Optimist vs. Pessimist vs. Realist

[ND_HAS_RISEN]

Which one are you?

Examples:

Optimist-

T. Rees---349 yds on 34/49 w/ 3 tds
M. Floyd---189 yds on 11 rec w/ 2 tds
C. Wood---147 yds on 24 rush w/ 1 td
We force 2 turnovers
Final Score ND-41
U of M-28

Pessimist-

Michigan 42 ND 24

Although shockily, this could probably be the "realist"

Realist-

Scenario #1: Defense plays a decent to solid game, with very little offensive miscues.
Result: Notre Dame wins, possibly comfortably if things go well.

Scenario #2: Defense plays poorly, but offense is clicking.'
Result: Shootout. Possibility of victory.

Scenario #3: Defense plays poorly, offense turns the ball over again and again like last week.
Result: Rather formidable loss. Season collapses.

I have been an optimist for the past 6 years and its done nothing but take years off my life. I can never be a pessimist, but my god, if I don't start seeing some results, my kids will grow up just like NDOM (from all the bit***** and yelling I do on Saturdays). I think I can be a realist, but then I think I'll just drive myself crazy thinking about all the possible outcomes.

In short, I DON"T KNOW WTF I am anymore (And yes, I know it was only one game........for the past 20 years...)

I gotta go teach some 9 year olds now to not make the same mistakes as ND did on Saturday. Here's looking for some conversation when I get back :banghead2

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Consider myself a realist:

Predicted 8-4 before the season, but still get as irate as anyone when an ugly loss like Saturday's occurs.

 

[BurningRiver]

hopeless optimist

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Be a realist, but use that analysis to feel optimistic when it's justified.

For instance, in Riddickulous' three scenarios, ND cruises in #1, and I still think we win in #2; the difference in quality between our offense and their defense is much greater than their offense and our defense.

Thus, we're likely to win on Saturday if ND cuts out the TOs/ stupid penalties and keeps contain on Denard. If you have any faith in this coaching staff, you have to believe that ND's status as a 4 pt favorite is justified, and that we'll prove it on Saturday.

If we lose, however, it's time for pessimism and lots of drinking.

 

[ACamp1900]

Consider myself a realist:

Predicted 8-4 before the season, but still get as irate as anyone when an ugly loss like Saturday's occurs.

this word for word....

 

[Riddickulous]

I don't know which one I am...

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I don't know which one I am...

You were quoted as an example of realism, so there's that.

As the board jinx, I prefer it when you're a pessimist.

 

[Riddickulous]

You were quoted as an example of realism, so there's that.

As the board jinx, I prefer it when you're a pessimist.

I was just being silly.

The jinx powers are waning. I kept predicting a South Florida win during the game Saturday and it happened.

 

[fitz_bu47]

I believe the optimism this season was realistic and will not look at the rest of the season in a pessimistic manner.

 

[Veer option]

Consider myself a realist:

Predicted 8-4 before the season, but still get as irate as anyone when an ugly loss like Saturday's occurs.

Praise be

 

[NDinL.A.]

I fall somewhere between the realist and the optimist on the spectrum. I said 9-3 to start the season, but thought 11-1 was VERY possible.

Last Saturday saddened the hell out of me, and Sunday I woke up pissed. And now this weekend scares the hell out of me...crazy crowd, night game, things seemingly always going wrong for ND lately in this game (and many others), a high possibility that our team's 'swag' is gone, Denard Robinson, Denard Robinson (I should write his name like 4 times actually).

The realist in me doesn't understand why we are favored. The optimist in me will start to creep in around Thursday, as I remember what a helluva coach we have and what a helluva team we have when we play like we can.

My head is spinning...

 

[TDHeysus]

i'm defintely 100% a realist. So much so, some ppl may see it as pessimism

 

[irish1958]

Ten to one that we go 11-1

 

[Old Man Mike]

confused words leading into a muddled morass.

"Optimism" and "pessimism" are emotional mental states arrayed along an axis which increases its intensity as you go to either end. There are both mild and extreme forms of each emotionality.

These mental/emotional states are constructed partly out of real knowledge and partly out of desire for something to be true regardless whether facts support the desire or not. There are "optimists" therefore who are more realistic than others, and the same for pessimists. Mild optimists and mild pessimists usually can talk to one another easier than they can to their extremist "soul-brothers".

A true "Realist" would only acknowledge common proven reality. Because the future can never be known, a true realist would never "feel" anything about it at all, and never "predict" about complex poorly understood things. Few realists actually exist. They are largely bullsh!tters who are trying to one-up "optimists" and "pessimists". They have their own irrationalities and emotional positions. [usually cast in superioristic language].

