Optimist, Pessimist, Realist

I was having a debate with a friend the other day about whether I was a pessimist or a realist. At the time they were telling me I was a downer and hence a pessimist but I thought there was more to it than that. I argued that the fact that I would rather be a realist instead of a pessimist showed that I cared to some degree and that cleared me from the label of pessimist. They responded by telling me I was just afraid of commitment, which my ex-girlfriend would probably agree with.

But realists can often seem like pessimists, especially when in the company of optimists (better known as naive fools, that is more realism based on experience). But never tell an optimist that unless you want to piss them off, in which case you can proceed that they should be more optimistic about your pessimism. This will quickly escalate the conversation into a primal affair and will render all intellectual conversation moot in exchange for a verbal pissing contest. Which is probably (subconsciously) the real reason anyone brought the topic up. Because one of you were probably just pissed about something unrelated and wanted to release your emotions in the most indirect and pointless way possible. Or you enjoy the emotional conflict because of some primal spirit, the spirit of debate or just plain boredom.

I guess optimists are setting themselves up for failure while living happily day to day. Pessimists are setting themselves up for success while living sadly day to day. Realists are just lingering between wasting away and blogging their thoughts, hoping someone important or some internet deity will object to or confirm what they are saying.