I'm not sure we even have a choice to be optimistic or pessimistic. It seems that some of us are just born one or the other. Maybe we need a therapissd to tell us.
Which category do you feel your own personal existence falls into, and why? Which would be the more preferable? Is change from one to the other possible? I am a confirmed pessimist. Why, I dunno. But circumstances which occurred and shaped my early adulthood certainly may be used by a qualified "shrink" to propose whys and wherefores. Get the impression my opinion of shrinks is less than admirable? After I enrolled at UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) in 1973 hoping against hope that I might complete my B.S. in Engineering there, I was assigned an advisor who turned out to be nearly a saviour for me. Herb Wells, Masters in Mining Engineering, instrumental in getting UNLV started as a spin-off of UNR (Reno), the original campus. Herb studied my background and guided me through to fruition. He pulled lots of weight there, though mainly "under the table". I requested transfer of credit from DeVry Tech in Chicago in Math up to Calculus; Herb guided me through the petition process before the Board of Regents. I was granted 48 credit hours of transfer credit, putting me well on my way to the 120 needed for my degree. Herb helped me every step of the way. After graduating, and taking a position as Facilities Engineer at Dana Corp., Churubusco, Indiana, he was "best man" at my 2nd. marriage, in Vegas, in 1979. My new wife & I moved back out west in 1979, to work in Phoenix, AZ. Herb died about 2006. He was a benefactor to many UNLV students. In his office there conferring on issues, we all sat upon empty wooden cases marked "Dynamite", Danger. I was finally awarded my B.S. Degree, Engineering, in 1976. Frank
I'd say I'm both. Middle of the scale. I try very hard not to be overly optimistic, but, at the same time, try hard not to be too pessimistic. Many people don't like to hear bad stuff. They will say it can depress them. Some folks will say, "Don't you have anything good to say about anything?" to pessimistic personalities. One thing I'm not, and my wife will totally agree with this, I'm not a "naïve" Senior. But, then again, from what I've been thru in life, I've learned very fast not to be "naïve".
I am about a half and half type of person also. I do believe that mankind will not cease to exist anytime soon but I also believe that mankind tries harder and harder to make our future existence less probable. Now, is our continued existence an optimistic view or a pessimistic view? If we continue screwing things up, it's optimistic with a pessimistic overtone. If we cease to exist, it is a pessimistic view but an optimistic future for everything else on earth if, there is anything left. Oxymoron.........................
Used to be an optimist and I wouldn't say I'm now pessimistic either So there needs to be another word for me (don't let rip now, ya hear) .........
I would say I'm more of a Realist... As most of you have heard before..I had a horrible childhood and early adult life ..and due to that I came to expect the worst..always, and it never disappointed me..and so I thought I was a pessimist...but actually due to those circumstances I feel I'm more of a realist..
Pessimist here. Optimists can only be disappointed, while pessimists can only be pleasantly surprised.
@Don Alaska I really like the way you phrased that! Same thing I've always said, only I used too many words, making less clear those two discerning qualities. Frank
@Holly Saunders .. I to am realist . My mother bless her soul was such a pessimistic person I told her many times..,. You could mess up a wet dream Mother! I am mean seriously. Therefore I strive to remain Real in my thinking.