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In Defense of Pessimism
October 25, 2010
Joy in itself is an act of resistance.
-Mary Elliott, Curator, National Museum of African American History and Culture
-Mary Elliott, Curator, National Museum of African American History and Culture
Ode Magazine (September 2010; odemagazine.com) explored the strengths and weaknesses of optimists and pessimists. Here is one observation it made about pessimists:
“Austrian researchers have found that people in negative frames of mind are more alert to — and therefore more healthily suspicious of — their surroundings, compared to those in more positive frames of mind. A dose of pessimism seems to aid critical thinking. If optimism keeps you in an unfulfilling situation, then pessimism is certainly a better alternative. But pessimists still need a dose of optimism to see possible alternatives and develop strategies to pursue them.
“Julie Norem, a psychology professor at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, believes pessimism can even be a performance-enhancing state of mind. She cites the example of a public speaker who is always nervous before a performance. Convinced that the next talk will be a disaster, the prospective speaker imagines tripping over the microphone cord, crashing the PowerPoint presentation, or forgetting large portions of her speech. Because she’s so worried, she puts extra time into preparation, with the result that every speech is a resounding success.
“This kind of defensive pessimism can be liberating, Noreen suggests. ‘If you put on a t-shirt with the phrase, The worst is yet to come,’ she says, ‘you send out a message that people cannot expect you to be happy and successful all the time. Such an attitude may help us tolerate the negatives.’”
Inspiring Spaces not only talks about how to create inspiring classroom spaces, but also is highly inspirational through its generous display of creative classroom spaces. The book is built around seven principles of design:
- Nature inspires beauty
- Color generates interest
- Furnishing defines space
- Texture adds depth
- Displays enhance the environment
- Elements enhance ambiance
- Focal points attract attention
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Comments (3)
Displaying All 3 CommentsShishu Vikash Kendra
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Optimist and pessimist are related and depends on each others.
United States
Really? This article was definitely written by a pessimistic person, trying to make him/herself feel better about how he/she sees the world. I believe if you give in to negativity, it follows you. Have you ever heard the saying, "Misery loves company?"
I agree with Tadeo's reaction.
Pessimism does not help with creativity either. In the Early Childhood profession, we have enough to be pesstimistic about (wages, insurance, our duties in and out of the classroom). Being creative and open to new ideas (optimistic) is what little ones thrive on.
From the article: “This kind of defensive pessimism can be liberating, Noreen suggests. ‘If you put on a t-shirt with the phrase, The worst is yet to come,’ she says, ‘you send out a message that people cannot expect you to be happy and successful all the time. Such an attitude may help us tolerate the negatives.’”
What does this really say to me? That person expects to fail more than he/she expects to be happy. If I saw someone wearing that, it would act as a repellant...There is no way I would want to invite that person into my life. There is enough negativity in this world and I for one will strive to look for the good. I won't avoid reality, but I will make the best out of any situation I face.
Washington State Migant Council
Sunnyside, WA, United States
According to online Merriam-Webster Dictionary Pessimism means "an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome
or "the doctrine that reality is essentially evil" or "the doctrine that evil overbalances happiness in life". I really did not like the "positive" spin your article tried to give to pessimism. Pessimism is, well, very pessimistic. I don't think your advice is good for folks who's mission is the caring of and teaching children. Perhaps what your article should have emphasized -instead of pessimism- is that the recognition that "life is uncertain" keeps life not only interesting, but it also helps us to find ways to approach lt when we it throws those wonderful unexpected challenges to us.
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