Mad Goblin's Rants and Raves '06

Pessimists are Happier

Why does everyone act like pessimists are sad and gloomy people? How is an optimist suppose to be a better belief system to hold up? It just doesn't make any sense. An optimist is just opening the door for a lifetime of disappointment while pessimism is eternal relative improvement.

I mean it. Let's say you have to drive to work. If you were to assume that the best outcome would occur, you would make all lights, no other cars would be on the road, and you would encounter a female hitchhiker who would make your trip better. In truth, there will be traffic, you will encounter lights, and she is really a man. That sucks. Now, on the pessimistic side of things, you would assume that every light would be hit, traffic would be at a standstill, and that your car would be hit my a meteor. Of course, as with the opposite side of the spectrum, none of that will happen. This time, however, it's a really good thing, and you'll feel better about it.

And if you get dumped, the optimistic view would be that she would say, "Just kidding" after the break up and owe you "reperations." In truth, this won't happen. Now, the pessimist would think that she would break up with you and sick a pack of trained wolves on you. So, in result you would feel crummy inside but have no flesh wounds. Bonus!

So, remember, nothing good happens when you expect the best, but nothing good happens when you expect the worst. The stuff will happen as it would no matter what. Comparitively, however, you could hit the jackpot with some lowered expectations.