Why Does Pessimism Lead to Zero-sum Thinking?

Tobi Lütke says pessimism leads to zero-sum thinking because, once pessimism counts as sophisticated, people take fewer opportunities, growth fades, and appreciation of opportunity fades, so the strategy becomes competing for what already exists.

Humans need a frontier and work best when opportunity is present. Without a frontier or enough perceived growth, competing for what already exists is the correct strategy. An environment where zero-sum thinking predominates feels entirely different from one where positive-sum thinking predominates and people go for new markets and new ideas. The gap is the biggest difference imaginable, and the two sit far apart on a very long spectrum. Joining a startup that is winning is intoxicating because the growth is obvious. A small niche where everyone agrees optimism is acceptable usually takes the form of a company or a startup. When reversion to the mean makes pessimism the sophisticated stance, fewer opportunities get taken, growth and appreciation of opportunity fall away, and zero-sum thinking and competition return quickly.