Good discussion.

I think being pessimistic or optimistic has a lot to do with our perceptions and data exposure. If we call reality "normal" then pessimism or optimism could be seen as thinking something outside of what's normal either based on delusions or a lack of information. For me, having read books like Origins of Virtue and The Better Angels of Our Nature, I'd like to think I have an accurate view of humanity as it is today. I tell myself my story is accurate and rational based on the inputs I have, but in reality I'm probably skewing things based on my personal, subjective experiences. In the same way, someone could read all kinds of books about how great humanity is right now, but if their own lives are miserable, they will probably be pessimistic.

people need to start owning themselves and be free

I agree.

There won't be any room for brainless people who need permanent assistance in our future.

Ah, but compared to AI, won't we all be brainless? Using the philosophical veil of ignorance, I hope we take a more cautious approach here as any one of us could have been born less fortunate either genetically or environmentally.

I believe many people will struggle and won't be able to do it

This is a very real possibility. It's why I've been exploring blockchain-based UBI concepts. I also appreciate the many posts @dantheman wrote on the concept which I linked to here.

As for whether or not humans are the "top of the food chain" put there by God or if they evolved to dominate the top of the food chain, seems to me to be different words to describe the same result.

These humans would end up dominating as well, without developping tech or language.

I disagree. There are many species which are far more effective killers than humans (sharks, lions, etc), but we overcome them through our cooperation and technology. I don't think that's just my opinion, I think there's plenty of evidence to support this position.