While reading a long list of quotes on the theme of "Progress" I came upon this distinctive statement expressing Christopher Spranger's cynicism toward the notion:
"So much havoc has optimism wrought in this world that pessimism appears not only a legitimate way of looking at things but a moral duty."
Spranger was a German philosopher who thought a lot about pessimism and culture. He believed that blind optimism can deceive us into neglecting life's complexities and the struggles inherent in human existence. It's one of the biggest traps that politicians and voters fall into. Legislators push an idea and voters buy into it without understanding that the devil is in the details.
This tendency toward blind optimism is so pervasive when it comes to most political projects that one wonders how our legislators can be so perpetually in the dark.
When I first moved to Northern Minnesota there was a big push to promote the Iron Range as a tourist destination. Proponents for Iron World exclaimed that six million people a year would come visit this wonderful tribute to open pit mining.
The funds came in abundance. The people did not.
The problem isn't optimism, which breeds its own kind of hope. Rather, the problem is an optimism that has no foundation in reality.
This is my problem with the EV crusade. Proponents envision a future powered by renewable energy. Fat chance, considering the way things are going now. The only way to get there will be by means of nuclear energy, but the Greens who insist we transition away from oil and coal ignore the science on this one. We are a very, very, very long ways off from an energy grid powered by renewables alone.
Being optimistic doesn't change reality. Gamblers are frequently optimistic and feel it in their bones, but their optimism has no bearing upon the outcomes generated.
On the other hand, portraying pessimism as an unequivocal moral duty oversimplifies these matters as well. Pessimism, while offering a cautious perspective, can sometimes lead to stagnation, a lack of innovation, and a defeatist attitude. Embracing pessimism as an absolute moral imperative may discourage necessary ventures and initiatives that drive progress. It's essential to remember that both optimism and pessimism have the potential to influence actions and shape outcomes.
No one starts a new business with the intention of ending in bankruptcy court. A tempered optimism is a fairly essential mindset for business leaders and job seekers. Even here, as former Intel chief Andy Grove asserted, Only the Paranoid Survive.
Optimism, with its emphasis on hope, progress, and the potential for positive change, has indeed been associated with unintended consequences. History is replete with examples where unwavering optimism led to complacency, overlooking potential risks, and even causing harm. As such, Spranger's proposition highlights the necessity of tempering optimism with a healthy dose of critical evaluation and prudence.
Each outlook has its place, I suppose. The challenge is finding the equilibrium between them to navigate a world fraught with uncertainties.
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