renb8 t1_j6nv8a7 wrote

A constant state of ‘happy’ has a range of zero. One feeling, all the time. Imagine one meal all the time. The mind-numbing soul destroying temperature of sameness. A meaningful life has range. Highs and lows, giving us comparative power, ability to measure, creating data for analysis. Range of feeling and emotion is more interesting and valuable. And paradoxically, I’m happy most of the time because I seek daily life beyond sameness. I indulge risk that creates struggle with uncertain outcomes. Sometimes I’m freaked out, others elated, some morbidly depressed. I love my capacity to feel and live intensely. That makes me happy. Pop culture ref: Repo Man (1984) Harry Dean Stanton as Bud “the life of a repo man is always intense”.

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renb8 t1_j6mi5iq wrote

Brings back a lot of memories. Still know the spiel off by heart. The sore knees, shame, guilt then penance. [shudder]

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