pessimist the point

Written by Cathoel Jorss, published 13 years ago

Pessimists (cynics) invariably believe they are ‘realists’ and therefore can smugly feel that optimists must sooner or later knuckle down ~ that is, be beaten down by ‘reality’ & ‘experience’ ~ and join them. I’ve realized the reason optimists know we are optimists is because it is jolly hard work. To assess the world truthfully ~ and garner experience, and learn from it ~ and still stay true to the knowledge of the essential goodness of most human hearts (check out your nearest toddler for example) ~ this is difficult and exacting. And it requires far more toughness & strength than merely retreating into the told-you-so comfort zone of Martin Seligman’s zinger “A pessimist would rather be right than be happy.”