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Optimist ClubFORWARD
It can be said of most debates that comparatively few of those who contribute or watch have a really sound knowledge of the Laws that govern them: indeed many members and spectators who are critical of the decisions and points of view might themselves fail dismally to pass an examination in the Laws governing the conduct of an individual during an argument of perspective.
The handbook has been produced for the O.C. in the hope that it will encour-age optimists and pessimists of all ages to make a closer study of the Laws. It is expected that it will thereby lead to a general improvement in the standard of arguments of perspective, particularly at schools. A detailed index is in-cluded from which it should be possible to trace the answers to most problems which arise during life.
The O.C. has always been prepared to answer questions on the Laws on certain conditions which will be readily understood, i.e. (a) In the case of club arguments the enquiry most come from the committee responsible for organizing the club perspective arguments. (b)The Incident on which a ruling is required must not be merely invented for disputation but must have actually occurred. (c) The inquiry must not be connected in any way with a bet or wager.
It should be noted that, from time to time, the O. C. try out experimental amendments to the Laws, to see if they are suitable for incorporation into the official Laws at a later date.
Optimist and Pessimist are strongly recommended to supply themselves with a copy of the official Laws which can be obtained directly from the O.C., price and post free for a single copy.
Secretary, the Optimist Club
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HISTORY
The Optimist Club is essentially the culmination of twenty years of knowledge and experience, though its true origin is obscured by the mists of time.
The O.C. has always been accepted as the constitutional authority for revising and giving decision on the Laws of the Optimist Club, and the code has gradu-ally developed to meet the changing requirements of the club. Major revisions were carried out in 2011 and 2012.
Each year the O.C. receive from all over the world a stream of enquiries on points connected with the conduct of the arguments and club bylaws. By far the greater number of these can be answered by a simple reference to a FUNDAMENTAL LAWS OF ARGUMENTS, or to OTHER O.C. LAWS AND OFFICAL NOTES, but occasionally one may lead to the introduction of a new ruling and sometimes even to change in the fundamental Laws.
THE O.C. FUNDAMENTAL LAWS OF ARGUMENTSSIDES
LAW 1. An argument is between two sides of optimists and pessi-mists, unless otherwise agreed. Each side shall argue under a captain who, shall be nominated before the proposition of the argument by the consent of the members with the same point of view.
THE PLACE
LAW 2. The place is deemed to be the area of space between the two opposing sides, the distance between is relevant only to the intensity of the argument. The place shall not be changed during an argument unless it becomes unfit for argument, and then only with the consent of both captains.
SCORING
LAW 3. The score shall be reckoned by points. A point is made: So often as both the perspective sides agree to the point of view being made. Penalties shall be enforced for the re-statement of a previous point of view. The penalty is the allowance of a re-statement of a previous point of view from the oppos-ing side nullifying the point.
BOUNDARIES
LAW 4. Before the start of the argument both sides shall agree on the bound-aries of the argument and the allowances to be made for them. The boundar-ies of the argument shall never include name calling or swearing on the Bible.
THE RESULT
LAW 5. An argument is won by the side which shall have scored a total of points in excess of that scored by the opposing side in the duration of the argu-ment. An argument winner may also be determined by being given as lost by one or more of the members of either point of view.
see Appendix G
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O.C. OFFICAL NOTES AND CLUB CODES
A SIMPLE TEST
CLUB CODE 1. At the Meeting A simple test for an optimist club mem-bership. At the meeting a glass of water is placed in the center of the club assembly. “Is the glass half full or is the glass half empty?” asks the optimist club president. The debate begins.
Additional Comments on Club Code 1.
“No additional comments are necessary for Other Law 1.” states the pessimist
see Appendix a
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WHAT IS A PESSIMIST?
OFFICIAL NOTE 1. The Pessimist The rival of the optimist exists in the fine print. A complex creature with as many attributes as flaws. The pessimist is a man of science. Forever vigilant and continuously conscious the pessimist fills many roles in our society.
Additional Comments on Official Note 1.
“Someday we’re all going to die, some sooner than others” notes the pessimist
see Appendix f
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OTHER LESSONS
OFFICIAL NOTE 2. Lessons in Optimism The optimist is a man of faith. The young pessimist tests the optimists self-belief. These optimistic lessons will be learned but maybe not from this teacher.
Additional Comments on Official Note 2.
“It reminds me of a time in life when life was limitless...” notes the pessimist
see Appendix C
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THE ORDER OF THINGS
CLUB CODE 2. Pecking Order Each generation is eager to prove the previ-ous generation wrong. The pessimist believes a generational odd and even approach is appropriate for repeating historical blunders. This Other Law is similar to the law of averages, a belief that outcomes of random events will “even out” within a small sample.
Additional Comments on Club Code 2.
The pessimist says “Please quote me I am not involved in misanthropy.”
see Appendix c
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BEING PARTISAN
CLUB CODE 3. Partisan The partisan pessimist separates an idea into equal parts so as to find out their true nature, proportion, function, or interrelation-ship. The partisan has the most biased opinions of all the O.C members.
Additional Comments on Club Code 3.
“The motto of the pessimist- We hold these truths to be self-evident, all things created equal can be separated into equally divided parts.” pledges the pessimist
see Appendix d
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HOW FAR FROM THE TREE?
CLUB CODE 4. Like Father Like Son Pessimists breed pessimists. The father pessimist carefully observes the son pessimist keeping both eyes fixed on his flawed actions. Ever present hovering about evaluating every move.
Additional Comments on Club Code 4.