Myself: I am basically a happy person. Therefore I "hope" for good things and that hope builds optimistic scenarios. However, as an old teacher of science, I've been trained to accumulate all the relevant facts that I can [thus reading IE all the time] and not ignoring them as I build my fantasies. These fantasies are still regularly wrong, but they are much fun while they last. I can't imagine what it must be like to live in a negative fantasy all the time.

Bottomline: we will win at Ann Arbor in a tough physical battle. ... and Tommy will be good but not quite great. Coach will not blow an artery.

 

[ulukinatme]

Ten to one that we go 11-1

Optimist, eh?

I gotta go with realist myself. We're always looking for a return to glory, and for many years I played the optimist. I have come to grips with the fact that this team has fallen from glory, and it may be that the glory days will not return. That may sound pessimistic, but in this day and age of college football it's hard to become a powerhouse. Those that have become powerhouses are being knocked down because they cheated to get there, or they bent some rules to entice players, or they just overlooked stupidity in the form of benefits. I think we can still have some good seasons here and there, maybe get lucky someday and win another national championship, but it's going to take continued recruiting efforts, a focused team, and a lot of luck. I expect we'll be more focused Saturday night, but I always figured a big bowl win would be another year away.

 

[ThePiombino]

Consider myself a realist:

Predicted 8-4 before the season, but still get as irate as anyone when an ugly loss like Saturday's occurs.

You mean 9-4

^Opportunist

 

[tankjeep]

Be a realist, but use that analysis to feel optimistic when it's justified.

For instance, in Riddickulous' three scenarios, ND cruises in #1, and I still think we win in #2; the difference in quality between our offense and their defense is much greater than their offense and our defense.

Thus, we're likely to win on Saturday if ND cuts out the TOs/ stupid penalties and keeps contain on Denard. If you have any faith in this coaching staff, you have to believe that ND's status as a 4 pt favorite is justified, and that we'll prove it on Saturday.

If we lose, however, it's time for pessimism and lots of drinking.

^this.

 

[tankjeep]

I fall somewhere between the realist and the optimist on the spectrum. I said 9-3 to start the season, but thought 11-1 was VERY possible.

Last Saturday saddened the hell out of me, and Sunday I woke up pissed. And now this weekend scares the hell out of me...crazy crowd, night game, things seemingly always going wrong for ND lately in this game (and many others), a high possibility that our team's 'swag' is gone, Denard Robinson, Denard Robinson (I should write his name like 4 times actually).

The realist in me doesn't understand why we are favored. The optimist in me will start to creep in around Thursday, as I remember what a helluva coach we have and what a helluva team we have when we play like we can.

My head is spinning...

i'll definitely have to pop some xbombs come game time.

 

[GoldenDomer2357]

Eternal optimist. Although I'm only 22 years old and have been subjected to this pain for only that long as an Irish fan. As I get older and my hair becomes grayer solely because of ND football, I may begin to lean toward being a realist for the sake of my sanity. However, I am never a pessimist.

 

[Irish Insanity]

We beat U of M and MSU.........realist.

 

[Jerry]

The optimism some of you guys show surprises me. I guess I was just surprised at the QB/Offensive issues not worrying more people. It's tough to go 11-1 when you don't know who the QB will be a week before the season.

My realism has stayed the same since last week. If ND can get solid QB play and move the ball (and not turn it over!) on offense the defense should be able to shut down just about anybody.

 

[Grahambo]

I'm an optimist at heart but not just ND with everything in life. I look at the good side of things and adjust when bad happens. I still believe in a handshake and trusting a man at his word. I will always give someone a chance with their words. Up to them if they want to knock their character or not with me.

With that said, I have been able to change the perception with my best friend who is a stout Bama fan on ND fans. I try to be as realistic as possible with a hint of optimism. I called for about 9 wins this season with the optimism in me saying they can hit 10 wins and a top 10 finish with a January bowl game.

 

[caligold]

Unless last weekend wasn't an abberation and all of a sudden BK has become an inept coach, I believe the Irish will overcome the hostile Michigan environment at night and win this one.

Adaptive expectations relative to what we have witnessed vs. Michgian the last 2 seasons and last weekend would have us believe we wet the bed on Saturday night. However, and call me and optimist, I really believe our offense in the hands of Rees will be more than adequate vs. Michigan's D. On the other side of the ball, Michigan now runs and offense that plays into our D's strength. I believe that if Michigan gets too far from what they are truly trying to become on offense it plays into our hands.