Optimism is altogether human and probably incurable. Peering blind-eyed into an impenetrable future, we hope for the best and talk ourselves into expecting the best. Perhaps life would be impossible without optimism. Speculation would be impossible too. The very act of betting money is a species of optimistic statement about an unknowable outcome. This is the paradox of it: optimism, which feels so good and may even be necessary, can lead to financial doom if allowed to get out of control.
