The Core

Why We Are Here => Water Cooler => Topic started by: rcjordan on December 12, 2017, 04:16:24 PM

Title: Pessimists fare better than people with a sunnier disposition.
Post by: rcjordan on December 12, 2017, 04:16:24 PM
QuoteForget about hoping for the best. Instead, focus on preparing for the worst.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/01/the-power-of-negativity/546560/

http://th3core.com/talk/water-coolerextra/quotes-that-hit-home/msg43411/#msg43411
Title: Re: Pessimists fare better than people with a sunnier disposition.
Post by: rcjordan on December 12, 2017, 04:33:56 PM
Counterpoint:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/optimism-and-your-health
Title: Re: Pessimists fare better than people with a sunnier disposition.
Post by: ergophobe on December 12, 2017, 05:17:21 PM
I've always felt my pessimism would destroy me someday.
Title: Re: Pessimists fare better than people with a sunnier disposition.
Post by: rcjordan on December 12, 2017, 05:52:38 PM
>I've always felt my pessimism would destroy me someday.

Same. But at least we saw it coming. hhh
Title: Re: Pessimists fare better than people with a sunnier disposition.
Post by: littleman on December 12, 2017, 07:17:35 PM
And here you both are.  It is fair to call my grandmother cranky, yet she's still kicking at 96.

I think the right combination is pessimism moderated by a sense of self-preservation, duty or other motivations to act.  Pessimism keeps people grounded and makes them think about their decisions before they act.  You can't let pessimism push you too far into fatalism though.
Title: Re: Pessimists fare better than people with a sunnier disposition.
Post by: ergophobe on December 12, 2017, 07:23:11 PM
Joking aside, I'm actually a mix. Highly pessimistic in some areas, optimistic in others. Now the real test of which way I trend is whether I feel this is a strength or a weakness. I'm consulting the authorities