“Should parenting be this difficult?” ponders the pessimist
see Appendix g
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POINTS OF ENVY
OFFICIAL NOTE 3. Envy Most optimist club members have bag envy. The optimist knows that this is a lovely shade of green. Envy can be difficult for any optimist to accept but honest feelings of envy and admiration most often seem positive.
Additional Comments on Official Note 3.
“Actions speak louder than words” states the optimist
see Appendix D
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POINTS OF WISDOM
CLUB CODE 5. Bad Habits Please note this is not a Law against bad habits. This is a simple matter of fact versus opinion. Everyone has bad habits. Some habits are worse than others.
Additional Comments on Club Code 5.
“God grant the pessimist serenity to accept the things he cannot change; courage to change the things he can; and wisdom to know the difference” prays the optimist.
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WATCHERS
OFFICIAL NOTE 4. A Watchful Eye A burden of the pessimist. The pes-simist carefully observes the two optimists keeping a sharp eye on both subjects. The pessimist evaluates the optimist father and son’s interactions to a factual conclusion.
Additional Comments on Official Note 4.
The pessimist wonders “Could the optimist be right?”
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GIFT GIVING
CLUB CODE 6. Gift The optimist knows you will enjoy this gift. He also knows that it is the perfect gift for you. The optimist’s gift is a positive out-look with a healthy dose of innocence and hope. Just as a reminder, gifts may be given to persuade others to your point of view.
Additional Comments on Club Code 6.
“Is that the gift that keeps on giving?” questions the pessimist
see Appendix B
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OTHER IDEAS
OFFICIAL NOTE 5. Different Ideas In the optimist and pessimist new friendship, the optimist is overly optimistic. The pessimist is unsure about these forward feelings and needs time to examine the different aspects of their relationship. The pessimist has difficulty learning to trust others.
Additional Comments on Official Note 5.
“You should always go to other people’s funerals; otherwise, they won’t come to yours.” Quotes the pessimist.
see Appendix I
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DETERMINE THE CAUSE
OFFICIAL NOTE 6. Death in the Family Society members play witness to a death. “Old age or water damage?” asks one pessimist. The rumors are still swirling. Further investigation will be needed to fully determine the cause of death.
Additional Comments on Official Note 6.
“The old pessimist died peacefully and is now in a better place.” states the optimist father.
see Appendix H
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EXAMINE THE CONCLUSION
OFFICIAL NOTE 7. Tangled The optimist is tangled by the pessimist’s knowledge (the extension cord of knowledge to be more exact). The pessimist adapts through tireless study and supreme knowledge; however, the pessimist might need to examine this conclusion further.
Additional Comments on Official Note 7.
“When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That is my religion.” says the optimist
see Appendix E
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appendices
optimist test example no.1
pessimist
optimist
1/2 full 1/2 empty
appendix a.
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appendix b.
artificial
disproportion (fear)nonf
unctio
n
intellectual soul
vital body
emotionless soul fl
eetingness
nature
proportion function
spiritual soul no
n-vital body
emotional soul
longevity
anatomical psyche
appendix c.
optimists
pessimists
truths
knowledge
beliefs
knowledge of beliefs
truthful knowledge
knowledge
truth belief
optimists pessimists
people with strong opinions on the distinction between optimists and pessimists
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appendix d.
wisdom envy
expectation
25%
an optomist’s path
appendix e.
- =
+ + =
optimist pyramid of personal health
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appendix f.
perception
action
a
b
c
diagram of the true pessimist
appendix g.
the optimist tree of lifeedition no.5
optimists pessimists
billions of years
nothing exists (darkness)
big bang (start of lightness)*lightness in one area
galaxies begin to form
formation of the solar system
earth forms (crust hardens)
origin of life (still shrouded in mystery)
timeline
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appendix h.
vitalnon-vital
optimists club head of importance*note, diagram is historically acurate
appendix i.
wishbone model of optimism
optimist pessimist
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A Deep Conversation
STATEMENT
The series of narrative paintings entitled the Optimist Club explores the com-plex relationship between the seemingly opposite view points of the Optimist and Pessimist. This series of paintings and handbook were created to explore these different points of view in a serious but tongue-in-cheek manner. The observation based paintings have a simple compositional structure to allow the viewer to focus on the interaction of the two sides and the various symbolic elements introduced into each still-life. For the main characters a bronze of Abe Lincoln’s head plays the role of the optimist contrasted sharply by a paper bag head with a mysterious identity as the pessimist. Although both characters in the series oppose one another in superficial ideals humor and insight allow for a closer examination of the truths each stands for.
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In the Classroom
see Appendix b
Artist Bio
David Hannon was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He is an Associate Professor of Painting at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He received a MFA in Painting from Indiana University in 2000 and a BFA in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design in 1998. His paintings have been exhibited in solo exhibitions at the Tatistcheff Gallery in New York City, the Joan Derry-berry Gallery at Tennessee Tech University, and the Leeds Gallery at Earlham College. David Hannon has also exhibited his work in many national and regional juried art exhibitions including the ART AT THE X 2011 at Xavier University Art Gallery in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mythography at the Manifest Cre-ative Research Gallery and Drawing Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Midyear Exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, Visual Narrative at The Illinois Institute of Art’s Gallery 180 in Chicago, and the Chautauqua Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art at the Strohl Art Center in Chautauqua, New York.
David Hannon
For more information on the artist or to view the optimist club series paintings please visit davidhannon.net. If you would like an official O.C. membership card please send a SASE to:
Attention: O.C. Secretary 3705 N Janney Ave. Muncie, IN 47304
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SIGNS YOU ARE AN OPTIMIST(please fill in using a number 2 pencil)
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