>
> "Kristin A. Ruhle" wrote:
> >
> > So the guy's decided to be a Professional Optimist (tm). well I doubt
> > optimists are objectively right more often than pessimists - could be less
> > - but they (a) cheer people up (b) are happier for the illusions they
> > cherish.
> >
> > He probably decided he could make more money that way. Professional
> > Optimists are in demand especially with corporations and big money
> > interests to tell them What they Want to Hear. Which IMO is simply
> > prostituting yourself. For sale to the highest bidder! Despicable.
> >
> > Kristin
> > yes, I'm A CYNIC! Sometimes you have to overstate a problem to get
> > anybody to do anything about it! Y2K doomsayers did us a favor!
>
> The problem is, if a prediction hasn't come true 30 years after it was
> supposed to happen, people don't take that particular prediction
> seriously anymore. Pessimism is very good for initially calling
> attention to a problem, but if the case is overstated for too long, then
> anyone overstating it will be looked at as a nutcase or someone with an
> axe to grind by a great many people.
>
I take it you mean Paul Ehrlich??? THe Population Bomb ruined *his*
credibility, he's spent years trying to get it back.........
> I don't think he's a professional optimist, as much as he is a REALIST.
> He doesn't seem to be a Pollyanna or anything like that, or someone
> despairing that we're going to totally kill the planet within the next
> 10 years. There is a middle ground between pessimism and optimism, and
> I think that's where he is
Do you think there is room for a professional pessimist?
Ed Yourdon (a famous computer expert) warned that the sky was falling on
Y2K....
>
> Kristin, you have a tendency to see things in terms of black and white,
> when a lot of things have lots of grey shades. The world isn't all
> binary; there are real numbers between 0 and 1.
>
> And from what little I've r
ead about the guy, it's not about money, it's
> about integrity. I could be way off base, but at least I don't think
> I'm selling him short. You may be selling him short with that
> assessment of him. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, at
> least, and I don't see why you couldn't do the same, unless you're stuck
> in this binary mindset you appear to espouse.
>
If it's about integrity then why do the Greens so despise him as a
traitor?
Corporations must love this guy, so if it is truly about integrity he
should avoid taking any money from them. That would make him more
credible.
Kristin
Well, i Date a registered green
but doesn't mean i AM one .
