Is it a sign of the times of instability in our world today or an inability to control our future that brings mixed feelings of a sense of security wrapped up with fear? When Epoch Times reporters from Paris to Sydney asked locals, “Do you feel secure about the future?” they discovered while some people felt secure in general, others have great concern, if not for themselves, then for future generations.
Rosane Nobrega, 38, English Teacher
Yes and no. Yes, because we never expect that anything bad will happen to us, and we hope our dreams come true. And no, considering the wars, epidemics, violence, global warming, the threat of water shortages, all these things frighten me.
Antoine Dudouit, 21, Civil Engineering Student (holidaying in Australia)
Overall, yes, I feel secure, but not on the environment issue. There are many things actually being done, but it is not going fast enough. But I hope that we can find many things to improve this environment issue. That is what I am most afraid of.
Jessie Auer, 57, Customer Server Operator, Team Leader
Not so much for myself, but for future generations, there is a lot to worry about regarding global warming. We have too many skeptics out there now that don’t see that it’s happening. And for the younger generation, really somebody’s got to start to do something, and if we don’t, I think it’s going to be very hot in the future, really hard for people to live. And having a young grandchild I’d like see his future as good as what ours was.
Gabriel Moralez Lezcano, 40, Sales Manager
No, I don’t feel so. I see too much uncertainty and insecurity in this world. And not all the governments have got peace and freedom as their main objectives, so that is something to worry about. Also, I have to point to the fact that aside from the accelerated development of many countries in the last decades, still there are too many people in need and few combined long-term actions from the governments to solve this, which reveals also that it is not one of their priorities, so that is something to be worried about too.
Vera Novotna, 51, Chemical Technician
Hard to say... It’s quite a wide concept. It depends on the point of view-if you look at personal, working, or financial aspect. Generally, I’m not very sure I feel secure. Employment is unstable, and in the streets it is nothing special, too.
Zaneta Osinska, 23, Student of the Polish Literature and Psychology
I feel safe. The future is safe to me, because the future is the present and if I feel secure now, then I don’t see anything would change. And if there will be a problem, then it will be for a certain moment to be resolved. I am confident of the future and I don’t have to worry about something that does not exist.
Marina Macchio, 44, Librarian Assistant
I am fine because I have a stable job. Some people without a stable job don’t know what they can do in the future. I am preoccupied with the environment, because in our culture, we have not been sensible with nature and animals. I have my minimal necessity for life and what I love to do-my personal study and investigation of the oldest manuscripts. Due to the economical problem in our society, people feel how heavy the future is; they become discouraged. They feel the small support from the institution of the government, of the school, home and family.
Aysha Farheen, 19, Student
My optimism about myself makes me very sure about my future. I have faith in my God. I’m very lucky to have a very supportive family and friends’ circle and this ensures my secure future. Even if things don’t go my way, I’m very confident because I believe everything that happens, happens for good.
Aneby, Sweden
Annika Maschke, 30, Starting up a Horse Riding School
Right now, I am in a totally new situation. I am looking to start up my own business so I cannot answer yes or no to that question right now. It is difficult to know, quite simply.
Esse Hellberg, 23, Boutique Assistant
In general, I feel secure about the future. The only things that worry me some are the environmental issues. There are pollution, polar ices melting, the destruction of coral reefs and other things. Another worrying thing is the slaughter of chimpanzees. In the last hundred years, they have been reduced by almost 95 percent. I have read about a ruthless black market for tons of “bush meat” from rainforest animals, being smuggled through Heathrow in London. All for the money! If greed goes out of control that really is something to worry about.
Ishai ole Meishaa, 71, Retired Pharmaceutical Assistant, currently Businessman
Yes, I feel secure because we have work to do, especially agricultural work, and we can produce food for people locally and also for export. But as I am now 71, if I can live comfortably until my 80th, then I can say goodbye and die happily.
Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “Do you think there are too many rules or not enough in your country?”
Friends Read Free