WallyMetropolis t1_j2tpoz1 wrote on January 3, 2023 at 9:53 PM

Reply to comment by [deleted] 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

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.

[deleted] t1_j2tqf1h wrote on January 3, 2023 at 9:58 PM

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WallyMetropolis t1_j2tu5av wrote on January 3, 2023 at 10:21 PM

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.

[deleted] t1_j2tx80j wrote on January 3, 2023 at 10:41 PM

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WallyMetropolis t1_j2wt95s wrote on January 4, 2023 at 2:31 PM

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.