Report Blog Entry
When things feel like theyre just black and white, then maybe the simplicity will help you get from day to day
We as humans tend to group ourselves into one of two groups of thought. The cynic, sitting alone in a world of naught, or the idealist, those who choose to believe that despite everything, the world will turn out okay. Even I fall into this style of thinking on occasion, a childish notion that despite everything I do, that life will all end in failure, and not only is that an unhealthy mindset it stops me from creating the things that would end up truly actually making me happy.
Dear reader, cant we all see how unproductive this style of thinking is? I dont mean that of the cynic either, but the idealist too. The fact that you turn your head away from pain and sorrow simply makes it so those things will fester, grow, become more powerful. Running, my dear reader, is just as cowardly as swimming in your own sadness.
So; why do we even do this? Why do we have such simple processes of thought normalized? Is it just us humans trying to fit into a box as always, or something more complicated? I hope, in writing, we can somehow manage to figure out this question together. Tonight, under the dark, incomprehensible blackness of space, or the beautiful sea of stars (whatever be it your preference,) I simply hope to lay down reasoning to help you, dear reader, come to your own conclusion. Because at the end of the day, all I want is to help you understand these topics more broadly, to think about things in a way you havent before.
To play devils advocate since there's nobody in the room with me to
discuss, it is also true that simplifying complex ideas into things such
as "cynicism" or "optimism" makes those things easily understandable,
and is a good launching off point to make your own ideas off of. Having a
default "reaction" to the world is useful in a way that many can find
comforting. Especially in the darkest parts of life, or when things get
complicated, its healthy even to have the ability to make something
simple. The problem leads, dear reader, when that becomes a method to lack curiosity, to become complacent in how you see the world and yourself.
First I would like to ask the simple question, dear reader, is it something related to the desire of "fitting in?" While, granted many eccentricities in this little world of ours can be explained by that notion, at least I am not satisfied by answer. As in politics, as least where I'm from, forming "parties" rather than expressing complicated ideas as they are, complicated ideas, is something that only harms not only discussion but your quality in life in general. It is specifically designed for you to lack thought, and dear reader, what I care most about is you and anyone thinking.
Well if not to simply fit in, what could be the answer, you may ask? This, dear reader is where the spotlight shines on you. I would not like to give you an answer this time, or my thoughts, since I would like to hear your own. So I may ask, dear reader, what is the answer? Why is this kind of thinking so common, when its so unproductive
Your optimistic cynic,
Rachel Rosethorn
Comments
Displaying 1 of 1 comments ( View all | Add Comment )
Shrimpoo
Maybe fitting things in a box might not be so bad, sometimes ignoring small details and classifying everyone into a large group will cause confusion later on, which is why English mostly uses the "umbrell method." Now, I don't know if that's the official name, but the English language normally has one word, and underneath it falls multiple classifications and outcomes of that same word.
It isn't trying to normalize these though processes, but studying on why humans feel sort of emotions; why we get mad when someone mocks us, but this time these thoughts are a lot more complex.
What we consume is what we become, and not just by food, but also by the media that surrounds us specifically. The people you interact with, the videos you watch and listen to, it all plays a part of shaping who you are. (like how you said about it being a good launching off point) And slowly that idea in your region might just spread and it's easy to trick someone into thinking that this idea is spread everywhere.
It looks like you're fond of cynicism and optimism, yet surprisingly most of the people who surround me often look down on the optimistic side of view and stick with pessimism most of the time, Maybe fitting things in a box might not be so bad, sometimes ignoring small details and classifying everyone into a large group will cause confusion later on, which is why English mostly uses the "umbrell method." Now, I don't know if that's the official name, but the English language normally has one word, and underneath it falls multiple classifications and outcomes of that same word.
It isn't trying to normalize these though processes, but studying on why humans feel sort of emotions; why we get mad when someone mocks us, but this time these thoughts are a lot more complex.
What we consume is what we become, and not just by food, but also by the media that surrounds us specifically. The people you interact with, the videos you watch and listen to, it all plays a part of shaping who you are. (like how you said about it being a good launching off point) down the most obvious reasons on why a specific object is something that can be of use or provides comfort.
The desire of fitting in can be (as I said before) you getting influenced from those around you, which is why some might not even realize that they're fitting in. And another explanation is that humans are social beings, so some might be scared to have a different opinion and be "abandoned" from their society, like being looked down on, or just simply being ignored. I have given an optimistic opinion whilst the majority was being pessimistic, and I have actually felt them judging me despite them not having a counter-argument with my view except with the word "no." Some people might be intimidated of being criticized, which might make them shut down and not speak of their own opinions and thoughts on a subject.
(I'm sorry if I misunderstood or ignored any of your paints that you talked about, english isn't my first language so I sometimes struggle with reading a poetic-like writing form)
Hey! Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply, I really appreciate things like that, it makes me really happy. Ill spare you from the poetic, loose writing for this reply haha, sorry if its hard to understand!
I completely agree that sometimes that fitting into boxes is something that can be great, but the idea im trying to get at is those things add comfort that might make people scared to express themselves in ways that don't fit the ways they've "chosen" to react.
I love the idea that its spread simply by the fact its a popular idea! In reality, that is probably whats right. That it continues to go on because it is already a popular idea. Thats where a lot of the stranger ideas come from, after all. I guess what I am trying to figure out is where it originally "came from," like what was the core of these ideas that let it spread.
Yeah, I am pretty fond of both cynicism and optimism. I like both ideas and think that they have their own positives and negatives. The thing is, when you focus on only one idea, you kind of have a very limited view of the world. What Im trying to get at is that focusing always on of those things, of having your views determined by "optimist" or "pessimist" and not thinking further, is something that can cause a lack of thought.
I have a lot of times where I look on the bright side of things, so I totally understand where you're coming from when people come after you for it. Pessimism is a very, very common reaction to almost everything these days, and its pretty sad to see. Its also a really interesting idea that fear of criticism is what makes people agree with one view and constantly stick with it no matter what.
Once again, thank you for your thoughtful reply!
-Rachel Rosethorn
by RosethornRae; ; Report
oh I see! I completely understand all of your points. I've seen scripts that were thousands of years ago, and some showed pessimistic, optimistic, and all of those different types of views. So it seems it was sort of already there ever since humans came to life. It's not the best example, but if someone sees an apple for the first time and it's ripe and delicious, they'll think all apples are just as great as that one. Whilst someone who encounters a rotten apple might think every apple is horrible. It does cause a lack of thought at times since we don't like to be proven wrong and often stick with familiarity. In all honesty I might just repeat your points if I continue any further, but I do agree with everyone you just said and I wish more people would be able to understand this thought. ♡
by Shrimpoo; ; Report