Belvedere Times

The Illusion Of Optimism

Shane O'Connor, Realist.

Optimism is something we all associate with a good, happy and pleasant feeling and, by definition, one would have to agree with that. On the other side of the fence then, pessimism is depicted as being a bad and negative thing, which once again is true. However, optimism is often seen to be the better of the two for unknown reasons.

The age-old question, "Is the glass half empty or half full?" usually decides what type of person you are, based on your answer. Of course, to the brainless and irritating people who ask, the simple answer is neither, and despite what they throw at you, it is highly irrelevant because the type of person you are is entirely up to yourself and cannot, or at the very least should not, be persuaded by anyone. It is usually as a result of one’s own personal experience or outlook on life.

Therefore everyone has an equal choice and there should be roughly an even number of both optimists and pessimists in the world.  Unfortunately this is not the case. In recent times many best-selling books have been written, and seminars and talks held, on how to acquire and maintain positive energy whilst building optimism through having different outlooks on certain situations. While these books, seminars and talks are usually put together by very successful business people who claim their success stems from their positive attitude, they are brainwashing many into believing that they too will be just as successful. This is a treacherous act and should be stamped out while it is still on the rise. If we are all to latch on to the “Optimism Train” as a lot of people are currently doing, then those left behind are going to suffer.

Pessimists are a dying breed and every effort should be made to keep them alive. If pessimists were to die out and the world was occupied and run completely by optimists then who would hold them accountable for their acts?  Pessimists provide balance in the world. Opposition is the most important thing in all global matters!  Without opposition those in power have a license to do what ever they so choose.  If those currently in opposition in Leinster House were to cease to exist from tomorrow then that would have disasterous consequences for those of us who don’t share the same belief.

When referenda are called it is as a result of people not being able to agree on an issue and results in the larger general consensus of people deciding for themselves. We may not be happy with the result, but at least we have a vote.  If workshops focusing on building optimism are to continue then workshops focusing on pessimism will have to be introduced also so people have a choice which road they want to pursue.

Being an optimist is usually seen as being the healtier option but that is simply optimists talking and not facing facts, which is something any good pessimist excels at. Pessimists are the more realistic of the two when dealing with a potential situation of any kind; they are the ones who will have a more accurate prediction because they know their team may not always win, their flight could be cancelled, they could meet a few red lights along the way. They are prepared for these outcomes and are never found looking for a plan B at the last minute having considered the laws of probability beforehand.

So please, if there’s anyone out there who is sitting on the fence, just remember the grass may be greener on the other side, but no-one ever said it was better.