# I think I’ve realized something about why pessimism bothers me **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 19, 2020, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-ve-realized-something-about-why-pessimism-bothers-me/918462 "2020-08-19T02:51:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2020, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-ve-realized-something-about-why-pessimism-bothers-me/918462/21 "2020-08-20T18:55:30Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > So what would you say is your message to me with this post, if any? What do you think I should be doing as a result? What are you doing? Does any of it require fundamental changes to the way I/we live life? If I don’t, would that be a reason to judge me? What you should be doing? 1. Vote 2. Basic Emergency Preparedness (food, water, batteries, some way to charge your phone if the electricity fails, first aid kit, etc.) 3. Savings 4. Get to know your neighbors More than that goes beyond basic needs IMO. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2020, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-ve-realized-something-about-why-pessimism-bothers-me/918462/22 "2020-08-20T19:15:11Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > I should be taking to the streets. Probably. I even stopped by a BLM demonstration in my neighborhood a while back. > [@Leaper](#): > > I should be learning how to shoot (again). Not a terrible idea. Just in case. > [@Leaper](#): > > spending my days calling Congress and organizing protests, You don’t have to, and shouldn’t spend your days on these activities. But, if you never call your congresscritter, nor support any public demonstrations, then I would say that yes, you do lack the courage of your convictions. I assume that, one way or the other, the world will still be turning on November 4th, and come January 22nd, there will still be a country where there could be a giant smoking crater. I make my plans based on that. That doesn’t mean, however, that I take it for granted that this will come about. We are in a dangerous time, and we _could_ end up going down the wrong road. As others have said, a sign that says, “Danger Ahead” does not mean “Abandon All Hope”, it means to be careful and vigilant. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2020, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-ve-realized-something-about-why-pessimism-bothers-me/918462/23 "2020-08-20T19:24:02Z")
I enjoy pessimism. It’s the only source of occasional pleasant surprise left in life. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-ve-realized-something-about-why-pessimism-bothers-me/918462/24 "2020-08-20T19:27:46Z")
Sure, but I think that what the OP describes is more than just pessimism, it is fatalism. I mean, I’m pretty pessimistic that things will get worse before they get better, but I’m not nearly fatalistic enough to think that they won’t get better, ever. (Except the heat death of the Universe, that one I’m a bit fatalistic about). Nihilists should only be noted when they amuse with their self defecations. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2020, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-ve-realized-something-about-why-pessimism-bothers-me/918462/25 "2020-08-20T19:36:04Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > (Except the heat death of the Universe, that one I’m a bit fatalistic about). Ah, yes. The cold day in hell. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-ve-realized-something-about-why-pessimism-bothers-me/918462.md?page=1)