A Half-Empty Glass of Poison

Many people preach the virtues of a positive outlook on life, and for many such a point of view is fundamental to a healthy lifestyle. Not only is the glass of water half full, I get free water! Optimists look for the silver linings, and make one if there was not one to be found. However, the pessimist often finds that the silver lining is that they expected there was not one to be found at all.

Pessimism carries alongside it the connotation of depression, anger, and dissatisfaction. The pessimist, however, sees it as practicality and a necessary bulwark against disappointment. For the pessimist, expecting an event or object to be below minimum standards often results in preparation that is eventually a positive outcome, or in some cases begins as one that others see as a negative. This can actually be observed, and I have begun to incorporate the mindset to movie premiers.

For those who expect a movie to be amazing, their bar is high and becomes higher as their excitement builds. They begin to fantasize about how engaging the movie will be and how epic the climax must be. The pessimist, on the other hand, expects to have just lost 20 dollars and three hours of their life to bad acting and stale popcorn. Interestingly, the pessimist is often the one who leaves the auditorium with a smile on their face, and the optimist trails behind with a look of mild disappointment. This example can be applied to the life of both -mists.

By expecting the worst, one is never let down or unprepared. The pessimist, in the long run, ends up the happiest. The optimist expects a positive outcome but may feel that whatever-it-is fell short. So for those who can handle the mindset of a pessimist, expect that half-empty glass of water to also be poisoned. You may relish how refreshing an average glass of water really is.

Christian Brooks, H3

19 October 2016