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The first thing to say is that the world we live in is amazing. Just look up at a blue sky with white clouds drifting across it, or the stars at night. Or watch nature programmes about the diversity of life that has taken root on this small output in the universe.

Sadly, though, we homo sapiens seem intent on bringing ruin to all we encounter. so, with this in mind, here are the ten things that i most hate about the world we find ourselves living in:

1) Our treatment of other species:
We seem to insist that the world revolves around us and that the plight of all other species is of no consequence. It is only when the last tiger is shot or the last polar bear drowned that we will look back and mourn the destruction that we have allowed to occur.

2) Pollution:
This ties in with my first point but is also having dire consequences for our own species. Instances of kids being born with asthma or of people developing cancer are on an ever upward curve. It's hardly surprising with the pollutants that we emit into the atmosphere and the damage that we've done, amongst other things, to the protective ozone layer.

3) Greed:
Why do people insist of striving for more than they need? I heard that Britney Spears spent $60 million in one year. That's so obscene when there's so much poverty in parts of the world.

4) War:
Senseless and usually a case of men in power sitting far away from the danger and sending young men to fight and kill (and be killed) by another set of young men.

5) Organised Religion:
The cause of so much hatred and intolerance in the world. It has been used, consistently, over the years to foster a sense of difference between peoples and justify violence. Just look at how many wars or conflicts have caused or justified by war.

6) High street shopping:
Okay, we're getting onto the smaller irritants now! There's nothing worse than having to fight your way through swarms of shoppers, especially at Christmas time. Thank goodness for the invention of the Internet!

7) Reality TV:
Brainless rubbish. And so boring. The saddest thing about it is that there are so many people who evidently like nothing better than to watch a bunch of talentless nobodies sitting around in a house playing at being idiots.

8) Poor customer service:
Like when you've ordered a new computer and had to take a day off work to receive it. And the company tell you that they'll be with you by 5pm but then they don't turn up. And when you phone their helpdesk and five minutes past five you find that it closed at four!

9) The need to work a five day week:
Wouldn't it be better it we had a better balance between work and play? I think four days work and three days off would be a lot healthier.

10) People who don't believe they can make a difference:
It's very easy to criticise and say what's wrong with the world. However, things are never going to get better unless we all take actions to make this world a better place. You can start with small things like treating people the way you'd like them to treat you, and by recycling your rubbish. Small steps can make a difference.

So those are my personal ten grievances. Sometimes I'm pessimistic about the future of our world. At times it feels as if our species is a parasite and the health of our planet will only be restored if we become extinct. However, most days I believe in the positives that we have the potential to deliver. There are so many people out there who are trying to make a difference and who are great, so there is hope!

Learn more about this author, Simon Wright.
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