Misplaced/Harmful Idealism?

[Hermes]

As many of you have probably noticed, I'm kind of... incredibly idealistic. I don't really view this as a great thing, and neither do a lot of people. Especially when we're talking about politics, etc, I tend to let go of realism in favor of values and ideas which don't seem to hold any water. While I don't think that every idea I've ever had is bogus, there are probably a lot that I need to reexamine.

Do any of you have suggestions for anyone on getting rid of, or lessening their idealism? Would it be better to read more? Or to spend more time observing discussions/arguments here on Revleft, or real life?

Thanks in advance.

[Kitty_Paine]

As many of you have probably noticed, I'm kind of... incredibly idealistic. I don't really view this as a great thing, and neither do a lot of people. Especially when we're talking about politics, etc, I tend to let go of realism in favor of values and ideas which don't seem to hold any water. While I don't think that every idea I've ever had is bogus, there are probably a lot that I need to reexamine.

Do any of you have suggestions for anyone on getting rid of, or lessening their idealism? Would it be better to read more? Or to spend more time observing discussions/arguments here on Revleft, or real life?

Thanks in advance.

What makes you think discussions here are at all based on reality; or sanity even...? :rolleyes:

Yeah, don't do that.

[Hermes]

Well I'd like to think that at least some of them are, sometime.

[a rebel]

idealism is a beautiful thing why would you want to be a depressing pessimist?

[hatzel]

Well I'd like to think that at least some of them are, sometime.


While I don't think that every idea I've ever had is bogus, there are probably a lot that I need to reexamine.

I'm quoting these together for comic effect...

But seriously I wouldn't worry about being a dreamer. Better than being a "well this is how it is and we're stuck like this and nothing will ever be any different"-type!

[Prometeo liberado]

Do me a favor. Act out on all those idealistic notions you got goin on in that head of yours. I give it a good year and after all the court hearings and embarrassment, legal fees and bad Flock of Seagulls haircuts, total banishment by your peers and family, you will begin to come to an understanding that maybe idealism just ain't what it's cracked up to be. Just sayin.

[Rooster]

lol spend years on the street agitating, participating in trade unions and working in political parties. That'll wear you out.

[Prometeo liberado]

Oops! Forgot the Che t-shirts. Can't be an idealist without one. Kinda like Amex, don't leave home without it!

[Erratus]

I think idealism can be a great thing when properly mixed with realism. Be realistic about how things are as they currently are, but be optimistic about how things could be, if you work towards them. Not hopelessly idealistic, make sure every step/part can be achieved, but don't squash ideas just because they are idealistic.

[Rafiq]

Idealism is the tongue of the class enemy. It is to be opposed at all costs.

[Ostrinski]

Just remember this OP: You, and everyone you know, will soon be dead.

[Questionable]

Idealism has taken on a different meaning.

Nowadays, it's usually a synonym for zeal, passion, and dedication to a cause that is typically deemed as a bit unrealistic. ("College students are always idealistic, but once they get a job they'll snap out of it.")

Originally, it referred to the belief system that ideals came before reality, and are in fact what influences it. It is the opposite of materialism, the belief that everything stems from matter, which is one of the core principles of Marxism. ("If North Korea would just follow true Marxism instead of that Juche crap, they'd be fine!")

Ideals can most certainly be useful, but never let them take a seat above reality. Many tragedies have occurred from people blindly clinging to their principals for no other reason than the sake of it. Always analyze the material conditions, and draw your conclusions from there.

[Workers-Control-Over-Prod]

Just remember this OP: You, and everyone you know, will soon be dead.

Yes, good point, exactly how i think.

[TrotskistMarx]

Being utopian, a dreamer, and too idealist is revolutionary and it's the last stage of the metamorphosis into the superman. In the book Thus Spoke Zaratathustra Nietzsche claimed that the evolution toward the child-stage, to think like children is the stage of the stronger man. I think maybe because children are not so psychorigid, so square, so legalists, so rational and so scared like adults are. Indeed children dream about being batman and robin, superheroes that they see in the movies. Not adults, as people get older they tend to become real real boring and real real rational. So don't worry being too idealistic, is great and very revolutionary


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As many of you have probably noticed, I'm kind of... incredibly idealistic. I don't really view this as a great thing, and neither do a lot of people. Especially when we're talking about politics, etc, I tend to let go of realism in favor of values and ideas which don't seem to hold any water. While I don't think that every idea I've ever had is bogus, there are probably a lot that I need to reexamine.

Do any of you have suggestions for anyone on getting rid of, or lessening their idealism? Would it be better to read more? Or to spend more time observing discussions/arguments here on Revleft, or real life?

Thanks in advance.

[TrotskistMarx]

Well only weak people *live for others*, but in this world you really can do what ever you want. The free spirit should set his own set of values and moral codes. So I think that behaving according to the aproval of others is really an impediment for greatness and for a socialist revolution.

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Do me a favor. Act out on all those idealistic notions you got goin on in that head of yours. I give it a good year and after all the court hearings and embarrassment, legal fees and bad Flock of Seagulls haircuts, total banishment by your peers and family, you will begin to come to an understanding that maybe idealism just ain't what it's cracked up to be. Just sayin.