Optimism Leads to Delusions? (via Sonia Jaspal’s RiskBoard)

On By southwerkIn Uncategorized

For around 400 years, the Western mind has struggled attempting to solve problems by logic using facts. It has not caught on. We still read horoscopes and to my continued astonishment often believe that if we thing hard enough “positively,” it will be so.
When we make decisions, the facts and an accurate assessment are our best allies. But in the United States, there is a perception that only positive, optimistic, emotionally intelligent people are the ones to be emulated.
It’s all nonsense. Read the article, it’s somewhat in line with what I am saying. I will elaborate further in a later article.

James Pilant

Since birth, the mantra taught to us about life is optimists do better in life as they think positive, are surrounded with positive people and generate positive energy. The example of the glass filled with some water typifies our thinking. Here are three examples of the statements people make and the general opinion formed by the public regarding the statements. First person Statement: The glass is half full. Opinion: Give the guy an immediate pa … Read More

via Sonia Jaspal's RiskBoard

4 thoughts on “Optimism Leads to Delusions? (via Sonia Jaspal’s RiskBoard)”

  1. Andrew's avatar Andrew

    There is a saying here at Georgia Tech. “The optimist sees the glass half full and the pessimist sees the glass half empty. The engineer sees the glass as being twice as large as it needs to be!”
    There is a time and place for both optimism and skepticism. Just practicing one or the other will lead to non-realistic delusions.

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  3. Well, I believe that there is a balance between optimism and pessimism. I like to quote Mark Twain, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. But then quit. There is no point in being a damn fool about it.”

    James Pilant

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