Realism V Idealism

growstuff

“Germanshepherdsmum
Idealists have their place but some of their suggestions are hopelessly impractical. For instance some of the suggestions about how unskilled immigrants can earn a living, doing jobs which are so poorly paid that they will be reliant on benefits and/or have a side hustle in the black economy. I believe you suggested they might be gardeners, for instance, despite lacking horticultural knowledge or tools. And if they’re paid cash in hand do you believe they would declare their earnings?
Ouch! I wonder who that's aimed at! hmm

Maybe a little more research about what's already going on in the world is needed by some GNers.

It's not idealism to get off your backside and help people, which is some people are already dong in quite innovative ways.”

Me, it was aimed at me. Whilst I respect GSMs opinions, albeit they are sometimes very sharp! My suggestions were that asylum seekers be given menial work, to occupy them, whilst they were waiting for their cases to be heard. I don’t recall suggesting that they all be armed with power tools and let loose in Kew Gardens. This work would be monitored, they’re meant to be monitored anyhow, and it wouldn’t matter if they were paid cash in hand because 1) they wouldn’t earn enough to pay tax and 2) they are not eligible for mainstream benefits until their cases are processed AND they’ve been given leave to remain AND right to work.

People were complaining that groups of them were proving to be a nuisance hanging around towns all day.

Idealism is shutting one's eyes and thinking problems will disappear. Realism is accepting the current situation and looking for solutions.

Germanshepherdsmum

Idealists have their place but some of their suggestions are hopelessly impractical. For instance some of the suggestions about how unskilled immigrants can earn a living, doing jobs which are so poorly paid that they will be reliant on benefits and/or have a side hustle in the black economy. I believe you suggested they might be gardeners, for instance, despite lacking horticultural knowledge or tools. And if they’re paid cash in hand do you believe they would declare their earnings?

Ouch! I wonder who that's aimed at!

Maybe a little more research about what's already going on in the world is needed by some GNers.

It's not idealism to get off your backside and help people, which is some people are already dong in quite innovative ways.

The NHS was an ideal. Anything is possible if there is the political will.

Agree with you GSM.
It’s nice to be idealistic but often hopelessly impractical.

I am mostly a pragmatist with aspirations for an ideal solution to the world's problems.

Idealists have their place but some of their suggestions are hopelessly impractical. For instance some of the suggestions about how unskilled immigrants can earn a living, doing jobs which are so poorly paid that they will be reliant on benefits and/or have a side hustle in the black economy. I believe you suggested they might be gardeners, for instance, despite lacking horticultural knowledge or tools. And if they’re paid cash in hand do you believe they would declare their earnings?

I don't think it's an either/or too.
Can just be a way of attempting to dismiss someone or their ideas when its not backed by detail: otherwise its just a subjective statement according to opinion.