General Discussion

FreepFryer

(7,086 posts)

63. I think you are definitely on to something. There is a lot of internalized trauma here...

Thu Oct 4, 2018, 04:21 PM

Oct 2018

...part of the reason the Republican aggro strategy on Kavanaugh is causing us such difficulty now.

We still just want the punches to stop, rather than working to ensure we can win the fight.

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Why is unjustified pessimism so much more tolerable than unjustified optimism? [View all] FreepFryer Oct 2018 OP

Writing Meet Wall LandOfHopeAndDreams Oct 2018 #1

That kind of conditioning is the same process underlying Stockholm Syndrome. FreepFryer Oct 2018 #3

Perhaps, saidsimplesimon Oct 2018 #29

Not sure that answers the question though. Separation Oct 2018 #4

Ah, indeed! But in those great tales, the hero is not always the winner... FreepFryer Oct 2018 #6

Adversity, and failure Separation Oct 2018 #8

Amen! :) Let's stay the course, and not give into fatalism, and we may just see that day come. (n/t) FreepFryer Oct 2018 #9

It's the sense of impending doom... kentuck Oct 2018 #2

It reminds me of Andy Dufresne in 'Shawshank Redemption" FreepFryer Oct 2018 #5

Evolution marylandblue Oct 2018 #7

They also tended to be hermits and/or sociopaths. Surely a balance is needed for civilization. (nt) FreepFryer Oct 2018 #11

There were many who didn't see a lion behind every tree John Fante Oct 2018 #26

I exaggerated a bit on behind "every" tree marylandblue Oct 2018 #62

It's not mythology Oct 2018 #10

This I tend to agree with. It's a kind of 'opting out' of challenges beyond our ability to withstand FreepFryer Oct 2018 #12

I wouldn't consider the pessimism unjustified unitedwethrive Oct 2018 #13

I would respond with the argument that that sense of entitled pessimism brought us to this moment. FreepFryer Oct 2018 #17

Because it's better to be pleasantly surprised than bitterly disappointed? CrispyQ Oct 2018 #14

Yep - 1000% kerry-is-my-prez Oct 2018 #18

Seeing the GOP throw the rule book in the trash, without Democrats leaping to retrieve it FreepFryer Oct 2018 #19

While we made incredible progress on one hand, CrispyQ Oct 2018 #42

'neutered'? That's a fucked up idea for you to internalize so willingly. We are far from powerless. FreepFryer Oct 2018 #44

Neuter 2. To render ineffective or powerless CrispyQ Oct 2018 #53

This message was self-deleted by its author FreepFryer Oct 2018 #55

I am well aware of the definition, and we're not neutered. FreepFryer Oct 2018 #56

I really appreciate what you're doing here. ZZenith Oct 2018 #77

Likewise. Glad to know you and welcome to DU! FreepFryer Oct 2018 #79

Cheers! ZZenith Oct 2018 #83

Naaah, "He hates these cans!" - Navin Johnson FreepFryer Oct 2018 #84

Navin R. Johnson! ZZenith Oct 2018 #85

"Yuh covered!" -- Jackie Mason FreepFryer Oct 2018 #86

I read that pessimists tend to be right more often than optimists are. LastLiberal in PalmSprings Oct 2018 #15

Eye toe-tally agree :D FreepFryer Oct 2018 #21

Because with unjustified optimism, you get your heart ripped out. Plus if this has happened to you kerry-is-my-prez Oct 2018 #16

But is there no truth to the idea that one comes to see what one expects to see, even when absent? FreepFryer Oct 2018 #20

murphy's law rampartc Oct 2018 #22

"Nor will you be invited to the best parties." Cheers :) FreepFryer Oct 2018 #23

if "timmy" and "squi" are throwing yhe party i'll pass anyway. rampartc Oct 2018 #25

I said 'best' parties, not 'bro' parties :) Shame we dont learn the difference earlier. FreepFryer Oct 2018 #45

To cope psychologically Sunsky Oct 2018 #24

This rings true to me. And I especially appreciate your forward-looking and your agency. FreepFryer Oct 2018 #35

GREAT question. n/t OneGrassRoot Oct 2018 #27

Cheers! Thanks for the support. I'm earnestly trying to understand. (n/t) FreepFryer Oct 2018 #46

Pessimism helps me immensely as a gambler Awsi Dooger Oct 2018 #28

Is there any truth to the idea that a population of speculative gamblers will slant the field? FreepFryer Oct 2018 #36

Speculating is prevalent in sports wagering while political wagering is reactive Awsi Dooger Oct 2018 #71

I won't pretend to have adequately absorbed your answer to respond, but I'm astonished at FreepFryer Oct 2018 #73

