Today the fourth and last type op pessimist, The Treadmill Thinker.
The treadmill thinker recognizes the objective standards of progress:
more wealth, less violence, a longer life, but believes that, despite everything, we are in a kind of standstill in one way or another.
In the economy, treadmill thinking is primarily associated with the Easterlin paradox.
People in rich countries do not feel happier than people in poor countries, economist Richard Easterlin noted in the 1970s
and the level of happiness in Western societies has barely risen in the last two centuries.
We run and run, but we don't get a step further, just like hamsters in a treadmill.
In the meantime we now know that money to some extend does make people happy, but the treadmill thinkers continue to persist in pessimism.
A completely different variant of treadmill pessimism is found in "social justice warriors".
A defense of moral progress, for example in the fight against racism, works like a red rag on a bull in those circles.
According to them, we have hardly made any progress. One moral evil may have disappeared, but it has been exchanged for another that is just as bad.
The undisguised and raw racism of the past has been reduced, but it has been replaced by implicit or systematic racism. Take for instance gerrymandering in the US.
Gerrymandering is a practice intended to establish an unfair political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating district boundaries.
People crush each other's skulls less often than in the past, but instead we get 'rudeness': rude behavior, trolling, online bullying.
We enjoy unprecedented freedom, but suffer from choice stress. Just like cyclical thinking, treadmill pessimism can undermine the motivation to create a better world.
If one evil , like racism, oppression or§ violence, is always again exchanged for another, we might as well stop fighting.
Racism is then a predominantly insoluble system that has penetrated all pores of our society.
A similar point applies to people who still believe in the Easterlin paradox.
If wealth does not make us happy, then it makes no sense that poor people rise to our level of prosperity.
Then you might as well remain poor and unhappy instead of being rich and unhappy.
The idea of progress was invented in the West, as Kishore Mahbubani writes.
The Western European Enlightenment thinkers believed that mankind could improve his own destiny by gathering better and better knowledge of the world,
that progress is not a matter of historical necessity, but of diligent human work.
We have already made enormous progress, but we are far from living in the 'best of all possible worlds'.
The methods of science, free market and liberal democracy are our best hope of creating an even better world.
When will Westerners regain their belief in progress? It is time that we shift our attention to the Optimist.
Thank you for your attention...
Main Sources:
MacMillan The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2nd edition
Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 1995
http://plato.stanford.edu/contents.htm
Dagblad TROUW (2019)
Dagblad TROUW (2019)
The Discussion
[13:18] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:19] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Thank you Herman
[13:19] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): still reason for hope
[13:19] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): hard tho
[13:19] herman Bergson: There is Gemma ^_^
[13:19] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Been running on a treadmill before today but not a threadmill pessimist I think, well a little maybe
[13:20] herman Bergson: Maybe the following project will bring some hope :-)
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): what will that be?
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sometimes it can indeed feel like we just move in cycles but something I happening
[13:20] herman Bergson: About the Optimist, Gemma :-)
[13:20] CB Axel: This is the kind of pessimist I am, but I have a tiny bit of hope.
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ahha
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:21] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:21] CB Axel: Check with me again after the election. :)
[13:21] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): wonders how cb will do with that
[13:21] herman Bergson: Crossed my mind CB
[13:21] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): more worried than before about that election
[13:21] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I was really optimist
[13:21] herman Bergson: I am wondering tho....
[13:21] CB Axel: If Trump stays in the White House AND if the Senate remains Republican, that will be the end of any hope I have.
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but have been watching fox news lately
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): scary
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not budging
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): is sl better than this morning?
[13:22] CB Axel: Are Europeans more optimistic that I am?
[13:22] herman Bergson: Maybe we underestimate people.....and are easily inclined to believe that in general they are stupid
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): maybe
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm indeed, we have the worlds biggest lier in the white house who also claims that its everyone else ho lie and he have it all right and that they all are babies when its he who is the baby
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): a gigant fat baby
[13:23] herman Bergson: I guess I am more optimistic than you are CB
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): howling all he can when he don't get as he wants
[13:23] Anna Adamant Albion (anna.adamant) is online.
