“But if the general opinion of Mankind is optimistic then we're in for a period of extreme popularity for science fiction. If the general opinion is pessimistic, fantasy is going to hold its own.”

— David Eddings

Last update June 3, 2021. History

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David Eddings 43

American novelist 1931–2009

J. G. Ballard (1930–2009) British writer

Conversation with George MacBeth on Third Programme (BBC) (1 February 1967), published in The New S.F. (1969), edited by Langdon Jones
Context: I think the new science fiction, which other people apart from myself are now beginning to write, is introverted, possibly pessimistic rather than optimistic, much less certain of its own territory. There's a tremendous confidence that radiates through all modern American science fiction of the period 1930 to 1960; the certainty that science and technology can solve all problems. This is not the dominant form of science fiction now. I think science fiction is becoming something much more speculative, much less convinced about the magic of science and the moral authority of science. There's far more caution on the part of the new writers than there was.

“…in general, the traditionalists are backward-looking, conservative; pessimists about the future and optimists about the past.”

Lewis Mumford (1895–1990) American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology, and literary critic

Often quoted as "Traditionalists are pessimists about the future and optimists about the past.", e.g, Peter's Quotations : Ideas for Our Time (1979) by Laurence J. Peter, p. 112.
Faith for Living (1940)

“The truth is, the generality of mankind stand in awe of public opinion, while conscience is feared only by the few.”
Multi famam, conscientiam pauci verentur.

Pliny the Younger (61–113) Roman writer

Letter 20, 9.
Letters, Book III

“I speak what appears to me the general opinion; and where an opinion is general, it is usually correct.”

Jane Austen book Mansfield Park

Mansfield Park (1814)
Works, Mansfield Park

“And it is long since I have learned to hold popular opinion of no value.”

Alexander Hamilton (1757–1804) Founding Father of the United States

Letter to Washington, 11 November 1794

“But in the real world, few of us holds these extreme views. There is instead a spectrum of opinion.”

Michael Crichton (1942–2008) American author, screenwriter, film producer

"Mediasaurus: The decline of conventional media" http://www.crichton-official.com/speeches/speeches_quote02.html - Speech at the National Press Club, Washington D.C. (7 April 1993)
Context: We are all assumed, these days, to reside at one extreme of the opinion spectrum, or another. We are pro-abortion or anti-abortion. We are free traders or protectionist. We are pro-private sector or pro-big government. We are feminists or chauvinists. But in the real world, few of us holds these extreme views. There is instead a spectrum of opinion.