If someone offers an off-the-cuff optimistic theory, even a goofy one like aliens or some sort of Bermuda Triangle inversion or whatever, why do people assume that is flippancy and not world-weariness? I won't speak for Captrek, but I know that *I* didn't offer what I said before about them landing on I-40 to be flippant, I offered it because it would be nice if JUST ONCE something AWESOME was going on instead of the expected misery. I don't honestly expect it - I don't think anyone really does, we know the score - but wouldn't it be nice for a change? I'm never quite ready to give up entirely while there's still a fraction of a chance, even if it does amount to beating my head against a brick wall every time the final words on things like this come in.The problem has nothing to do with speculation being offered by laymen. The problem is flippancy.
I think if you'll carefully reread what I said, I didn't say that optimism was the problem. I'm 100% positive that I said that flippancy is the problem, a word that has a very specific definition.
If you (general you) are being flippant, then you're likely to offend people in this sort of situation. That, after all, is what the word means. On the other hand, if you're not being flippant, then, obviously, you're not as likely to offend in that manner. It's pretty straightforward, really.
If you (general you) are so world-weary that you're confusing aliens or Bermuda Triangle inversions with optimistic theories, then I can't help you. Seek counseling and/or go on vacation would be my best advice.