The Optimistic Pessimist
What is the definition of a Pessimist? A well informed Optimist!
I am not sure which I am, a Pessimist or an Optimist. I generally plan for the worst and hope for the best. Does that make me an Optimistic Pessimist or a Pessimistic Optimist? Like most things, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Whichever you think you are, this week's Loupe will hopefully push you towards a well informed Optimist!
Where you live is safe.?
Citizen
App
As you may suspect, I am an information junkie. I read anything and everything. I generally have an app for providing me with this information. Yet, there was a large gaping hole in my data acquisition. Thank goodness for fellow Louper Amy F. who shared the Citizen app with me. This app provides real-time alerts for crime and other emergency incidents in your area (only New York and San Francisco for now). It is like a technology-enabled police radio scanner! The idea is that it alerts you if something is nearby and then you can determine which way to run, towards it or away from it. All the items have been reported to 911 and Users are encouraged to add additional information (photos, videos, and comments), so as to inform interested parties.
I have been using this for a few weeks, and you can't imagine the number of incidents occurring around my location. Just the other day I received an alert that there was a sighting of a snake on my block as I was sitting comfortably in Florida with friends ... we even joked about it. It turns out there was a rather large snake outside my door, braving the freezing cold temperatures (not sure how), and my dog walker was the one who called the police! Whether you are an optimist or a pessimist, this information is incredibly useful!
Prepare for the Inevitable
Future File
Activity
The death of a loved one is painful enough. Unfortunately I just went through this with my father last year. However, the death is just the tip of the iceberg as there are a ton of things that family members need to take care of when someone passes away. Thank goodness for fellow Louper and old friend Carol R. who created Future File. It is a step by step manual to prepare your loved ones in their time of need when you are no longer here. She suddenly and tragically lost her father, and the need seemed obvious. It is an offline repository for all information loved ones will need to deal with everything. It will go through dealing with medical emergencies, the actual passing, and personal affairs. You will be compelled to write down passwords, bank accounts, and a ton of information that you would never think of, like your Facebook account password! This task takes the typical user 4-6 hours, depending upon how much "stuff" you have. Remember, plan for the worst and hope for the best!
Financial Fraud
Billion Dollar Whale
Book
This is a book about a sinister pessimist or an audacious optimist (you choose); whichever he was, he was undebatably a thief who tricked some of the smartest (Goldman Sachs) and most glamorous (Hollywood) people in the world. It is a tale about a fellow Wharton grad (yeah!) who utilized his relationships with a corrupt pessimist or inept optimist Prime Minister. He is still at large, though sequestered on a yacht in Thailand, while Malaysia, Goldman Sachs, and most others he touched are still sorting out the ramifications (optimist) or damage (pessimist). Thank you fellow Louper Stephen M. who compelled me to read (actually listen!), and other Loupers make cameos in this fantastic read!
No matter whether you are an Optimist, Pessimist, or both consider the Citizen app, Future File, and The Billion Dollar Whale Found!