NationStates Jolt Archive

What are you and why?

I think I lean towards pessimism, but that's because I'm extremely cynical and (lately) more and more nihilistic. Guess that's what happens when you become more and more anti-society.

The glass is.

Admittedly rather pessimistic.

Pessimistic and I'm just not happy, I suppose that's why.

I say pessimist. But everyone tells me I am an optimist. I say the former because I am always disappointed in the world...never surprised just disappointed. However it is the fact I am always disappointed or outraged that my friends tell me I am an optimist. So being one is rarely a good judge of themselves...The glass must be half full.

it depends, atm i'm very pessimistic about school for instance, but quite optimistic about my relationship.

Pessimistic.

I'm always surprised if something good happens.
Never surprised when something bad happens.

Pessimists may be gloomier, but they're right more often. And they tend to be more interested in philosophy in my experience, so it's all good.

Pessimists tend to be more realistic than optimists. Where's a combination of the two?

i try for realism...much less hassle that way :)

Some combination of realism and pessimism, though probably leaning to the latter more.

Some combination of realism and pessimism, though probably leaning to the latter more.

i'm not surprised if you go in for extreme ironing ;D

Realistic... unfortunately people often confuse it with pessimism. :headbang:

The glass is.

Half full of good vodka. I'm really optimistic.

Realist. I was once heard an optimist say that there weren't enough optimists in the world. I couldn't help but remark on what a pessimistic thought it was.

Realistic... unfortunately people often confuse it with pessimism.Pessimist is a name made up by optimists for realists. ;)

It's a combination. I tend to view the world very optimistically, thinking that we can solve all our problems and live peacefully, if we only try. But I have trouble translating that idealism to my own life. Two out of three theatre schools and the local semi-pro company all rejected me, I've been seventeen years without a boyfriend or even any guys really liking me, and half the school thinks I'm clinically insane/a lesbian. What is there to look forward to?

Realist. I was once heard an optimist say that there weren't enough optimists in the world. I couldn't help but remark on what a pessimistic thought it was.

Pessimist is a name made up by optimists for realists. ;)

:D :D :D

The glass is.

Half of the glass volume has been used to store unspecified liquid.
- the geek's answer :D

Optimist, because pessimists have almost always been wrong and optimists have almost always been right. Plus, it's more fun being an optimist and better for your health.

All I will say is this:

A pessimist complains about the winds. An optimist hopes the winds will change. And a realist simply adjusts his sails.

The glass is mine! *grabs* *slurps*

Optimist, because pessimists have almost always been wrong and optimists have almost always been right.

The Holocaust, Stalin's purges, World War II, the Vietnam War, Mao's famines... and those are just a few examples off the top of my head from a very narrow time period.

I'm basically on the pessimistic side of the fence right now seeing as how I've just been dumped on my ass by my boyfriend. This is a sucky year.

I'd like to say optimist, but its probably more disagreeing with everyone around me like some opposite cheerleader/Goth/voice in head

The Holocaust, Stalin's purges, World War II, the Vietnam War, Mao's famines... and those are just a few examples off the top of my head from a very narrow time period.

no nuclear war, the British empire defeated Harry Hun twice!, equal right for women, better health care, less rich poor divide....so we got it right on all the things we wanted but got screwed on the unexpected (MJ white pedophile OMFGWTFLOL?!!?)

or as the song goes: Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing gum. Real troubles are apt to blind-side you at 4 p.m. on an idle Tuesday. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OojsLDYr7RY)

I'm basically on the pessimistic side of the fence right now seeing as how I've just been dumped on my ass by my boyfriend. This is a sucky year.

look on the bright side, odds are hes going to catch herpes :)

Most of the time I'm an optimist, but I grumble at the world when it kicks me when I'm down from time to time.

Why am I an optimist? Because then I can enjoy the situation anyway I look at it. If I'm down, I can say, "Things could be worse." instead of "Things will get worse." and when I'm up, I can say, "Wow, what a nice view." instead of "Damn, this fall is gonna hurt."

