Because at the end of the 20th century, anything seemed possible. As it turns out in the 21th century, it is.
Those aren't even hard. And they are necessary. Except, they don't seem to be possible and you seem to be not paying attention.
http://www.voxeu.org/index.php?q=node/4508 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_the_United_States http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Educational_attainment.jpg http://www.enn.com/energy/article/37908 http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/ http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/12/061204-moon-...
Just give it enough time. The economy will recover, as will NASA's budget. Crime will keep falling. The "third world" is shrinking rapidly. Population growth will come to a halt. Renewable energy is already the primary source in some countries. Nature will adapt to the changing environment. etc.
It's just the information age that's bothering you, you're letting things get to your mind.