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WallyMetropolis t1_j2sxjmr wrote

Nonsense. Humans have been convinced they are living in the end times at every point in history. Doom and gloom has always been the popular stance.

If people don't believe progress is possible, they won't work towards it.

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Wilddog73 t1_j2szijb wrote

Yes. Blind faith can be dumb, but optimism and a more positive headspace does wonders.

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[deleted] t1_j2tjik7 wrote

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WallyMetropolis t1_j2tmnqg wrote

It's pretty simple. There have always been optimists, and cynicism has always been popular.

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[deleted] t1_j2tnlz0 wrote

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WallyMetropolis t1_j2tpoz1 wrote

No, that would be a weird over-generalization. I'm just contesting the idea that history was defined by broad optimism, or that optimism has been a constantly, hugely popular position for people right up until the present moment. That's false.

And I'm also saying there's value in optimism.

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[deleted] t1_j2tqf1h wrote

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WallyMetropolis t1_j2tu5av wrote

You are reading my comment as saying that 100% of everyone thought it was the end times and also that 100% of all progress is made by optimists. That's not what I think and any person making any kind of attempt at a generous reading would never assume that's what I think.

I'm saying that the person claiming that all of human history was marked by prevalent, toxic optimism is incorrect. That's not the case. Historically, cynicism has always been extremely popular. I'm also claiming that optimists are generally more effective and bringing about progress.

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[deleted] t1_j2tx80j wrote

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WallyMetropolis t1_j2wt95s wrote

But it's only a contradiction if it's saying that extremist version. Unless I claimed that everyone was a pessimist, and only optimists can make progress, then noting that progress has been made isn't a contradiction.

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Trumpfreeaccount t1_j2tosy8 wrote

He does and he realizes how dumb that sounds so he rephrased it cryptically.

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Wilddog73 t1_j2u0pa3 wrote

Behold, a prime specimen: A pessimist gives up before even trying to understand what confuses him.

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jason_square t1_j2v5w66 wrote

You know, it gets really annoying when people hide in optimism. Optimism ends up being only denial

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WallyMetropolis t1_j2wu5pt wrote

It's not remotely denialism and it's not at all hiding. Activists are by their nature optimists because they believe change is possible.

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[deleted] t1_j2tkd9r wrote

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