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Wilddog73 t1_j2swsx9 wrote

Reply to comment by Rethious in Look on the dark side | We must keep the flame of pessimism burning: it is a virtue for our deeply troubled times, when crude optimism is a vice by ADefiniteDescription

I don't even disagree that blind faith/"toxic optimism" is an issue. I just don't think devolving into full-on pessimism has served anyone very well, especially judging by my experiences in social media over time.

As has been discussed elsewhere, pessimism has had good effects, but not in and of itself.

Optimism should be honed by skepticism/criticism. So we can identify and feel optimistic in a realistic path forward.

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Rethious t1_j2sz7wc wrote

I think it’s important to distinguish pessimism from being critical or skeptical.

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Wilddog73 t1_j2sznfu wrote

You're right. I should've said honed by criticism/skepticism. Edited.

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WNEW t1_j2v0t6j wrote

Full on Pessimism is an asethetic for folks in the first world

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