Scientists Want To Make (Some) People More Pessimistic

There's a downside to the upside, and believe it or not, an upside to the downside. Here's why considering the worst case might lead to better outcomes.

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[EayuProuxm]

"Everything is quantifiable if you try hard enough."

This is one of the most optimistic statements one can make in life

[nebulan]

as someone who suffers anxiety I sometimes have to talk myself out of the pessimistic scenario and into a realistic scenario.

[evilferris]

The optimist said that the glass is half full, the pessimist said it's half empty. But the engineer said, it's a good thing I have this redundant glass just in case!

[dykam]

Indirectly the most impactful thing I get out of this video is that it's the first time (I've heard) that we can detect some basic character trait using brain scans rather than using psychology.

[Auric-BraiNerd]

I'm a neuroscientist and when I saw this paper I was really upset because it totally ignored another important piece of this which is that pessimistic behavior protects you but... it also restrains you from opportunity. Sometimes there are very important things you need to do that only have a 40% chance of success (or way way less). A lot of success stories are based on people who don't want to know the odds because they want to do what they're going to do regardless. Big risks can come with big downsides but it can also come with big reward. Living a fulfilled life sometimes means pursuing the improbable.

These days we worship an insidious brand of cynicism masquerading as "realism."
A "realist" is someone who is so obsessed with what "IS" that they neglect what "could be.

[marcoasturias]

If you were told there's a 60% of rain and not think you have a 60% of getting wet, I feel the problem is not that you're an optimist, that's more like short term memory loss.

[uncroppedsoop]

these are very technical definitions of pessimism and optimism, I mean I've always considered myself an optimist as a personality trait because I'm good at seeing silver linings and bouncing back from bad moods, etc., but by this definition? absolutely a pessimist. I find it odd to define it based off of carelessness when I just want to be a little more careful to be sure I don't end up unhappy, it's literally a thought of "yeah I think I'll feel better if I take this precaution"

[LoveHandle]

“The problem is the stupid ones are full of confidence, while the intelligent ones are full of doubt’s.” -Charles Bukowski

[LoveHandle]

No matter how Pessimistic I am, I will always love Hank Green.🙏

[ginnyjollykidd]

I think semantics are important, too. A test on optimism vs. pessimism is different for different people. A person with fibromyalgia will pick a different number on the pain scale than a person who doesn't experience chronic pain on a daily basis. Same with optimism and pessimism, as you have mentioned.

There are different perceptions of the terms. Also, there are perceptions of the words. Perhaps levels of practicality is a better measure. Measure the practicality for the person who goes without protection into an environment with 70% chance of rain vs. a person going with a raincoat in an environment with 20% chance of rain.

What if they are spending different amounts of time in the exposed environment? Into a car vs. a bus or walking? Before or after the trip? The distance exposed after the trip? During the trip? A newspaper for protection vs. a raincoat vs. an umbrella?

many factors to consider.

[SanjayMerchant]

I'd be interested to see how this intersects with things like depression or anxiety. Like, if you're too pessimistic, can that manifest as anhedonia or a panic attack?

[AceSpadeThePikachu]

As someone who has suffered from chronic depression, anxiety and paranoia most of my life, I feel like we need to consider the mental health implications of this kind of treatment. From personal experience I know that while too much optimism can lead to poor judgement, too much pessimism can lead to lack of motivation, self-doubt, nihilistic outlook and even suicidal tendencies. It's all about balance.

That being said, perhaps this treatment can also be used to help people with depression by triggering the opposite stimuli (help someone suffering from chronic depression feel a little bit better.)

[SILVERFX]

I've always considered myself a realistic pessimist. I don't obsess over things that have basically no chance of happening, but I do always assume that the worst realistic outcome will happen and plan accordingly.

[luddity]

As one gets older and more scarred by life, being cold and wet no longer holds the same appeal as it once did.

[loupax]

The phrase “scientists try to make people more pessimistic for their own good” sounds like a dystopian novel prompt.

[Hodmindod]

I’ve always had a problem with the Glass half full / Glass half empty question. I always say, “It depends on whether it was just filled or not.”

[Bighawkeye]

That study/experiment where they shut down a part of the brain with magnets was wild! It's amazing that we can do that and be so precise! Great video

[rowandoggo]

No need to make me more so, I'm already as pessimistic as I can possibly be

[AnimilesYT]

It may be 30°C with a clear blue sky and no rain predicted for at least a week, but I'll still carry around an umbrella. I always have it in my bag because I don't pay much attention to the weather. I want to have an umbrella with me when it rains, and I know I won't take it with me if it isn't in my bag by default :)

[lh]

I'm one of those project manager pessimists. The kind that will check air pressure before a trip, test smoke alarms, etc. I'm always brainstorming what could go wrong, but in a sort of detached to-do list way.