Bruce Mau believes optimism without information and analysis is folly, while information and analysis without possibility leads to paralysis.
The challenge is to remain informed and thoughtful in the pursuit of the brightest opportunities. The global challenges we face today are real and existential.
Fact-based optimism makes no pretense otherwise. On the contrary, if we are to avoid disaster we must immediately tackle some of the most vexing problems in human history.
To do that, we must start with solid information and then visualize possible solutions, so everyone can join the conversation. Fact-based optimism is a collaborative endeavor.
Our shared task is to remain clear-eyed about the facts while also maintaining a sense of possibility. Fact-based optimism may appear unreasonable - but it does not expect to arrive at perfection.
It is the only viable way to engage the future we face.