Realism tends to correlate with hopelessness and nihilism, so I choose to believe in things that aren't necessarily realistic. Especially since there are records of extraordinary things actually happening, but I digress.
It’s mind set. If you are informed and intelligent you are aware of the fragility of life and the risks of the world as well as it’s suffering. But you can be aware of risk and still be prepared or accepting of it. The key is in outlook. I could be robbed any time, but I’ve done all I can to protect myself and prevent it. I hope to never have a violent confrontation and have the knowledge and experience to know the risks and consequences, but I don’t live in fear of it as it is simply part of life. Many “realists” are just pessimists justifying their negative outlooks. As you rightly say- and true realist must account for the possibility of the improbable. You don’t change the world or even your own life by precluding your possibilities with “it’s unlikely I can do this so I won’t try.”
Lol. It often can, but it can also be a source of misery. But not being ignorant doesn’t have to mean fixation on the less pleasant aspects of a thing. I use the “Santa” example. Kids believe in Santa- it brings them joy. Then they become young adults and tend to stop believing in Santa. This often comes with a “realist cynicism” many teens experience. Then they become adults and realize Santa brings children joy, and is fun for the adult pretending to be Santa too, so wether Santa is real or not the joy and anticipation of Santa are real. We go through phases of life where we discover more information and more perspectives on things and our feelings can change on wether we see things negatively or not. It’s a cycle of disillusion that repeats in many things until we either generally take an apathetic view of things, or accept things as having good and bad points simultaneously.
I think I may have skipped that "realist cynicism" phase, because I never stopped loving Santa.
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· 6 years ago
I started liking santa for very different reasons.
But, that besides the point. Guest, do you think that Rick and Morty reinforces this realist nihilistic phase and will have an overall effect on the younger generation?
That becomes a very deep and philosophical debate. But agreed. What we are aware of and how we choose to interpret that information are two different things.
That’s the missing piece here. Focus. Most of history’s “greats” have had focus. What we choose to focus on is in large part going to have great impact on our mental state. Not enough and you’re over thinking and looking off into the weeds. Too much in the wrong places and you’re missing things that are key to happiness.
It’s true that many of the worlds “great thinkers” have had some type of mental illness or depression. It’s true that studies have shown people who score higher on intelligence tests can have higher rates of mental conditions like bipolar disorder and depression. Many artists as well have had mental illnesses, but intelligence is hard to quantify and creativity (a form of intelligence) even more so. Further more scientists and psychologists are both divided on wether the two are linked in any meaningful way, or if instances are even higher than the general population in artists and “great thinkers.” It’s important to remember correlation doesn’t equal causation, and to not romanticize mental conditions or normalize anxiety and angst as the marks of intelligence.
Dumb people are just happier, they don't tend to realize how much there is to worry about. Not saying this to be detrimental, just something I have found to be true.
Stupid people tend to have less to worry about because they lack the ability to worry about more complicated things.
Also you're making quite a strong statement based on really loose tendencies.
feel so bad for people that are psychologists. they have to go to college to figure out how the human mind works and what others think and how they came to that conclusion.
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· 6 years ago
This is the most advanced comment strip on here. Filled with smart comments, well thought out answers, and an even debate.
But, that besides the point. Guest, do you think that Rick and Morty reinforces this realist nihilistic phase and will have an overall effect on the younger generation?
t. guy who always disagrees with me
Also you're making quite a strong statement based on really loose tendencies.