"Optimism is a political act. Deep-seated interests use despair, confusion, and apathy to avoid change. They encourage ways of thinking that lead us to believe that problems are insoluble, that nothing we do matter, that the issue is too complex to present even the opportunity for change. The optimism that is neither foolish nor silent, can be revolutionary. Where no one believes in a better future, despair is a logical choice, and people in despair hardly ever change anything."