(no subject)

[jackofallgeeks]

So I subscribe to Popular Science and Scientific American (and if anyone out there has suggestions, I'm looking for philosophy, mathematical, or psychology based perioticles as well), and there were some interesting gems in there this month. The first was that expecting to be disappointed (and being disappointed) is more disappointing that being positive (and being disappointed). There was an interesting theory about faster-than-light travel based around negative energy, and a bit about possible weapons-grade lasers by 2015.

Really, though, I was most interested by the disappointment thing, since common wisom says that if you expect to fail, it won't be as bad when you do.

And now I run to class.

Comments

[quix.livejournal.com]

I've always disagreed with that philosophy. That expecting to be disappointed (and being either pleasantly surprised when you're wrong or being resigned when what you expected to happen did) is somehow a better way of viewing life. I don't think it's "common wisdom" at all. It is the very essence of pessimism.

I'd much rather expect for good things to happen. It allows for a much better frame of mind and enjoyable perspective the majority of the time.

Jess occasionally touts the 'I'd rather expect to be disappointed' mantra and it rarely fails to frustrate me. Happy people create happier circumstances! It's as simple as that!