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1 min readJun 29, 2019

I really appreciate that you take the time to read, reply & have your own thoughts about my writing Karen. Ta :)

I’ve been reflecting a lot on where my pessimism comes from, and the immediate temptation is to just throw a bunch of facts back (carbon emissions, right-wing demagogues, wealth inequality, etc.) — honestly thought I think my pessimism is more ‘hysterical,’ in the sense that it comes inductively from experience. As a result I’m trying less to persuade people in to pessimism and instead offer it the way a waiter might offer a glass of wine: “Here, try this.”

The one thing I’ll say is pessimism, if tried on, is perhaps less hope-crushing and enervating than people think. I’ve actually found pessimism immensely helpful as an individual — and in the end I reach the same conclusion you have — there are plenty of interesting things we can do outside the traditional ‘leftist’ space, and we may as well focus on doing good as living well whilst we’re around.

Aden Date
Aden Date

Written by Aden Date

I work at the intersection of arts, media & social impact. Now blogging at Substack || adendate.substack.com

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