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Worry, fear, and anxiety seem to be unavoidable aspects of human life in the modern era. We might start our day worrying about whether we’ve studied enough for an upcoming test, or anxious about how others perceive us, or afraid that we’ll miss out if we stay in at night instead of going out. Even though humanity has achieved unprecedented control over the natural environment – where few of us face the dangers of wild animals, succumb to once-fatal illnesses, or endure severe hunger or thirst – our modern lives are still plagued by emotional burdens. Social relationships, work or student life, and inner struggles continue to cause negative emotions. Even if we wake up feeling unbothered and unworried, it only takes a glance at the news to find plenty of reasons to fear for our future and that of the world.
The illusion of positivity
In response to these struggles, we often hear a seemingly simple solution advocated by Instagram influencers, online articles, or even strangers: “Be optimistic and think positive!” What great advice – why didn’t I think of that? But even if following this advice were as easy as it sounds, is it truly the right approach? Having a positive outlook and an optimistic attitude might seem like a universally good thing, but isn’t it just a willful obliviousness to what is really happening to us and the world around us?
Anyone who reads the news might feel a lurking sense of anxiety. Climate change manifests in natural disasters, wars in Europe lead to staggering death tolls, tensions in East Asia are escalating, and American domestic politics resemble bad fiction. The world appears so overwhelmingly bleak – how can we cultivate a positive attitude? One way is to close our (metaphorical) eyes and focus on a narrow slice of reality. We might choose to tend to our gardens, enjoy meals with loved ones, and live in blissful ignorance, deliberately ignoring the world’s problems.
Escaping reality vs. embracing solutions
But is this truly positive thinking? It seems more like not thinking at all! We’re simply shrinking our own mental horizons and blocking out thoughts that do not immediately benefit us. Can this really be a fulfilling life? We’re merely running away from reality, pretending that everything is fine. What a pathetically impoverished condition for a human being!
Furthermore, if everyone were to adopt this fatalistic mindset, there would be no hope left for finding feasible solutions to the challenges we face. And isn’t hope the essence of optimism? Perhaps that’s what people mean when they advocate an optimistic outlook: to always believe that things will work out well, no matter how unlikely it might seem. While this certainly qualifies as optimism, it also borders on delusion! If we face the precarious state of geopolitics and the deterioration of our environment without any concrete plan to prevent an impending collapse, and yet remain hopeful, we’re not being wholesomely optimistic – we’re being irrational! Optimism without a tangible cause is merely a belief in some miraculous intervention that will save us. While I’m not denying the possibility of science finding a viable solution for carbon fixation or geopolitical tensions easing, there’s no rational basis to assume these things will happen on their own.
So far, we’ve reduced positivity and optimism to either naïve avoidance of negativity or an irrational belief in miraculous solutions, reminiscent of religious salvation. Perhaps the only way to truly foster hope is by taking an active stance and creating reasons to be optimistic about the future – for example, through activism. This way, we acknowledge the grim reality but dedicate our energy and willpower to overcoming adversities. However, no matter how determined, influential, or wealthy a person may be, the limits of human power mean that even the most devoted efforts might never overcome some realities. While still commendable, the limited success in changing the world has shattered the optimism of many activists in the past, and is likely to continue to do so.
Confronting despair
A dark picture emerges: the world is in a desolate state, with its future appearing even more grim. We can choose oblivion or baseless optimism to avoid confronting reality and maintain an illusion of security. Or, if we choose reason and strive to change the world for the better, we may arrive at resignation, faced with the limited impact one individual can have on a global scale. Positivity, optimism, hope, and self-confidence can feel misplaced, even offensive. We wouldn’t tell a war victim who has lost everything to think positively, or say that the situation isn’t that bad if you look at it from the right perspective. There is simply no such perspective without being detached from reality. Frustration, resignation, and even despair are more appropriate responses.
So, is it the fate of any rational person to fall into despair, accepting that there is no hope, that no god will save us, and that humanity is doomed to suffer horrific harm? This might seem like the time to introduce an unexpected resurgence of positivity, a glimmer of hope that it’s still worth fighting for the future. But the common attitude of optimism and positive thinking offers nothing but a comforting delusion. The silver lining, however, is that we don’t have to be sad about it!
Embracing reality
The future of the world doesn’t look too enticing, but must this prevent us from being happy? We must learn to accept that countless lives will be destroyed by forces beyond our control. Rather than dreading this reality, we should cultivate a reverent and respectful attitude towards all the innocent victims of impending catastrophes, just as we have towards the victims of past disasters and atrocities. Instead of being paralysed by the thought of immense and ultimately futile human suffering, we should use it as motivation to appreciate and give meaning to our own lives. There is no justifiable reason for some people to starve while others feast, or for some to be killed while others watch a movie. We may not be able to fix these injustices, but we owe it to the past, present, and future victims of human history to live meaningful lives, appreciating the depth of existence – a gift not everyone has been fortunate enough to enjoy. This doesn’t mean that we must be as happy as possible; rather, we should strive to live a mindful, meaningful life. Living meaningfully can entail many things, but it certainly involves trying to make a positive difference, appreciating the world and its complexities, while still accepting things as they are, including the inevitability of human suffering.
So instead of hiding behind delusions or blind faith in salvation, I propose abandoning naïve positivity and optimism in favour of a realistic yet graceful attitude towards the world’s issues and human suffering. We should never ignore the potential or actual disasters and atrocities happening, and always strive to make the world a better place, even if it’s just in a small way. But if we fail to counter the worsening state of the world, we should not flee behind ignorant optimism. Rather, we should face the sadness and despair, accepting the tragic and limited nature of the human condition. At the very least, we can find solace in knowing that we stood up against adversity and tried our best.
