Lawrence O'Donnell's advice about choosing optimism needs to be taken with a grain of salt

[RidinWithHarris]

There is such a thing as excessive optimism. Optimism is best tempered by realism.

The downside of a ‘Pollyanna’ approach is indeed supported by the literature. For example, Chipperfield et al. (2019) found that overly optimistic forecasting was related to reduced psychological wellbeing and a greater risk of death.

Similarly, Forgeard and Seligman’s (2012) review suggests that ‘unmitigated and unrealistic optimism’ may lead to a range of undesirable outcomes. Of course, it’s not healthy to always expect the worst-case scenario, but by nurturing realistic optimism, we can search for “positive experiences while acknowledging what we do not know and accepting what we cannot know” (Schneider, 2001, p. 253).

So, go ahead and practice optimism, but make sure it is balanced with a good dose of flexibility and realism.

[W_HAMILTON]

1. Been around DU much? As if we have a problem with excessive optimism!

[MissB]

4. Fitzmas?

Yup

[W_HAMILTON]

6. If you have to go back two decades, I think you prove my point.

Last edited Tue Nov 5, 2024, 07:34 AM - Edit history (1)

[RidinWithHarris]

9. There's the Mueller report too, more recently

Which in actual substance was pretty damning, but none of us predicted how Bill Barr would ratfuck how the report was perceived.

[RidinWithHarris]

5. There are scattered pockets of excessive optimism...

...here and there amid the rending of garments and gnashing of teeth. 😄

[dchill]

2. Jack Reacher's philosophy: Hope for the best...

...Plan for the worst.

[roscoeroscoe]

7. Good reference!

Be ready with that straight right to the face.

[milestogo]

3. Cheer up!

[bahboo]

8. bubbles up...