“optimism is yet again being used to protect the privileged, and evade duties that decency and #justice demand (to protect those with the least resources)” & “markets are engines of ingeniously organized injustices” & “To do what’s collectively kind and what justice enjoins, cruel systems of greed and their cheerful defenders must be tamed or toppled.” & “#optimism is often an elite-serving demon” https://sublationmedia.com/the-dark-origins-of-optimism-and-its-current-cheerful-evils/
This essay by Jag Bhalla, on "The Dark Origins of Optimism and its Current Cheerful Evils", is one of the best pieces I've ever read on this. Maybe the best (also many links). Enjoy.
"As Voltaire knew, optimism is often an elite-serving demon in disguise"
...and at night, when everything seems so dark that you start to feel crazy and hopeless, just remember: a new morning will come and a new sun will shine for you.
I'm inspired by lovely supportive friends including Becki who sent me this awesome rehab advice in the link (O is for Optimism), and also Kate Worthington of Raw adventures who told me about her #DailyJoy strategy for recovering from illness/injury. I'm starting a #DailyJoy trend right here. Feel free to join me!
Yesterday's #DailyJoy was snuggling on the sofa with Meg and Bo, who are Sharon and @GrahamUney 's lovely labradors. 🧡🧡
Today's #DailyJoy is people. All the lovely people who have worked hard to keep the wheels on while mine came off. Colleagues, mountain rescue team members, friends, and my lovely husband Wally who got a train down to the Lake District to fetch me and my van. Onwards and upwards. #injuryrehab#Optimism
I really want people to understand the difference between #optimism and #hope.
They are different things.
OPTIMISM is the sense that things will turn out okay.
It may or may not be based on reality, and it may or may not come true. It's a "feeling" about the future. It can be unrealistic or realistic. It lies on a spectrum with pessimism being the other end.
Who Cares Wins: Reasons for Optimism in a Changing World by Lily Cole
A rousing call to action, this book will leave you feeling hopeful that we can make a difference in the midst of an age of turmoil, destruction, and uncertainty.