“Enthusiasm is energetic, positive, generous, and social. It’s outward-turning and engaged. It’s kind of goofy.
Enthusiasm is a form of social courage; it’s safer to criticize and scoff than to praise and embrace.
There’s a dark tendency in human nature to mock or attack other people’s enthusiasms. It’s easy to make fun of ping-pong or Barry Manilow or Star Trek or wine-tasting — but why do it?”
Gretchen Rubin
She’s right.
People are more comfortable in the role of sarcastic, biting critic than in the role of open-minded enthusiast. I find the company of the critic tiresome. There is a difference between honest criticism in order to improve something (which is needed and even desired if it comes from a trusted source), and the kind of knee-jerk, cynical negativity that seeks to mock what it doesn’t enjoy. There’s too much of this in the world. Unfortunately, society takes a low view of the enthusiastic person much of the time. I say screw society. There’s nothing wrong or naive or simple about an honest, childlike “WOW!”. I try and consciously cultivate this view of the world, and privately get a kick out of saying it in the presence of people who think it means I’m not sophisticated.
The enthusiastic person draws other enthusiastic people to him or herself. And it’s a much happier place to live.
Related: Cory Doctorow’s excellent post “Too Much Time on His Hands”
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson