A lot of people (see teenagers) seem to confuse pessimism for realism and optimism for delusion. Which infuriates me. Especially when their "realism" or their "delusion" changes their behavior.

Now, I'm not saying that optimism can't be delusional and pessimism can't be realist. But when you start to have your behavior affected by the two, then you're treading onto the verge of delusion. Let me give some examples.

Optimism as realism:-

Complete understanding of a topic, makes you optimistic about the test. Doesn't mean you won't study, just means that you feel that you'll do well on this test.

Pessimism as realism:-

Realizing that you aren't going to do well on this test, as you don't know half of the topics for the test. Doesn't mean you won't study, just that you realize you'll do badly.

Optimism as delusion:-

You think you know all your work, enough so that you won't study for the test.

Pessimism as delusion:-

Thinking that you're going to fail the test, so you see no point in even trying to study for the test.

As long as you're ideas are founded on evidence, you're being realistic. If being pessimistic or optimistic changes your behavior, you're being delusional.

Fairly short post, but I had a test today and one next week Friday.

This is really just a PSA, rather than anything. I'll try to do two of these short ones tomorrow.