I mean this with love but it’s a message we all need to hear: Being a defeatist is COUNTER REVOLUTIONARY. Revolutionary Optimism isn’t just about a vibe, it’s about having a tactical mindset. There’s something everyone can do and if you’re doing your best don’t let anyone get in your head.
Gramsci, echoing Romain Rolland, crucially warns us about the dual perils of despair as well as what we now might term toxic positivity. He reminds us to properly see and reckon with what is going on and to prepare for effective responses. “My mind is pessimistic, but my will is optimistic.”
