Is a Glass Ever Half Empty?
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Staten Island, NY Posted: 6/22/2015 1:00:00 AM
Do you remember the first time you heard that question??
Odds are, the person asking it was hoping your answer would reveal whether you were an optimist or a pessimist. I'm not a psychologist, but I can assure you that your answer has nothing to do with your level of optimism.
By now, the question is a bit cliche, so it's hard to get a truly honest answer. But if you ask a child, you may be surprised to see how the answers can vary, based on the context and how you phrase the question.
Let's say you started with an 8 ounce glass of water. Of you poured it into an 8 ounce glass. Everyone would agree it's full.
If somebody saw you take the same 8 ounces of water and pour it into a 16 ounce glass. Most would say it's now half full. However, if you started with a 16 ounce glass of water, then poured out 8 ounces]. It's still 8 ounces left in the glass, but since you saw the water being emptied, saying it's now half empty is clearly the best description.
It's all about context. If you were in the process of filling the glass and stopped half way, you are half full. But if you were in the process of pouring it out, you are now half empty. In both cases, your response is optimistic, because you were now halfway towards your goal of either filling it or emptying it.
For the same reason, I try not to see many things as either good, or bad. You need to know the context.
Let's say you plan a reunion with people you haven't seen in a long time. As your first friend arrives, you notice that he's about 100 pounds heavier than you remembered. You decide it's best that you don't mention his weight, but wonder why he's gained so much weight.
A few minutes later, a second friend arrives, but this friend can't help but mention his weight. "Bob... You've lost a lot of weight... you look amazing!". He's still heavier than the last time you saw him, but obviously based on the second person's reaction, he's lost a lot of weight, and is likely halfway towards his goal of losing even more.
It's all about context.
So, before you decide whether something is half full, or half empty, you may need to figure out what direction it's headed.
Joe Crescenzi, Founder
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