Cause for Optimism

I had a few hopeful thoughts cross my mind while walking the dog and chatting this evening with daughter AHB. First, my flashlight. It is a 2nd generation Black & Decker snakelight, which hangs nicely around one's neck, leaving both hands free for leash-holding and poop-scooping functionality. This flashlight's predecessor served nobly for years (in fact still works) but it had an incandescent bulb which consumed a fair amount of juice. Using NiMH rechargeables, I would get maybe a week or two between recharges with daily use. The newer flashlight has LED bulbs, which consume next to zero electricity. I have not changed or recharged the batteries in months. I don't even remember whether the batteries are alkaline or NiMH.
So, I don't know, that just makes me feel hopeful. I feel that we face a lot of challenges, but we also potentially have a lot more effective ways of meeting them. LED vs. incandescent is not huge in itself, but I think it is emblematic of the transformational nature of technological changes which can empower all of us.
The other hopeful thought I would like to share is a strange one: Harriet Myers. Just as LED vs. incandescent is emblematic of transformational technological change, I am hopeful that in coming days the best and brightest minds will be elevated into decision-making positions to make meaningful changes in public policy, and we won't be straight-jacketed by the dogmatic, ideological and reactionary dimbulbs of recent years. Just think, the man who proposed Harriet Myers as a supreme court justice has actually been president of our country for almost eight years.
I can't help but think that things are going to get better.