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Re: Jimmy
There ya go, Justi! I couldn't put a whole heck of a lot into this study either, for two reasons. First, I don't believe that an existance of pessimism can possibly be good for anyone. And second, no two people's lives and/or personalitites are the same. Optimism and pessimism are probably a part of everyone's daily lives, and you can't simply hang your hat on just one or the other. How about we just call it optimistically cautious . . . ? 
posted by
JimmyA
on March 8, 2013 at 5:18 AM
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Re: JimmyA
That may be, Wiley, but I think that some people might be confusing caution with pessimism. It's probably not good to be overly optimistic and get your hopes up, just to possibly be disappointed, but at the same time, you can't assume that things will go awry either! There's got to be some middle ground . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on March 8, 2013 at 5:12 AM
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Re:
Well, TAPS, whether or not you may be too old might be a moot point! If your personality is normally one of optimism and not pessimism, then that's how you would feel and apply it to your everyday situations. With age comes wisdom, and I'm sure by now you approach most things cautiously but optimistically . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on March 8, 2013 at 5:09 AM
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Re:
That's probably very true, sam. It would have made things worse if you had begun to give up hope! No one likes to get their hopes up and be greatly disappointed, but at the same time, you can't automatically assume that things will turn out bad either! Be weary, but be hopeful too . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on March 8, 2013 at 5:03 AM
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Jimmy
I have to take this with a grain of salt too. 
posted by
Justi
on March 7, 2013 at 8:10 PM
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JimmyA
Well at my age I think pessimism is part of that. LOL
posted by
WileyJohn
on March 7, 2013 at 7:07 PM
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I'd rather not live with hate, not either the hater or the hated. That would be a miserable existence I do believe. I've never been a pessimistic person. I think I'm too old to begin now.
posted by
TAPS.
on March 7, 2013 at 6:30 PM
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I don't think I could be a pessimist! I like to look at the good side of things and make them better wherever possible! When I was reading your post I thought about the long wait to buy my house and if I had had a negative attitude I might not have had enough energy to wait it out! sam 
posted by
sam444
on March 7, 2013 at 2:21 PM
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Re:
Well, that's not good either, lustor. Preparing yourself for a negative outcome for anything may help to lesson the blow, but it shouldn't dominate your thinking either. Too much pessimism, and things may continue to go awry, as your son seems to be demonstrating! Tell him to try to think positive once in a while, and see what happens . . . !
posted by
JimmyA
on March 7, 2013 at 8:34 AM
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Re:
That's probably true, C C T. That's why I usually live by the mantra "Hope for the best, but expect the worse." I would always rather be pleasantly surprised than greatly disappointed. But as with anything else in our lives, there has to be a balance, as you've said.
posted by
JimmyA
on March 7, 2013 at 8:31 AM
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Re:
And I will take that comment, adnohr, to mean you may one of the eternal optimists! Hey, we all face certain disappointments in our lives, but that doesn't mean any of us should give up hope. Pessimism and optimism are probably like alcohol and chocolate . . . a little bit now and again probably couldn't hurt!
posted by
JimmyA
on March 7, 2013 at 8:29 AM
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Re:
Interesting, yes, Annicita, but also somewhat vague. Since no two persons, or groups of people, are exactly alike, I don't believe that this is universal either. There are some things to be optimistic about, and some things to be pessimistic about . . . but one shouldn't necessarily completely trump the other!
posted by
JimmyA
on March 7, 2013 at 8:27 AM
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Re:
And nein it shall be, lovelylady! I too feel that life is just too short to be spending it as a complete pessimist! As for the lifestyles of the Germans, I think such behavior could be found just about anywhere! Be prepared, be cautious, be careful, but at the same time, I don't think there's anything wrong with showing at least some optimism once in a while . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on March 7, 2013 at 8:25 AM
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Re: Here was my take on this.
