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Old 01-06-2017, 08:15 PM   #1
Pico and ME
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I'm a defensive Pessimist, not fatalistic optimist

The theory of defensive pessimism suggests that imagining—and planning for—worst-case scenarios can be more effective than trying to think positively.

This is so me.
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Old 01-06-2017, 09:04 PM   #2
Clodfobble
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I'm a cynical defensive pessimist--in the same way that washing your car "makes" it rain, I believe that preparing for the worst is how I ensure it won't happen, because that means I will have wasted all that work. And since I know beforehand that doing the work is going to guarantee me a good outcome, I feel optimistic.
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Old 01-06-2017, 10:02 PM   #3
footfootfoot
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The glass is
a) half full
b) half empty
c) twice as big as it needs to be
d) going to have to be washed. By me. Again.

An optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds and a pessimist thinks the optimist is right.


But in regards to your original point, that's how I always think and live. Any design or system that relies on things not going awry is by nature a poor design. Always assume the bottle will leak in your back pack and pack your camera accordingly, it's foolish to rely on things not going wrong in order for your plan to work.
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Old 01-06-2017, 11:18 PM   #4
Pico and ME
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You should see me pack for a trip.
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Jesse LaGreca in 2012

“Seven Deadly Sins: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Science without humanity, Knowledge without character, Politics without principle, Commerce without morality, Worship without sacrifice.” – Mahatma Gandhi
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Old 01-07-2017, 10:16 AM   #5
BigV
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pico and ME View Post
You should see me pack for a trip.
Ahhh... FAWET. *sigh*

They say that there are only two kinds of travelers, those who pack light and those who wish they had.
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Old 01-07-2017, 10:14 AM   #6
BigV
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Seattle
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Quote:
Originally Posted by footfootfoot View Post
The glass is
a) half full
b) half empty
c) twice as big as it needs to be
d) going to have to be washed. By me. Again.

An optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds and a pessimist thinks the optimist is right.


But in regards to your original point, that's how I always think and live. Any design or system that relies on things not going awry is by nature a poor design. Always assume the bottle will leak in your back pack and pack your camera accordingly, it's foolish to rely on things not going wrong in order for your plan to work.
c) twice as big as it needs to be -- said the Engineer
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Old 01-07-2017, 02:44 PM   #7
sexobon
I love it when a plan comes together.
 
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I've found that two old sayings, when used in combination, keep things fairly well balanced:

Hope for the best and plan for the worst; also, Be concerned; but, don't worry.
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