How to tell whether we are in a bull market or a bear market?

A lot of posts have appeared on here this year mostly telling us that we are in a bull market. Some posts say we're still in a bear market. Other posts ask whether we should start buying alts again. Most on here seem convinced that since the new year the market has turned upwards and headed for a bull run. Bitcoin has moved up toward the important $30,000 resistance level and Ethereum has also performed strongly. Even some of the alts are starting to move. So are we in a bull or bear?

I think the answer has already been provided by the comments made to these previous posts on whether we're in a bull or bear and should we be buying alt coins? 99% of comments to these posts advise people to stick to Bitcoin and Ethereum. These are the only safe bets we are assured. Alt coins are described as risky bets and should be avoided. Lots of commenters claim alt coins will never recover from present lows. Some eve say that lottery tickets are less risky than investing in alt coins. The rare comments in support of alts are voted down and comments praising Bitcoin are voted up.

Compare that to how this sub behaved in 2021 during the last bull run when alt coins were constantly being shilled enthusiastically and getting upvotes.

So the conclusion is that we will know we are back in a bull run when we see positive posts and comments about alt coins again. Until then we remain in a bear.