A wonderful take, jean, and it seems as though that's what these researchers pretty much concluded as well. However, as we all know, the elder statesmen amongst us think and feel the way they do because of the life experiences they've already passed through. They know what to avoid, what's best to concentrate on, how best to act and react. They try to pass this along to the youngsters, but they very seldom want to listen . . . until it's too late! I think that pessimism and optimism are probably like love and hate . . . there's both in all of our lives, and we must be able to strike a balance if we would like to maintain . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on March 7, 2013 at 8:21 AM
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Re: Realistic can be a good thing but pessimistic is too close to anxiety
An excellent way of viewing things, Kabu! And you're right . . . pessimism can be seen as a part of anxiety, and that's never a good thing! Never assume anything, always be prepared, just in case, but at the same time, show at least some optimism for the days ahead!
posted by
JimmyA
on March 7, 2013 at 8:17 AM
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Re:
Sounds reasonable, Against. Nothing wrong with protecting yourself from any possible disappointments. I'm never one to assume anything, trying to stay prepared for the worst, just in case. But I try not to lose all hope either. There's got to be a balance, as far as I'm concerned!
posted by
JimmyA
on March 7, 2013 at 8:14 AM
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Re: Jimmy
I'm sure, Naut, that that's what the researchers concluded as well. I know I tend to fall back on my mantra of "Hope for the best, but expect the worse," maintaining that I would always rather be pleasantly surprised than greatly disappointed. But one shouldn't lose all faith or optimism! I'm a realist too, but I still like to believe that certain things may get better in time . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on March 7, 2013 at 8:12 AM
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Re:
That may have been a factor, FSI. Yes, Hitler's rule changed a lot of aspects of Germany, and the world in general, and it's probably incredibly ironic that this particular study was conducted there. But I still say that a complete loss of optimism can't possibly benefit anyone . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on March 7, 2013 at 8:09 AM
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Re:
I think so too, mariss. I understand the concept of being extremely cautious about certain things, especially as we get older. But to lose all faith and be completely pessimistic about everything can't be helpful! I think you need to have at least some optimism . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on March 7, 2013 at 8:06 AM
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my son is one that predicts his future by saying negative things, and unfortunately they come true
posted by
Lanetay
on March 7, 2013 at 7:44 AM
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Well Jimmy I think it is better to be optimistic at times and pessimistic at others. Hopefully this will give me a certain advantage if I am right and lessen the pain if I am not. Just choosing which is to be at the time is the problem.
posted by
C_C_T
on March 6, 2013 at 11:10 PM
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Oh man! I'm screwed!
posted by
adnohr
on March 6, 2013 at 6:03 PM
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mmmmmm...not sure I think that this is universal or very good research since they only used germans and only 250...but interesting nonetheless
posted by
Annicita
on March 6, 2013 at 4:41 PM
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Jimmy,
As I've written here before, my family is a quarter German on my Dad's side. One thing I know for certain about the German people is that they are extremely dark in their nature. Even their humor tends to be dark, and they rarely smile, even at people they know and love!
They tend to be overly dramatic, overly serious...overly cautious...need I say more?
As for this ridiculous study...better to be full of doom and gloom than full of hope for the future? Nein, I cry!
posted by
lovelyladymonk
on March 6, 2013 at 3:56 PM
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Here was my take on this.
when we are young we do not think about death, so we take more chances. then we start to see the end of the tunnel and we realize that perhaps we should take less chances, mainly because we realize we do not have time to do everything over to regroup. then when we are facing our end, we want to be careful, to do everything we can to stay here as long as possible. there you have the optimistic, the realistic and the pessimistic. If more young people would act like old people, less would die or possibly get sick the same with middle aged people, because they would be taking less chances, eating better, sleeping more, not driving as fast, etc, lol
posted by
jeansaw
on March 6, 2013 at 2:18 PM
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Realistic can be a good thing but pessimistic is too close to anxiety
and depression for me and that is life debilitaing. even if you don't live longer it may seem that way. actually now that I am older I realize that giving and receiving love is what it is ALL about. the rest is just dressing.
posted by
Kabu
on March 6, 2013 at 2:07 PM
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I like to think of myself as a realist, who fancies taking idealistic thoughts and putting them away in a separate compartment.
posted by
Against4WindsOn2Flam
on March 6, 2013 at 1:20 PM
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Jimmy
Generally, pessimists tend to be more realistic; thus, they're less subject to the stresses of disappointments suffered by optimists; and less stress (again generally) = better health...
posted by
Nautikos
on March 6, 2013 at 12:13 PM
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I guess I should work on my pessimism
...I remember an English teacher of mine saying that a year ago about how being pessimistic was better...I imagine the 65 and over crowd in Germany's is influenced heavily by Hitler's rule, World War II and the splitting of Germany.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on March 6, 2013 at 10:40 AM
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I see it to some degree, if a person still retains some optimism and faith. I have lost money being optimistic about things that were destined to fail and not facing reality like the study seems to suggest. I think they have some good ideas about realistic thinking but they have gone to far with pessimism like you are suggesting. 
posted by
mariss9
on March 6, 2013 at 8:52 AM
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