When I was young, I used to believe that the world was getting better all the time, that eventually all the people would be as educated as me, and as well-off, and peace would be obvious as a way of life. The Russians and Chinese would just come to realize that capitalism was the best way, and conflicts would be settled by discussion. And the poor places of the Earth would be illuminated by the same kind of people that were missionaries in the early days. I really believed in 'Give Peace A Chance' And I'd be able to ride to the moon as a paying passenger in my (healthy) lifetime. I learned that ignorance and evil are much more durable than anyone believed.