NEM 220430 - Doomers and Bloomers

Welcome to Never-Ending Musings! A weekly collection of thoughts from SK Kage.

A friend introduced me to a concept recently. To them, it was a matter-of-fact statement about philosophy I mulled over in the depths of my mind, where my 'philosophy organ' chimes out simultaneous chords of confusion and understanding. This concept is one of 'doomers' and 'bloomers.' Perhaps their interpretation is different than the norm and my interpretation is twice further removed, but it kindled over the days.
Both groups believe in a fundamental harshness in the universe; of the incontrovertible 'fact' existence is bleak, temporary, and marches unflinchingly towards its end. Efforts to forestall the twisting knife of death are ineffectual at best and laughable otherwise. Yet the two diverge in their outlook. To borrow the words of my friend, doomers wallow in the state of their existence whereas bloomers find meaning in spite of their existence.
I do not rightly know whether I agree or disagree with the premise, the 'fact' underlying these philosophies, but I find the dueling optimism and pessimism of a bloomer intriguing. It is so far removed from my generally upbeat and optimistic worldview, yet does not subvert my worldview entirely, as is the case with a doomer. A bloomer may disagree with my characterization of their 'optimism,' but consider with me for a few minutes.
First, the pessimism of a bloomer manifests as a belief the actions in their life ultimately have little meaning. Momentary periods of happiness inevitably fall back into suffering and eventual death. A bloomer may specifically point out they curb their optimism with this grim outlook, crushing the lows of their life even deeper into the abyss.
But does this deepening not place the highs into sharper relief? This is the second component: lower lows beget higher highs. The difference between the trough and the peak sets your emotional range. 'Appreciate those moments for they are fleeting.' I expect many would say the contrast between a doomer and a bloomer is how they do or don't appreciate these brief respites from the pangs of existence.
I disagree.
I lived through the lowest lows of my life. Those terrible times did not fully depress my ability to enjoy a moment. What characterized those emotionally gutting periods was the belief they would not return and life was meaningless. The bloomer believes they will come again and there find meaning.
Is this not optimism? Is not the belief happiness, fulfillment, or 'life's meaning' will return an optimistic take on the universe's cruelty?
- SK

Booming Bloomers

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Really undercutting the message here...

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