DC

Dalton Caldwell

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

I think it's weird to talk to young people and have them be pessimistic about the future, especially when we want to give them reasons to be optimistic.

MS

Michael Seibel

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

If all you do is read the news every day, you get bombarded with negativity, particularly around technology, which can skew your perspective on progress.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

The availability of information has drastically improved since the 90s; now, everything is just a search away, including free video content on platforms like YouTube.

MS

Michael Seibel

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Communication has become significantly better; we can now text and call anyone in the world for free, which is a huge improvement over the past.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Healthcare has improved, with people living longer and better lives, and a decrease in extreme poverty globally, which reflects a positive trend in society.

MS

Michael Seibel

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Entertainment is now abundant and accessible; there's an infinite supply of content available for free, limited only by your willingness to seek it out.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Looking back 20 to 30 years, it's clear that the advancements we've made in technology and society are earth-shatteringly awesome, even if they weren't obvious at the time.

MS

Michael Seibel

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

The launch of Starlink was a significant milestone, demonstrating that internet access from satellites is now a reality, which was once just an idea.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Experiencing self-driving technology firsthand, like getting into a Cruise car that drives itself, is a remarkable advancement that showcases how far we've come.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

We're going to look back at car accidents and think it was barbaric, similar to how we view surgeons who didn't wash their hands in the past.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Self-driving cars are seen as a divisive issue, even though they could significantly reduce the number of deaths caused by drunk driving.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Renewable energy options like hydroelectric and solar power are becoming more accessible and economically viable for many people in America.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

The transition from solar energy being viewed as the future in the 90s to it now being a commonplace reality is remarkable.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

The potential for rockets to make global travel possible in just 45 minutes is an exciting prospect that could change the world.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

The decreasing cost of launching payloads into space resembles Moore's Law, indicating a future filled with innovative possibilities in space exploration.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Despite advancements, people remain pessimistic due to a lack of perspective and the tendency to focus on political polarization and tribalism.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Expecting a world without trade-offs is unrealistic; every technological advancement comes with its own set of challenges.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

People often overlook the benefits of innovation by focusing solely on existing problems, which can hinder progress and optimism.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

It's essential to be optimistic and proactive in addressing societal issues, as many influential change agents were inherently optimistic about their efforts.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/22/23

@ Y Combinator

Your heroes should be those who took action rather than those who merely criticized the world; choose to be a doer, not a bystander.

Techno Optimism, Explained

Takeaways