Which is the worst misjudgement?

[Edwardo Piet]

In the short run, denial of problems is definitely more fun than seeing problems that aren't even there.

I'd say in the long run, sometimes excessive pessimism is worse, sometimes excessive optimism is worse: because the important thing is that we stay in reality.

In the short run, excessive optimism is definitely preferable. But that's part of the problem -- it can make procrastination more attractive and impulsiveness and addiction harder to resist and avoid.

[Losty]

They both suck, but I chose the first one because one is about ignoring your real life problems and one is a mental health issue. Not to dismiss mental health issues but they can usually be controlled with therapy and/or medication.

[Edwardo Piet]

I agree. I guess it's possible they could both be mental health issues but the first one can also apply to other problems.

I mean, pretending things are okay when they're not, whilst not be a problem of anxiety or depression, I guess could still be a mental health issue? Sometimes we are meant to feel anxiety or if not depression, at least downheartedness or melancholy, I think.

I think someone who fails to address their problems because they're happy all the time might have some sort of mental health issue lol

[Losty]

Could be. They're probably both equally not so great.

[Edwardo Piet]

Yeah... but I think the second one can only apply to mental health, as far as I can think.

So I'd agree in one sense that makes the first one worse.

I think the second one is less bad in the short run, like, during an emergency it's probably more important to take care of your current mood and stay calm, or if you're wanting to have a good time or a good day and take a break from problem solving for a bit...

But on the other hand the attractiveness to enjoying the moment and ignoring your real life problems makes it easier to succumb to procrastination and harder to deal with shit later. I think the fact optimism is effective in the short run even when it's excessive and out of touch to reality -- escapism in other words -- is both its greatest strength and weakness. It's part of the problem too.

[energizer bunny]

Which is the worst misjudgement?

Interesting question. I would say thinking the worse when everything is ok. With people it can end marriages, break friendships, destroy relationships. In relationships it is better to find out the truth later than assume the worst and accuse someone of something they didn't do. Assuming the worst in people can lead to jealousy and violence.

[ignoramus]

When the mayor of Hiroshima was famously quoted as saying:

Everyone carry one, it's probably just a car backfiring.

[IATIA]

The "worst misjudgement" is not listed in the poll.  Any extreme value/outlook spells disaster.  Each one is worse than the other.

[ignoramus]

Actually, I think everyone will agree unanimously that the worst misjudgement anyone can make is to dedicate oneself to a life of worship to a nonexistent entity on the hope that there is more after we die!

Even as a mad gambler, I know a dead horse when I see one!