Non-Stupid Optimism

While reading for my qualitative research class, I discovered the phrase "non-stupid optimism" originally coined by Kushner (yes, you nerds who want to know, I can provide a better reference). The context of this concept would be a discussion of discourse analysis, that is, analysing the language we use for hidden meanings or its implementation of re-enforcing power relations. It gets a bit more complex than that, but let's be honest... you probably don't care. :) The phrase non-stupid optimism got me to do a little discourse analysis myself, however. If you have to indicate non-stupid, one would assume normal optimism is stupid. Is that true?

I must confess I am not the most optimistic person in the world, but I don't think of those who are as being naive, silly, or dumb. It is admirable to look about the world and see all the horrors that can exist and still see the positive side of life. Not only that, but these people can have utter and complete faith that the positive side will win out. Is that dumb? Is that stupid? I hope not.

So to all you die-hard optimists out there, good job! The best part is, though, that they don't need me or anyone else to cheer them on. They'd have faith and hope anyway. Sweet kids, those optimists.