Saturday, February 21, 2026

5TP From Idealist to Cynic: 02-21-2026

A pessimist is what an optimist calls a realist.” —Ashley Williams, a character from the video game Mass Effect.

  1. Thesis: Idealist/Utopian/Visionary/Dreamer. Believes in perfect and ideal forms. Sees mostly or only the good potential and positive outcomes.
  2. Thesis-Incorporating-Antithesis: Optimist/Hopeful Meliorist/Encourager. Mostly positive, believes things can and likely will improve, but realistically admits some flaws and obstacles will occur.
  3. Synthesis: Realist/Neutralist/Balancer/Observer. Sees both sides equally, neither strongly affirms nor denies improvement or perfection, focuses with low valence (acceptance, bare attention, cognitive distancing, defusion, detachment, equanimous observation, objectivity, stoicism).
  4. Antithesis-Incorporating-Thesis: Pessimist/Cautious Skeptic/Cautioner. Mostly negative, expects things to stay difficult or worsen, but grudgingly admits that some good elements or small wins can occur.
  5. Antithesis: Cynic/Nihilist/Defeatist/Detractor. All-negative, believes perfection is impossible, people and society are fundamentally flawed and corrupt; therefore, no real progress is possible.

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