I'm partial to the Simpsons classic, when Homer looks at Bart and Lisa and says:
"Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try." π
I wonder if there is a term for that sort of inverted encouragement.
Can't Win, Don't Try.
And then a certain sort of person says "Like hell I won't!"
π€ It's like an *existential* form of reverse psychology, isn't it? You're not trying to trick someone into doing better by flipping the script. You're just laying out hard truths of the cosmos, with full integrity... all while knowing that someone's going to shoot for the moon out of spite just the same!
Yes, I thought of reverse psychology as a possible term, but it seems very broad, and also carries implications of deceptive manipulation.
I think this sort of focused challenge deserves its own name. :)
Reminds me of the optimist gambler - "Buddy it's a million to one shot", *So you're saying I've got a chance!"
I think "existential optimism" might fit the bill. You're being upbeat about it - friendly, even! But all while staying within bounds of the cold, unrelenting logic of our cosmos. :)
One of my favorites, for the darkest times, is "All is lost, but honor.". Soldier on!
This is why I memorized Rudyard Kipling's "If", so I'll always be able to prompt myself to remember that it's how we choose to respond to our circumstances - however dire they might be - that matters most.
Onward and upward, Ceorl! Even if the light at the end of the tunnel might be a train. :)
Ah what a good one to memorize. Thank you for reminding me of it. I just now read a hand written copy of it.
@MLClark
Funny how as a generally upbeat and encouraging person, I also enjoy good demotivation :)
"Don't worry about what people will think of you if you fail. They never expected you to last even this long. Give up!"