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): anyone is
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:23] CB Axel: lol
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): WAAAAAAHAHHHHH!
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): (sighs)
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well only time will teell
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ill hope for the best
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that he gets kicked out
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): trying to be as optimistic I can
[13:25] herman Bergson: As Shiff said....if this behavior will not be impeached WHAT ever can there be impeached anymore in a presidents behavior
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:25] CB Axel: I have to get my state of mind improved soon.
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): true
[13:25] herman Bergson: That is what Reps have to ask themselves sincerely!
[13:26] CB Axel: I'm going to our state capital in February for a press conference for the introduction of a bill for medical aid in dying.
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): waits to see what happens after the trial is over and he is COMPLETLEY EXHONORATED!!
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:26] CB Axel: LOL
[13:26] herman Bergson: That would be an absurdity....
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes it will
[13:27] herman Bergson: The end of credibility in American politics
[13:27] CB Axel: If I could find any sincere Republicans I'd kiss them.
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): he is forever impeached no matter what the verdict is
[13:27] herman Bergson: The whole word would laugh at the silly Americans
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): except
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Putin
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): well he will laugh too
[13:28] herman Bergson: He will be laughing loudest Gemma.....he won!
[13:28] CB Axel: If only we could convince Trump's base that the world is laughing.
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but with a different attitude
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): the others laugh as we are idiots
[13:28] herman Bergson: right
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): trumps base has no idea there ia another world
[13:29] herman Bergson: So we definitely need a project on optimism and positive belief in man
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right!!!
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) whispers: hopes we dont laugh at that
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): (imagines trump being rolled out in a gigant pram from court to jail howling like a well gigant baby while throwing toys around)
[13:30] herman Bergson: Classic stand Gemma....the optimist is simple naive :-)
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that would be a sight
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): well that will take years but will happe
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): happen
[13:30] CB Axel: He won't go to jail until he's out of office.
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:30] CB Axel: Then I hope the Southern District of New York nails him.
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right!!!!!!
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i think they are waiting!!!!!
[13:31] herman Bergson: How many lawsuits are running against T at the moment.....30+ ?
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): (imagines trump climging to desk while they try pull him out) I DONT WANNA GO I DONT WAAAAAAAHHH WAAAAAAHHHH!
[13:31] CB Axel: Me, too. I picture them drooling in anticipation.
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): more i think
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): lol
[13:31] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): lol Bejiita
[13:32] herman Bergson: As you may have noticed...the pessimist theories are very familiar....
[13:32] CB Axel: There's a whole Wikipedia page regarding lawsuits against Trump.
[13:32] herman Bergson: oh wow...interesting...
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok
[13:33] CB Axel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lawsuits_involving_Donald_Trump
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): well i picture some people with guns lined up around the white house if he loses
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): facing out
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well there should be a view, half of them lies of different form and BS talking and boasting
[13:33] herman Bergson: The present situation is a nice test to test your inclination.....you go for doomsday or the victory of rationality
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): (checks the interesting list with a smirk)
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): or fingers crossed
[13:34] CB Axel: Here we are talking about Trump again. I guess we have to wait until discussing optimism before we talk about anything/anyone else. :)
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well lets hope for the best, thats all we can do
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): maybe we should make a new rule
[13:34] herman Bergson: And as an optimist I still have hope for the American people and their ability to be rational and use common sense
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa true
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i do too until i watch fox
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): something have to change now to the better
[13:35] herman Bergson: I only see one problem that is so deeply embedded in that culture.....
[13:35] herman Bergson: the fear to become a loser.....
[13:35] CB Axel: Rationality and common sense don't help when one side cheats.
