What It Means To Be Optimistic About the Future

For a few years, before the pandemic, I got asked the same question at every convention, book festival and conference: “Do you feel optimistic about the future?” (Or sometimes, “What makes you optimistic about the future?” Or something about optimism versus pessimism.)

I always responded the same way: Optimism about the future is really optimism about human nature. If you believe in a better future, you’re essentially believing that humans are capable of responding to crises and challenges with...