How is “”Depression is just contentment with a bad attitude” false exactly?
I’m not trying to claim its true or sport defend flat earth style. I truly believe it’s different.
But back in Covid and even early aftermath I remember so often thinking “There’s no reason to go out because we’re all so happy at home that out likely wont be any better” which I eventually noticed is awfully similar to “There’s no reason to go out because I’m so unhappy out that out likely won’t be any better.” Seemed like a possible window into others’ lived experience.
Not really a rationality question but this is the highest concentration I know of people who have known people with depression, and also people who can answer potentially emotionally charged questions rationally.
Are you saying depression is like pessimism, in the above quote? If so, are you saying they are not in fact different, or are you making a claim I’m missing about the difference?
Also sorry for the premature send if that is externally perceptible
I don’t have a lot to say about the difference. There was a time when I thought things could be better if they were given a critical look. The flip side of that, is that things can be better if improved from an ‘optimistic perspective’.
If that benefit is actually realized, maybe the pessimist (often) avoids food poisoning by not eating at fast food restaurants (often). The optimist may gain from realizing/seizing opportunity, or trying things.
(‘Maybe squaring the circle is impossible. But I want to know why.’
’Then just read _’s proof that it’s impossible.′
‘I don’t see any reason it can’t be done, it seems like I just have to find a way. So I’m going to give it a go.’
(According to some proofs, squaring the circle is impossible ‘using only a [particular set of tools]’.))
There’s also something else there: ‘What’s the point in doing that? I want to.’ I think some stuff like doing less has an association with depression.
How is “”Depression is just contentment with a bad attitude” false exactly?
I don’t know where this is from. (It sounds like it’s responding to something.)
How is “”Depression is just contentment with a bad attitude” false exactly?
I’m not trying to claim its true or sport defend flat earth style. I truly believe it’s different.
But back in Covid and even early aftermath I remember so often thinking “There’s no reason to go out because we’re all so happy at home that out likely wont be any better” which I eventually noticed is awfully similar to “There’s no reason to go out because I’m so unhappy out that out likely won’t be any better.” Seemed like a possible window into others’ lived experience.
Not really a rationality question but this is the highest concentration I know of people who have known people with depression, and also people who can answer potentially emotionally charged questions rationally.
The initial statement seemed wrong.
I’ve seen stuff about this, but I don’t remember where. I remember stuff like (summarizing the idea):
How awfully convenient it seems to be, for the optimists and the pessimists.
The optimists say, the world is alright, or even, wonderful, awesome, and amazing! (We don’t have to do anything.)
The pessimists say, the world is awful, terrible, unspeakably bad—but we can’t do anything about it.
Either the work is done, or it can never begin.
I have more thoughts on depression.
I look forward to hearing them
Are you saying depression is like pessimism, in the above quote? If so, are you saying they are not in fact different, or are you making a claim I’m missing about the difference?
Also sorry for the premature send if that is externally perceptible
There are other differences between the two, but I would say that depression is stronger than pessimism.
(Content warning: depressed/depressing sentiments.)
‘Everything seems to go wrong’
‘Why do anything?’
‘Nothing is worth doing.’
‘Life isn’t worth living.’
Only the first of these sounds like pessimism.
I don’t have a lot to say about the difference. There was a time when I thought things could be better if they were given a critical look. The flip side of that, is that things can be better if improved from an ‘optimistic perspective’.
If that benefit is actually realized, maybe the pessimist (often) avoids food poisoning by not eating at fast food restaurants (often). The optimist may gain from realizing/seizing opportunity, or trying things.
(‘Maybe squaring the circle is impossible. But I want to know why.’
’Then just read _’s proof that it’s impossible.′
‘I don’t see any reason it can’t be done, it seems like I just have to find a way. So I’m going to give it a go.’
(According to some proofs, squaring the circle is impossible ‘using only a [particular set of tools]’.))
There’s also something else there: ‘What’s the point in doing that? I want to.’ I think some stuff like doing less has an association with depression.
I don’t know where this is from. (It sounds like it’s responding to something.)