Dear reader,
Recently I learnt the dangers of extreme optimism and pessimism.
While optimism can be good, it can lower expectations beyond acceptable levels. For an instance, a teacher may be satisfied even if half the class is asleep because "at least they are in school".
On the other hand, extreme pessimism can be a defensive mechanism. It can also lower expectations till we are happy once something is better than the worst possible outcome. For instance, when called to the principal office, the teacher may automatically assume that he is getting fired, and is relieved when he is not.
That's all I have to share.
