Pessimism or Optimism?

[Civrules]

We have this argument in the chat that. WF keeps saying that being a pessimist is better because you don’t get depressed when there are bad news, but I argue that pessimists are depressed most of the time.
I’m an optimist at least.
What do you think?

 

[Double Barrel]

Pessimists die younger, but then they say that it is better that way because they don't have to suffer from old age!

I'd say optimists are better off, mainly because 1) life is too short, each day should be treated as a gift and lived to the fullest, 2) many (if not most) things in life are beyond our control, so why worry or get depressed over it, and 3) people want to be around you due to your cheery disposition (who wants to be around a perpetually downer?).

I'd say I fall somewhere in between...a moderate optimist grounded by a realistic expectations that something bad is always around the corner!

 

[Civrules]

Exactly!

 

[Free Enterprise]

Optimism is superior than pessimism. Many psychologists agree with this. It would be better to actually attempt to do things (which would be easier with optimism) than to loaf around depressed all the time (which is frequently with excessive pessimism).

 

[addiv]

Originally posted by Civrules
We have this argument in the chat that. WF keeps saying that being a pessimist is better because you don’t get depressed when there are bad news, but I argue that pessimists are depressed most of the time.
I’m an optimist at least.
What do you think?

I'm definitely an optimist too. I find the pessimist logic in the example you mentioned rather cowardly and apathetic. You're not going to get anywhere with such an attitude.

 

[toh6wy]

Usually when I listen to sad or depressing music, I get immersed in the song and I don't want to come out of this state until it's over, so I act and think like a pessimist - but I could snap out of it at any time I want, and cautious optimism is my true nature.

 

[Goober]

I am pessimistic about most thing, but they usually turn out to be better then I expect, like Grades, etc. I like to aim high, but think I am going to do badly, then be pleasantly surprised when I do well.

I am pessimistic, yes, but usually not overly depressed. Optimistic, what is there to be optimistic about?

 

[WillJ]

It depends, but I suppose I'm more optimistic than pessimistic.

 

[The Last Conformist]

When I'm being optimistic, I think I'm a pessimist.
When I'm being pessimistic, I think I'm a realist.

 

[covok48]

I think it's human nature to be pessimistic.

If something is bad it's easy to sulk and feel sorry for yourself.
If something is good you're just sure that it's only for a short while.

Optimism takes a lot of work. And is ever harder to work towards that optimism. Optimism makes you confident, more fun to be around, and less anal. It's worth it.

 

[Archer 007]

Pessimism for me!

 

[Moss]

Why not just be go in the middle and be a realist (not exactly sure if that would really be in the middle but...)

It depends on the situation on whether I decide to be optimistic or not. Some times the situations dictates the proper and usual mood.

 

[The Yankee]

You can't be disappointed if you're pessimistic.

That being said, I'm cautiously optimistic with a dash of pessimism. So yes, disappointment many times......how bittersweet it can be! Okay, I made the last phrase up.

 

[Manverulin]

[sarcasm]

Originally posted by Free Enterprise
Optimism is superior than pessimism. Many psychologists agree with this. It would be better to actually attempt to do things (which would be easier with optimism) than to loaf around depressed all the time (which is frequently with excessive pessimism).

Psht....! That's what they all say!


Bah, whatever... more people are probably optimistic anyways, I mean, c'mon, people expect you to be happy all the time, and they don't even know what it's like. Oh, now someone's probably gonna quote me and lecture me about how 'you shouldn't be pessimistic, it's bad for your health,' or 'Oh, well why don't you just leave with an attitude like that.' Well, maybe you should mind your own business. God, I need some room.

[sarcasm/]
























Actually, I'm more of an optimist than a pessimist. Although, I can be dangerously pessimistic or optimistic sometimes. Depends on how I feel about myself on that time and how others treat me. Right now, I'm optimistic! Yay!

 

[Silverflame]

Pessimism is better. When something bad happens, you are expecting it and the blow is softened. With optimism, the same thing happens, except with good news.

Say for example, you are almost about to miss a flight. If you're pessimist, you will be expecting to not be able to catch the flight. If you're optimist, you will be expecting to catch the flight. If you do catch the flight, the pessimist will be extremely, extremely happy because they thought all was lost when it really wasn't. The optimist would just only content because that was what they were expecting the whole time. If you miss the flight, the pessimist would have expected it, while the optimist will desperately search for some good news but fail miserably.

So I think pessimists are better, but the optimists have the cooler quotes...

Impossible is a word people say just to make themselves feel better when they quit.

 

[WildFire]

Originally posted by Civrules

What do you think?

I think you're a freak and always wrong as is everyone else.




(guess what I am)

 

[The Person]

Originally posted by Silverflame
Say for example, you are almost about to miss a flight. If you're pessimist, you will be expecting to not be able to catch the flight. If you're optimist, you will be expecting to catch the flight. If you do catch the flight, the pessimist will be extremely, extremely happy because they thought all was lost when it really wasn't. The optimist would just only content because that was what they were expecting the whole time.

I agree. It's just that the pessimist would then be worrying about the plane crashing, when the optimist would just enjoy the flight.

 

[Vancouver 2010]

Pessimists say "the glass is half empty."
Optimists say "the glass is half full."
I say "fill 'er up!"

 

[Margim]

Neither is ideal. I think Realism balanced with a healthy hope for the future probably works best. I tend to slide from realism to pessimism more often than not, though.

 

[raiderbob]

Expect the worst, you won’t be disappointed! Or surprised, fooled, nor taken as often as others.