I just think there is so much irrational pessimism in the world.
There is a real danger of unintended consequences, of encouraging people to give up. Pessimism, if it becomes a habit, can reinforce a narrative of unstoppable decline. If there is nothing we can do, that releases us from our obligations.
As long as we can imagine a better path, of course we are obligated to seek it. This is why unwarranted pessimism about our future is actually irresponsible.
Though there are many differences between Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter, they are strikingly similar in their poor economic records and even more so in their shared pessimism and bearishness on America.
Whether we like it or not, there are moments in history when pessimism is the appropriate response.
There's nothing particularly wrong with being more pessimistic than optimistic. Optimism is broad-based, non-detail-oriented thinking; pessimism is detail-oriented thinking.
Pessimism never won any battle.
Sometimes pessimism or optimism gets popular, and it's contagious.
I definitely grew up on Garfield. I just loved his pessimism.
I'm a pessimist. But I think I'd describe my pessimism as broken-hearted optimism.
