Human beings thrive on hope. Without some sense that our individual deliberate effort brings us closer to a fulfillment of our personal goals, we simply cannot function from one day to the next.

And yet, hope often betrays us....

Pangloss is admired, and Cassandra is despised and ignored. But as the Trojans were to learn to their sorrow, Cassandra was right....

-- Ernest Partridge "Perilous Optimism"

http://www.mnforsustain.org/partridge_e_j_simon_and_perilous_optimism.htm

#limits #cornucopianism