it turns out the author of Lord of the Flies, was an alcoholic who hated children.
You learn something new every day, don't you? To be fair, as someone who frequently imagines the worst just for sport, I can see why he would shun the much happier truth for a more fascinating fantasy.
I wish I knew an answer to why there's so much pessimism in this modern age, as it's something that's been on my mind a lot lately, as well. Maybe it's just a phase? Maybe, to take a more conspiratorial turn, it's more useful to keep people down and harrowed, since they're less likely to function well and develop? Truth is, I don't honestly know. I'm just trying to keep some optimism alive in myself (at least) despite all that.
PS: I missed your posts ;)