The Optimism Bias — Don’t Let it Kill You

Optimism — a mental attitude reflecting a belief or hope that outcomes will be positive.

If it weren’t for optimism, many of our greatest achievements would not have come to fruition.

As Nietzsche said, us humans like to fool ourselves in order to orient towards the future.

If we weren’t optimistic, or at least hopeful that our actions would result in positive outcomes, then we’d find it mighty difficult to get out of bed in the morning.

But like most things, taken too far or unjustified, unchecked optimism can prove to be your undoing.

The Dark Side of Optimism

Simpsons fans will recall Homer’s attempt at jumping Springfield Gorge with a skateboard.

Here’s how it went down…

Bart wants to jump across the gorge on his skateboard, Captain Lance Murdock-style. Homer instead attempts to make the jump in an attempt to show his son the dangers of doing daredevil stuntwork, but Bart chooses to not do daredevil stunts ever again in an attempt to prevent Homer from doing it. However, Homer, due to the skateboard unexpectedly going on with Homer on it, almost makes the jump, falling to the bottom banging his head as he goes along. The ambulance later crashes into a tree, sending Homer out…