‘O’ is for ‘Optimism.’ If the apocalypses have revealed one
thing about sentient life, it’s that the optimists are the only ones worth
paying attention to. Pessimists and optimists die alike, but the former die
having accomplished less, and having been far less entertaining to watch.
This perspective formally began under the Gremlin Empire,
who used spores to observe the behaviors of lesser beings. Triclopes,
nine-legs, centaurs and the like were reality television, and gremlins would
drop supplies on tribes that behaved in entertaining fashion.
Since then, it’s been the optimists who made things work.
They renovated the destroyed remains of old cities into new shelters. They
scavenged the last technology, pushed progress, and in the Frontier, have even
gotten old species to cooperate. You’d never have expected humans to forgive
the imps for enslaving them, yet now they are routinely traveling partners.
Those who think the struggle is worthless perish. Those who embrace it might
change the world for the brief time they live in it.
I must pass this gem onto my partner. He tells me that pessimists are never disappointed, and can only be pleasantly surprised. Perhaps he will understand the phrase 'dead right'.
ReplyDeleteThanks John, another truly enjoyable post.
Nice one, John. Pessimists work to keep things from getting worse. Optimists work to make things better.
ReplyDeleteI knew that cup was half full for a reason... :)
ReplyDeleteLove that closer: menace is just fear of someone else's optimism! I like the idea of airlifting goodies to tribes who do entertaining things, even if the whole spore/spy/reality TV thing is a little creepy. :-P
ReplyDeleteOh, good post. Optimists would be the better option to keep the world going. They would refuse to give up.
ReplyDeleteFortune favours the Brave (or in this case Optimist), doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas.
To be entertainment for food and optimistic at the same time, hard work. The optimists will find a way out of it.
ReplyDeleteKaTy Did at: Life's Ride As I See It
That rings so true to life. Life would suck if everything was a chore :)
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense that the optimists keep things going.
ReplyDeleteI like this especially because it is so apt right now. I agree with J.A, Bennett!
ReplyDeletejean xox
I suspect this is true everywhere.
ReplyDeleteOptimism is a better way to live.
ReplyDeleteI like how optimism comes through in your world. Those cities where the sun never sets sound a bit exhausting, but nice.
ReplyDeleteThe struggle is worthwhile. I believe that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.
ReplyDeleteA very philosophical post. And true too. And the best thing about optimism is that no matter what happens, you're usually happier about it!
ReplyDeleteRinelle Grey
Correct! It is Optimism that has taken the world forward.
ReplyDeleteCynthia Rodrigues Manchekar at Cynthology
Yay for optimism! I remember reading somewhere that technically the glass is completely full, half with water and half with air!
ReplyDeleteThis is the most wonderful aspect of your world so far. Optimism can take you a long way.
ReplyDelete