The 1990s brought Pogs, Magic cards, and a statement in a National Institute of Mental Health report that “considerable evidence suggests positive psychological benefits for people who believe their future will be rosier than they have any right to expect. Such optimism keeps people in a positive mood, motivates them to work toward future goals, fosters creative, productive work, and gives them a sense of being in control of their destiny.”
I disagree with this and dislike it. what about being pragmatic? also, is fostering "creative, productive work" the sole motivator of optimism? I believe it should be the inverse: when your surroundings are positive (which you must work hard to create and defy systems that suck), optimism will ensue. I think it's a combo of both internal and external factors that lead to satisfactionn. and these factors are different for everyone.
