Time published an article entitled "Optimism Bias" recently, arguing that
optimism may have been a naturally selected trait in humans to allow them to
prepare for the future. What I found interesting was humans' disparate views of
their own futures and the future of the country.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2074067,00.html
The author writes, "A survey conducted in 2007 found that while 70% thought
families in general were less successful than in their parents' day, 76% of
respondents were optimistic about the future of their own family."
Is this just another example of American individualism? On what do we base our
negative impressions of the future for the rest of the country? Is this the reason
we so often stall to tackle collective problems (debt ceiling, health care,
unemployment, etc.), because we are generally individually satisfied with our own
stati quo?
Food for thought.
A general note somewhat similar comes from a few years ago when national test scores in public schools indicated that US students at almost every grade level were at the bottom of the barrel compared to all the other industrialized countries. Yet those same students thought they were "good at math".
Perhaps the result of several generations of being taught to have self esteem, rather than having to earn it.
I talk regularly to a lot of people of varying persuasions, and most tend to be individually optimistic, but worry about one group or another that they think is in trouble. Then there are those who constantly think that this country can't last another month under Clinton, Bush, or Obama.
Sure there are real reasons for concern, but we've been through tougher times. Unemployment was higher in the late 70s and early 80s than it is now, and we had double digit inflation and sky high interest rates to boot.
I get pessimistic when I think about how far left this nation has moved in my lifetime, after WWII. And that it doesn't seem to matter whether Congress and/or the President are of one party or the other. I get a sense of inevitability, thought I know rationally there isn't anything inevitable.
Originally posted by normbenignA general note somewhat similar comes from a few years ago when national
test scores in public schools indicated that US students at almost every grade level
were at the bottom of the barrel compared to all the other industrialized countries.
Yet those same students thought they were "good at math".
What does that say about "American exceptionalism"? That anecdote, not to
mention the survey results above, surely reflects on Americans' reluctance to
compare themselves to people from around the world? Yes, times have been
tougher, and yes, other countries envy fundamentals and luxuries alike that the
U.S. prizes as a part of its society. I think, though, that even conservatives realize
that some degree of progress, or change, is (usually) regularly necessary. The
main difference between conservatives and liberals is their definitions of the rate
of "regularly."
Perhaps the result of several generations of being taught to have self esteem,
rather than having to earn it.
Surely you're confusing self-esteem and respect?
I get pessimistic when I think about how far left this nation has moved in my
lifetime, after WWII.
Are you a vet? Just curious. Also, what shifts to "the left" do you find so disturbing?
Originally posted by wittywonkaSorry, I misread this:
Sure, but "respect," in terms of the social perception of an individual, surely has at least a nuanced difference from "self-esteem," in terms of the individual's perception of self.
Surely you're confusing self-esteem and respect?
As this:
Surely you're confusing self-esteem and self-respect?
It's worth noting that self-esteem and respect should come from the same thing, that is recognition of a person's ability to do something well.
Originally posted by wittywonkaWhen I turn on the TV and watch the debt spiral out of control, I get pessimistic. But when I watch people work together to make ends meet I become optimistic. When I watch governments around the world engage in one war after the other, I become pessimistic, but when I watch children play on the playground in harmony I become optimistic.
Time published an article entitled "Optimism Bias" recently, arguing that
optimism may have been a naturally selected trait in humans to allow them to
prepare for the future. What I found interesting was humans' disparate views of
their own futures and the future of the country.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2074067,00.html
ause we are generally individually satisfied with our own
stati quo?
Food for thought.
What can I say, it's a mixed bag. Maybe I should just stop turning on the TV. 😀
Originally posted by whodeyNot turning on the TV sounds fair enough. What makes you read the kinds of blogs/web sites that you often copy and paste from ?
When I turn on the TV and watch the debt spiral out of control, I get pessimistic. But when I watch people work together to make ends meet I become optimistic. When I watch governments around the world engage in one war after the other, I become pessimistic, but when I watch children play on the playground in harmony I become optimistic.
What can I say, it's a mixed bag. Maybe I should just stop turning on the TV. 😀
Originally posted by FMFI suppose sticking your head in the sand is an option, but it does not seem like a very good option no matter how "good" it may make you feel.
Not turning on the TV sounds fair enough. What makes you read the kinds of blogs/web sites that you often copy and paste from ?
Originally posted by whodeyNo one on this forum gets asked something along the lines of "Aren't you angry with how that blog you quoted was lying to you?" by other posters as often as you do.
I suppose sticking your head in the sand is an option, but it does not seem like a very good option no matter how "good" it may make you feel.