Introduction: Optimism at the End of the World (original) (raw)

The collection explores the concept of optimism in the context of societal and environmental crises, challenging the dominant pessimistic narratives surrounding current global issues. Drawing on ethnographic studies from varied contexts, the authors investigate how individuals maintain a sense of hope and positive outlook despite experiencing significant loss or 'world-endings'. The work critically engages with existing literature on optimism, specifically addressing how it can manifest as a refusal to accept finality, and aims to understand the social practices and emotional landscapes that cultivate this form of optimism.