# Maybe the Glass is Too Big By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2024-03-24 There is a classic “test” to see if a person is a pessimist or an optimist. A person is confronted with a half-glass of water and asked to comment on it. If the person says the glass is half-full, the person is considered an optimist. If the person says the glass is half-empty, the person is regarded as a pessimist. In one encounter of this test, a person responded, “The glass is too big. In a smaller glass, this would be a full glass.” This perspective adds important insight. In examining the situation, it is important to note the amount of water and the glass size. This has implications for society. In terms of material possessions, things have never been so good. People have a great deal of things. Many of these things are designed to make life easier. Much of the tasks of existence now take a fraction of the time they once did. In the metaphor, this is the water. However, in society, people increasingly feel like they are falling behind and that their well-being and success are not keeping pace with those at the top. In the metaphor, this is the glass. We live in a time when we have never had more water, but our glass has never appeared emptier. Our society seems to be focused on pouring evermore water into an infinitely enlarging glass and hoping that, eventually, we will be happy. Enough evidence exists to question the reasonableness of this expectation. Additionally, as we double and triple down on this suspect course, we ignore the rampant dehydration existing in our midst. As a society, we have collectively decided to deprive most people of the basics (dehydration) so that many can experience the “joys of consumption” (water), and a few can live in opulence (glass). Some societies have created a narrative and belief structure where each group can find meaning and contentment. We have not. The majority seems fearful of losing ground, discontent with where they are, and with no hope of meaning. We have focused on ending poverty, improving the standard of living, and incentivizing individual advancement. Successes have been made. More remains to be done. It is important to drink when one is thirsty. Perhaps essential. When one investigates a refrigerator full of different types of beverages, it might be useful to ask how many have been consumed with joy and what contributed to the enjoyment. Through the process, one might discover that joy isn’t achieved by being able to drink whatever one wants, whenever one wants, but by sharing the beverage in a moment. Solidarity is important because it is a source of meaning and joy. Let’s raise our glasses to that! #### Related Items [[Society]] [[Perspective]] [[Capitalism]] [[Joy]] [[Meaning]] [[Poverty]] [[Optimism]] [[Pessimism]]