We need to make pessimism uncool again

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We seem to have collectively decided that we must at all times pursue and project a sense of relentless, spirit-crushing pessimism. Not only will you sound careless and insensitive to all the suffering in the world if you say anything optimistic or upbeat, but you will also find yourself lacking gravitas and just sounding deeply uncool. 

Pessimists might think that their doom and gloom is helpful in motivating people to act, but many studies have shown the opposite is true.

People think pessimism is a call to action, a way to shake people out of their complacency – that if you tell them the world is ending then people are going to be spurred into action, they’re going to protest on the streets and they’re going to vote for the right party,...But the more catastrophist you are, the more you give people the idea that the window of opportunity has closed and there’s nothing to be done.

It is often said that “it’s the hope that kills you”, but it’s actually the lack of it that is genuinely fatal.

For qns on optimism/pessimism and RVHS Prelim AQ 2022....

Qn: ‘All you need to succeed in life is a positive attitude.’ How far would you agree? (Cam. 'O' lvl 2023)