Excellent post! Separation Oct 2018 #74

It's not more tolerable, it's more realistic. How many positive things have happened since Vinca Oct 2018 #30

"To expect anything good to come from Washington is to be delusional." I disagree. FreepFryer Oct 2018 #37

Perhaps I need whatever you're drinking. Vinca Oct 2018 #40

Alcohol? Never touch the stuff. Love me some root beer though. (n/t) FreepFryer Oct 2018 #43

If you anticipate the worst case scenario, and the worst case scenario actually plays out.... Tommy_Carcetti Oct 2018 #31

I think there's truth to that answer... it's easier to be wrong when everyone is happy... FreepFryer Oct 2018 #41

I agree California_Republic Oct 2018 #32

It feels deployed, calculated, intentional... like Trumpist disinfo to keep Hillary voters at home. FreepFryer Oct 2018 #38

I got in a DU exchange over that topic California_Republic Oct 2018 #81

Good on you!!! FreepFryer Oct 2018 #82

You know who doesn't give off a pessimistic vibe, despite John Fante Oct 2018 #33

Wow, just wow. THANK YOU for this. We're in good company. (n/t) FreepFryer Oct 2018 #39

+1000.nt ecstatic Oct 2018 #89

It's easier. tazkcmo Oct 2018 #34

Luke: "Is the dark side stronger? Yoda: "No, no, no. Quicker, easier, more seductive." FreepFryer Oct 2018 #49

Because the pessimist can be pleasantly surprised to have been wrong Maeve Oct 2018 #47

That's an idea others have expressed as well.. but why is it that the outcome, if pleasing, FreepFryer Oct 2018 #51

The latter. Think the women who fought for the right to John Fante Oct 2018 #57

Today people are scared eleny Oct 2018 #48

Obi Wan said it best... "You can't win. But there are alternatives to fighting." FreepFryer Oct 2018 #54

I think that the fight will present itself and people will meet the challenge eleny Oct 2018 #58

Thanks for the longer-term perspective. Glad to be with you for the long haul! n/t FreepFryer Oct 2018 #66

Tearing down is so much easier than building up. LanternWaste Oct 2018 #50

That gives me a lot to think about, as I see that generationality in antiestablishment thinking. FreepFryer Oct 2018 #52

Bio-rhythms is a concept describing the rise and fall OxQQme Oct 2018 #59

Nice :) Be the savior you seek! :) (n/t) FreepFryer Oct 2018 #60

I agree, it's strange. It's the exact opposite of this site in early November 2016... MadDAsHell Oct 2018 #61

I think you are definitely on to something. There is a lot of internalized trauma here... FreepFryer Oct 2018 #63

What appears as pessimism to some... Charlotte Little Oct 2018 #64

But what about feeling as if all is lost and NOT fighting as if life depends on it? FreepFryer Oct 2018 #65

Well, there's a possibility... Charlotte Little Oct 2018 #67

LOL! Sometimes an overabundance of optimism is definitely a detriment... I think you and I are FreepFryer Oct 2018 #68

I'm fairly certain Kavanaugh will be confirmed based on what Republicans are saying. LeftInTX Oct 2018 #69

I refuse to calibrate my decisions to accommodate those who take pleasure in our suffering. FreepFryer Oct 2018 #70

OK...but you seemed optimistic this same group would not confirm Kavanaugh LeftInTX Oct 2018 #72

I'm not sure I'm optimistic they won't confirm... FreepFryer Oct 2018 #75

I tend to agree LeftInTX Oct 2018 #78

past is prologue qazplm135 Oct 2018 #76

No, the worst case may be that everyone always looks like a lion until you are convinced otherwise.. FreepFryer Oct 2018 #80

No not really qazplm135 Oct 2018 #92

That's only true if you don't believe in free will. Free will affects reality every day. (n/t) FreepFryer Oct 2018 #93

I believe in limited free will qazplm135 Oct 2018 #94

But don't your expectations frame your actions, and your actions change reality, by definition? n/t FreepFryer Oct 2018 #95

No qazplm135 Oct 2018 #96

But your actions affect the outcome. That's what makes them different from intentions. (n/t) FreepFryer Oct 2018 #97

Which is my point qazplm135 Oct 2018 #98

Then we fundamentally disagree. I think ones attitude obviously affects ones actions. FreepFryer Oct 2018 #99

Expectation qazplm135 Oct 2018 #100

I think there's a good mix of pessimism/ optimism here. ecstatic Oct 2018 #87

It's a relief to hear that that's your experience of DU, I'm grateful you chose to say so! (n/t) FreepFryer Oct 2018 #88

Yeah. I lean towards worrying and pessimism and I like that I can come here ecstatic Oct 2018 #90

Yup, that era sucked. I was here for the latter half of it, if memory serves. FreepFryer Oct 2018 #91