It seems to me there's been plenty of doom-and-gloom on display these past few years. The environmentalists alone could spark a boom in sackcloth and ashes. And, while it may be wise not to be unduly optimistic, we would also do well to remind ourselves of something Colette said: " ... there are more urgent and honorable occupations than the incomparable waste of time we call suffering." Or, as roofer Ray Nocella just remarked to me, "Suffering should be a hobby, not an occupation."
Thanks (he said sardonically) for sharing the article about the conflict between pessimism and optimism, with the author of the article banging-the-drum-slowly on behalf of the celebrated downers in life. Frank, perhaps your wise roofer has is correct; on the other hand, perhaps matter-of-fact realism is the proper perspective, and following Colette's admonition, there is so much to be observed and celebrated in the sanguine realities of life that surround us that we really have no need of Seneca's unpleasantness; instead, let's celebrate life (since the alternative is, for the most part, unacceptable).
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