My stance has shifted somewhat; We should absolutely feel pessimistic about the future, but should be optimistic in our ability to act now in the present to at least mitigate the damage climate change will invariably cause even if we figure out how to start reversing it within the next decade or two. — Mark Dennis
So if realism dictates after a dispassionate assessment; Optimism in the face of adversity. And, if we are also asking what the options are. Aren’t we already engaging in realism if we ask and discuss which is the better of the two options?
I never made an impossible prejudgment, I asked a question of the community? How is it possible to make an impossible prejudgment? That makes no sense.What about "doing everything in our power, to avoid catastrophy and at the same time not make an impossible pre-judgement whether our efforts will be fruitful and work, or not, by being pessimistic or optimistic."
other comments you would know that I have actually made the distinction to others raising similar issues as yourself. — Mark Dennis
I you read the reply I made to you properly you would also read that I agree with the overall premise that pessimism or optimism alone and even outlook alone is insufficient. — Mark Dennis
I never made an impossible prejudgment, I asked a question of the community? — Mark Dennis
Where am I dismissing anything you arrogant fool? — Mark Dennis
By yours and others answers this is becoming apparent. Any measure employed alone is ridiculous. — Mark Dennis
I never read all your other comments in this thread but the general ones, the ones directed at me, and some (but not all) of the comments directed at others.
then don’t claim I never made a distinction if you can’t even figure out which comments where the distinction is evident. Can’t exactly accuse anyone of lying about what they wrote when you didn’t read It.
I read that, in a paraphrase form, and I think not only are they insufficient, but superfluous and immaterial. That also includes insufficient, but insufficient can mean also that it is necessary. I say optimism and pessimism are neither sufficient, nor necessary in this instance.
↪180 Proof About our chances of making safe our biosphere for us and as much within it as we can within the next 50 years. Should we as individuals be optimistic? — Mark Dennis
How we ‘should’ react is neither here nor there. We don’t know how to react, but maybe we’re more inclined to jump on the pessimistic bandwagon due to our current social environment? — I like sushi
The true horror of human existence is quietly clawing its way out of the abyss. We’re effectively deconstructing ‘morality’ which is quite interesting given that most of the people doing so think they’re the vanguard of ‘morality’. — I like sushi
Pessimism just means preparation in short. Optimism prohibits, if not severely reduces being prepared. How does "optimism" prepare or equipped you for the realism of dire situations? It is a false hope. — Swan
What if optimism tells us, "hey, God will save us all, don't worry, we are made in his image, just forget it." — god must be atheist
The true horror of human existence is quietly clawing its way out of the abyss. We’re effectively deconstructing ‘morality’ which is quite interesting given that most of the people doing so think they’re the vanguard of ‘morality’.
— I like sushi
Could you explain this a little more? — frank
I mean that we’ve been stuck in a world (humanity), for a long time, where ethical ideas and law have taken away human choice and responsive social activity. We’re bare under the glaring sun of authority, we’ve become instant upon ideals of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ so as to ignore our inner horror. — I like sushi
Quantum computers? They don’t do anything yet. — I like sushi
That is a ‘little more’ of an explanation. I understand it’s wanting, but hey, I’m watching TV — I like sushi
I would never presume to argue with someone who feels pessimism is more productive than optimism. I think the juxtaposition of the two terms speaks for itself. I know if I had to choose between being stuck in a situation with a pessimist or an optimist which I would prefer. — Pantagruel
However, can we ever be sure that not acting at all can never lead, despite ourselves, to a better outcome than forging ahead in a state of blind optimism?
So, it seems futile to try to assess which is better between optimism and pessimism as such; because the question is inevitably complexly context-dependent.
So upon entering any situation that requires action or becoming aware of a situation that will require action, is to ask ourselves how much time do we have to think about how we want to act? If we don’t know how long, how long do we give ourselves to think in any situation? — Mark Dennis
So, if we just forge ahead with business as usual on account of optimistically believing that we can do so, for example,simply by substituting electric vehicles for fossil fuel driven vehicles, and switching to renewable for power generation, then I would count that as foolish optimism because it does not take account of the complexities involved.
I’m optimistic about my ability to do this but pessimistic of others to give up the “comfort and ease”. — Mark Dennis
Then you have something else strangling the planet right now besides climate change. Red Tape! Damn bureaucrats. — Mark Dennis
I’d need to come back on here one last time to get some of your mailing addresses though ^_^ can’t miss out on these conversations too much. — Mark Dennis
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