I'm generally optimistic. Better to say thank you for the things you get rather than always be disappointed about the things you don't.

look on the bright side, odds are hes going to catch herpes :)

More likely Hepatitis C.

i find that pessimistic expectations will yield less dissappointment in most cases, thus, i am a pessimist, because i do not enjoy dissapointment.

however, as a christian, i suppose i am a long term optimist.

The pessimist theme song, hope its not too long:
....Oh the sun'll go out... tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar they'll be sorrow,
And no sun......
I think of a day, that's... erm... gay... and lovely...
i lower my head... instead and saaayyyoooo...
The sun'll go out tomorrow....

More likely Hepatitis C.

hes going to get a tattoo? :p

Realistic... unfortunately people often confuse it with pessimism. :headbang:

It's all about outlook and the way you predict the outcome of situations. Realism, for most people, is simply a fancy way of saying mostly-pessimism, as most realists, or, rather, those that use the term, predict usually-negative outcomes based on their mood, experience, and, most importantly, focus. Pessimist simply always predict negatively.

The reality of it is, you reap what you sow. Optimists predict success and get it. They focus on the positive and get it. Considering how much control your mind has over your body...it's doing a lovely job of making me type this right now, for instance...why would you go with anything but optimism?

(rhetorical question)

hes going to get a tattoo? :p

Most likely, but this girl at his job that he likes has it apparently. One can only pray the Stupid Gods don't get ahold of him.

Most likely, but this girl at his job that he likes has it apparently. One can only pray the Stupid Gods don't get ahold of him.

you should pull a guy with HIV that will show him!

Realists hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and take what comes as it is; be it good, bad or in between.

you should pull a guy with HIV that will show him!

Uh.... no.

The glass is too big. :)

I'm an optimist who wants all the wrong things out of life.
Complete collapse of society leading to the deaths of millions? Sounds exciting.
An asteroid smashing into Earth? I bet the mushroom cloud on that will look really cool.
War, famine, disease, death? Oh, yes, sounds simply lovely.

The glass is.

made to government specifications - twice as big as it needed to be, and of no use to anyone.

Optimist here. :)

Worrying doesn't solve problems, and presupposing you're going to fail never helped anyone either. I try and keep a positive outlook.

It's been said that a pessimist is really just a disillusioned idealist. I've found that to not quite be true. A disillusioned idealist becomes what I am. I'm not a pessimist, I'm a fatalist. I believe with all my heart that everything is pointless, and that a colapse of some sort is inevitable.


The problem is everything, the solution is nothing.

i'm an optimist in that believe everything will work out okay in the end. but i'm a pessimist in that i believe that everything i do will immanently fail. so i guess, in the bounds of the poll i am a realist. i don't believe in reality though.

i'm an optimist in that believe everything will work out okay in the end. but i'm a pessimist in that i believe that everything i do will immanently fail. so i guess, in the bounds of the poll i am a realist. i don't believe in reality though.

So you're just completely f**ked up then.

I'm not the kind of person that believes everything will work out in the end, I simply believe that things will go as I expect them to go. Sometimes I have high expectations, other times very low expectations, so I'm not sure what that makes me. A realist or some kind of cynical optimist, maybe.

I'm not the kind of person that believes everything will work out in the end, I simply believe that things will go as I expect them to go. Sometimes I have high expectations, other times very low expectations, so I'm not sure what that makes me. A realist or some kind of cynical optimist, maybe.

I'd love to know why you think your expectations affect anything.

Not sure really. I see the level of the water in the glass as half the capacity of the glass. None of your silly "half empty" or "half full".

I'd love to know why you think your expectations affect anything.

Did I say they would affect anything? I suppose they form the basis for my own action, given that I may want to avoid an outcome I expect, for example. Beyond that, I dunno.

So you're just completely f**ked up then.

seems like it :p