[13:35] herman Bergson: Some will do anything to prevent that to happen to them
[13:36] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): he is already a loser
[13:36] CB Axel: They gerrymander, suppress voters, lie, let Putin lie for them... the list goes on.
[13:36] herman Bergson: If the cheating is exposed you still can be optimistic CB :-)
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): now might be going after medicare
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): news
[13:36] CB Axel: It's hard to get voters who have been kicked off the voter rolls back on to vote.
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and another tax cut lolol
[13:37] CB Axel: It's hard to overcome the gerrymandering.
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): very
[13:37] herman Bergson: I must say, that gerrymandering you have invented in 1812 is really a beauty in cheating
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): omg yes
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): OMG!!!
[13:37] CB Axel: Our votes don't count, so there isn't much we can do.
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): well did not start out that way
[13:37] CB Axel: I will vote. I have to try. But I am pessimistic.
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:38] CB Axel: Gemma, you're forgetting about how they're getting rid of clean water regulations.
[13:38] herman Bergson: Also a pessimist can vote, CB :-)
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oh no i am not
[13:38] CB Axel: If they can't gerrymander us out of the voting booth they'll poison us.
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): adn possible allowing of blueprints etc for plastic make at home guns now
[13:39] CB Axel: But if they have taken away our right to vote or have changed who we can vote for, voting won't change anything.
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): so many good regs gone
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): even going after the school lunch regs
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): school lunch
[13:39] CB Axel nods
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): to loosen the good foods put in
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): amazing stuff
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): replacing with trans fats and shit again?
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): anything that has the Obama fingerprints
[13:40] herman Bergson: I guess that is Misses DeVos her work?
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): male or female obama
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): she is a piece of work!!!
[13:40] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): here in the Netherlands we don't have school lunch the children have to take their lunch from home to school
[13:41] herman Bergson: Right
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it is good but the reason it was started here beertje was for the childrne who HAD no vood at thome
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): food
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): truely
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): imagine
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): teh so called greatest country i n the world
[13:42] herman Bergson: Well...maybe rare, but it happens in The Netherlands too
[13:42] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): but that is no reason to feed the children with unhealthy food
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it was not all unhealthy
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): truly
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but M obama wanted more fresh fruit and veggies
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not unrecognizable meat
[13:43] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): yak
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and fries
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): the fast food is an issue, sure I can eat KFC and McDonalds now and then but not ALL the time like many over there seem to do = walking bowling balls
[13:43] herman Bergson: We know that the general policy of the Trump team is to abolish everything Obama achieved
[13:43] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): fries at school?
[13:43] CB Axel: Remember when Reagan declared ketchup a vegetable?
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): from the very first day
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I'm Sorry! to say I do lol
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I sorry..
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and then sit and zap the tv all day with no activity else
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): this is the same
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ketchup CAN actually be really healthy because the nutrients in the tomato gets released when processed
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its the sugar that is the problem
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that they add
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): too much sugar yes
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): I actually think the ketchup with less sugar is tastier becaue the sugar drench the flavour often same with soft drinks
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): they would be tastier if a litle less sweet, the flavour components come out better
[13:45] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): soft drinks, fries, ketchup......omg
[13:46] herman Bergson: Take tomato paste, add some vinegar and spices and you have perfect ketchup :-))
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and now I got hungry so gonna go and grab a pie from the fridge
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ok if you say so
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): after all threadmill running before
[13:46] herman Bergson: Ok Bejiita....
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:47] herman Bergson: To prevent that this class will end in a cooking class let's close our discussion :-)
[13:47] CB Axel: lol
[13:47] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): smiles
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): I mixed taco ketchup recently
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yum!
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ok!
[13:47] herman Bergson: There we go...!
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hehe time to get a snack everyone!
[13:47] bergfrau Apfelbaum: ok let's go make ketchup :-) thank you Herman and class!
[13:47] herman Bergson: Class dismissed...^_^
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
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