[courtf]

This is how I feel as well. I am a pessimist in the sense that without more progress on certain issues, I think life will get worse for future generations. This isn't ignoring the historical arc of progress, and I would argue that pessimists get an undeserved bad rap for pointing out problems when that is exactly how progress happens. Find problems and try to fix them.

Pessimists aren't just people who assume everything will collapse no matter what is done. I believe humanity is capable of overcoming the challenges set before us, but optimism often seems to be naive, or merely a way of ignoring problems in the short term so that we don't experience unpleasant emotions. If we work on solving problems rather than ignoring them, then I don't care if you are a pessimist or an optimist because we are on the same team regardless of disposition.

[oogabadooga]

I read that article and some other things on sites as defining optimism as NOT avoiding problems. That one site in particular says the goal is to get more people thinking about the possibilities while specifically acknowledging there are problems. My way of thinking is optimism is about getting a deep understanding of the issues, why they exist, and how humanity has shown time and again we can innovate and come together to solve them. Human progress can accelerate if we come together to do so. It’s good debate, and i like that warp and others like them appears to be presenting that side of things. It’s an interesting paring with Kevin Kelly, hope to support it more.

[tuatoru]

I have no idea why you were downvoted, but I have upvoted.

"If way to the better there be, it exacts a full look at the worst." -- Thomas Hardy.

Unthinking optimism is magical thinking. I blame a steady diet of Disney productions in people's childhoods for this mindset.