Etiology of a Mental Disorder
the chicken, the egg, or Kerry?
Two-thirds of Americans are more hopeful than fearful about what 2006 has in store for them personally, and six in 10 are optimistic about the world more broadly in the year to come. Despite a spate of natural disasters, the positive outlook for the world is slightly improved from last year, while the level of personal optimism is about the same.
...Two years ago, most Democrats, independents and Republicans alike were hopeful about 2004. Today, Democrats are 32 points less likely to be hopeful about what 2006 has in store for them personally, and 17 points less likely to be hopeful for the world.
So what’s the source of the change? Izzit howlers like Farrikkan and Dean actually having an effect on those of weak mind and weaker reality-testing skills? [while we snigger at them it is good to keep in mind that there are some who actually think the howlers are serious persons of ideas in positions of responsibility… *shudder of fear*]
Or izzit more along the lines of the The Cosmic Test of Political Affiliation, stemming from the individual’s World View mistaken for zeitgeist? Nihilism as Fashion Statement and all that?
I’m thinkin’ the origin of one’s optimism is in one’s View of Human Nature.
Some folks think that Humans are intrinsically Good, capable, strong and, in most instances, will strive mightily to Do the Right Thing. All people really need is a place fairly free from interference and they will build and develop and create and grow and learn to Walk in Beauty.
Some fulk© believe Humans are Bad, nasty, brutish and weak and, given half a chance, will rip you off and dump your bleeding body in an alley. What people really need is to be monitored and restricted from being their ‘real’ selves while being regulated into submission and ‘helped’ into correct behavior and thought. [...er, ...by other humans...but that’s not important, now]
As simply typing that last para made me incredibly depressed and bitterly pessimistic, I think my theory tests true.
Whatchoo think?
ThanQ! Armstrong & Getty
[as an Aside; I also think that someone’s View of Human Nature tells ya more about them personally than about Humans in general. ...in which case I am wont to be veeeerrrrry careful when around the Humans are Bad crowd.]
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