Why pessimism sounds smart
rootsofprogress.org · 451 words · saved by 4 readers
Optimism requires believing in an unknown, unproven future
Pessimists sound smart. Optimists make money. –Nat Friedman (quoted by Patrick) I’ve realized a new reason why pessimism sounds smart: optimism often requires believing in unknown, unspecified future breakthroughs—which seems fanciful and naive. If you very soberly, wisely, prudently stick to the known and the proven, you will necessarily be pessimistic. No proven resources or technologies can sustain economic growth. The status quo will plateau. To expect growth is to believe in future technologies. To expect very long-term growth is to believe in science fiction. No known solutions can…
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