'Realism demands pessimism but hope demands that we take a dim view of the present because we hold a bright view of the future.'

Corita Kent made this serigraph - titled a passion for the possible - in 1969. The transcribed text reads:

Corita Kent made this serigraph - titled a passion for the possible - in 1969. The transcribed text reads:

"Playboy: Are you hopeful that we will choose our future? William Sloane Coffin: It's possible, if not probable. If I can be theological for a moment, I think there's a great difference between being optimistic and being hopeful. I am not optimistic but I am hopeful. By this I mean that hope, as opposed to cynicism and despair, is the sole precondition for new and better experiences. Realism demands pessimism but hope demands that we take a dim view of the present because we hold a bright view of the future; and HOPE AROUSES AS NOTHING ELSE CAN AROUSE A PASSION FOR THE POSSIBLE"

WEB GALLERY: a passion for the possible

'Realism demands pessimism but hope demands that we take a dim view of the present because we hold a bright view of the future.'

The legitimacy gap in democracy is no accident. It’s a feature of the design.

Societies struggle to confront major challenges when so much wealth, decision-making power, and political influence are concentrated in a small group of technology companies.

Why I still hold onto some of my flower-child hope

We don’t have to wait for the whole system to change to begin living differently.