Propositions

1. Modest expectations embed more opportunities for pleasant surprises.

expectations occassionally surpassed
Expectations Occasionally Surpassed, 2009, Ink on poster board, 25 x 20 inches 63.5 x 51 cm.*


2. Tying pessimism to the mundane and optimism to transcendence is not a balanced, ambivalent view. It skews the bulk of available experiences to pessimism. 

tabular chart: column 1: pessimism, mundane, material, skepticism; column 2: optimism, transcendent, ineffable, trustpessimism: mundane, ubiquitous = at hand; optimism: transcendence, rare = out of reach
Cheap and Cheerful #1 & #2, 2009, neon and glitter pen, 11.625 x 7.75 inches / 29.5 x 45 cm* more info


3. This view is not balanced, but it is a logical one. Negative emotions and experiences are powerful.

For example, of the six basic universal emotions and the social emotions, most are negative.5

scale: on one side, fear, anger, shame, disgust, sadness, shyness, jealousy, embarassment; on the other side, joy. After Paul Martin's Sex Drugs and Chocolate: The Science of Pleasurerelationships that thrive balance every negative interaction with four to five positive ones, barbara coombs, nytimes
Cheap and Cheerful #3 & 4, 2009, neon and glitter pen, 11.625 x 7.75 inches / 29.5 x 45 cm.* more info


Psychologists have even noted that individual negative experiences carry more significance than positive ones.6

*Produced in the Breathe Residency at Chinese Arts Centre.
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notes

5. Paul Martin. Sex, Drugs and Chocolate: The Science of Pleasure. London: Fourth Estate [2008] 152

6. The research of John Gottman, a psychologist at the University of Washington, summarized by Stephanie Coontz. “History May Not Be a Guide,” a submission in “Husbands, Wives and Hard Times.” Room for Debate. New York: New York Times [April 8, 2009]