The Optimist

Shawnee123 · 12-05-2007, 05:30 PM

When I was younger, a friend's mom said I was an idealist. This means I'm not a realist. Fair enough. i had very idealistic views of the world. However, when an idealist realizes that her ideals are probably not realistic, does she become a realist? Some do. Some become cynics. I hate being cynical. I'm going to try to be more optimistic; I'm working on it.

Griff, what a neat person you are, seriously. Those kids are very lucky to have you in their lives. One thing I've always tried to believe (before I became really cynical)

is that no, not everyone has been given the sight to make it out of a bad situation. People would say "they should be able to make their lives better, get out of poverty, out of the crime-ridden neighborhoods...it's their choice" and point to many who have done so. I always said "because they had someone in their life, one person, who showed them the way." Not everyone has that. You are that person to many.

ZenGum · 12-06-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

When I was younger, a friend's mom said I was an idealist. This means I'm not a realist. Fair enough. i had very idealistic views of the world. However, when an idealist realizes that her ideals are probably not realistic, does she become a realist?

In an ideal world, yes.

Master_At_Blubbering · 12-13-2007, 07:42 PM

ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE HAVE CALLED ME OLD FASHIONED I AM OF THE MINDSET THAT PEOPLE WHO TEND TO BE OPTIMISTIC MORE OFTEN ARE INHERENTLY GOOD PEOPLE. THOSE WHO ARE USUALLY PESSIMISTIC TEND TO BECOME BAD PEOPLE. I THINK THAT AT YOUR CORE YOU ARE A GOOD PERSON WHO NEEDS TO VENT AS ALL PEOPLE DO

I AM SURE THAT YOUR MANIFESTATION OF OPTIMISM AT WORK CAN BE CONSIDERED NOTHING BUT A GOOD SIGN

SUPER KARATE ADVICE POST

BIIIITCH

Griff · 12-13-2007, 08:21 PM

Thanks.

piercehawkeye45 · 12-13-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master_At_Blubbering

ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE HAVE CALLED ME OLD FASHIONED I AM OF THE MINDSET THAT PEOPLE WHO TEND TO BE OPTIMISTIC MORE OFTEN ARE INHERENTLY GOOD PEOPLE. THOSE WHO ARE USUALLY PESSIMISTIC TEND TO BECOME BAD PEOPLE. I THINK THAT AT YOUR CORE YOU ARE A GOOD PERSON WHO NEEDS TO VENT AS ALL PEOPLE DO

This makes some sense.

Optimists and Pessimists look at the world differently, one tending to see the more positive effects while the other more negative effects respectably, so it makes sense that someone who sees mainly good things in life will be influenced by that and try to be good while others who see mainly bad things in life will act upon that as well and usually not see the point of being good because they see the world as bad already.

xoxoxoBruce · 12-16-2007, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

snip......while others who see mainly bad things in life will act upon that as well and usually not see the point of being good because they see the world as bad already.

Nonsense, pessimists would not be pessimists, if they didn't know the value of being good. They are guarded, cautious and more careful, not bad.

Perry Winkle · 12-16-2007, 03:29 AM

I think I could best be described as a realist with mild optimistic and weak (classical or pseudo) cynical tendencies, with occasional bouts of idealism.

Optimism can be a shield or a blinder. You can use it to protect yourself so you can continue to do good, difficult work or you can use it hide dark realities from yourself. The shield vs. blinder outcome is probably somewhat based on how strongly idealistic or realistic one is.

If you're optimistic and realistic, your optimism will likely be a strength, whereas optimistim and idealism will likely blind you to the places where ideals don't and can't match reality.

Also, I think these dimensions of mind-frame are influenced by context and personal proclivity. Maybe they can be thought of as two functionally related axes that color a person's cognitive frame.

piercehawkeye45 · 12-16-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Nonsense, pessimists would not be pessimists, if they didn't know the value of being good. They are guarded, cautious and more careful, not bad.

Hmmm...you are right. I was thinking of a stereotypical definition at the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perry Winkle

If you're optimistic and realistic, your optimism will likely be a strength, whereas optimistim and idealism will likely blind you to the places where ideals don't and can't match reality.

Very good take.

12-13-2007, 08:21 PM	#4
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Thanks. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

12-05-2007, 05:30 PM	#1
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	When I was younger, a friend's mom said I was an idealist. This means I'm not a realist. Fair enough. i had very idealistic views of the world. However, when an idealist realizes that her ideals are probably not realistic, does she become a realist? Some do. Some become cynics. I hate being cynical. I'm going to try to be more optimistic; I'm working on it. Griff, what a neat person you are, seriously. Those kids are very lucky to have you in their lives. One thing I've always tried to believe (before I became really cynical) is that no, not everyone has been given the sight to make it out of a bad situation. People would say "they should be able to make their lives better, get out of poverty, out of the crime-ridden neighborhoods...it's their choice" and point to many who have done so. I always said "because they had someone in their life, one person, who showed them the way." Not everyone has that. You are that person to many.

12-13-2007, 07:42 PM	#3
Master_At_Blubbering Jotter of Notes Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 11	ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE HAVE CALLED ME OLD FASHIONED I AM OF THE MINDSET THAT PEOPLE WHO TEND TO BE OPTIMISTIC MORE OFTEN ARE INHERENTLY GOOD PEOPLE. THOSE WHO ARE USUALLY PESSIMISTIC TEND TO BECOME BAD PEOPLE. I THINK THAT AT YOUR CORE YOU ARE A GOOD PERSON WHO NEEDS TO VENT AS ALL PEOPLE DO I AM SURE THAT YOUR MANIFESTATION OF OPTIMISM AT WORK CAN BE CONSIDERED NOTHING BUT A GOOD SIGN *SUPER KARATE ADVICE POST* BIIIITCH

12-16-2007, 03:29 AM	#7
Perry Winkle Esnohplad Semaj Ton Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: A little south of sanity Posts: 2,259	I think I could best be described as a realist with mild optimistic and weak (classical or pseudo) cynical tendencies, with occasional bouts of idealism. Optimism can be a shield or a blinder. You can use it to protect yourself so you can continue to do good, difficult work or you can use it hide dark realities from yourself. The shield vs. blinder outcome is probably somewhat based on how strongly idealistic or realistic one is. If you're optimistic and realistic, your optimism will likely be a strength, whereas optimistim and idealism will likely blind you to the places where ideals don't and can't match reality. Also, I think these dimensions of mind-frame are influenced by context and personal proclivity. Maybe they can be thought of as two functionally related axes that color a person's cognitive frame.

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