Thiel's two-axis framework: definite vs. indefinite expectations of the future, times optimistic vs. pessimistic. Modern America runs on indefinite optimism — the future will be better, but nobody plans how: finance as optionality-maximization ("money is more valuable than anything you could possibly do with it"), Darwinian "lean startup" iteration, résumé-hoarding careers. Indefinite optimism is inherently unsustainable: "how can the future get better if no one plans for it?" The recovery is definite optimism — engineering the future you want, the ethos that built the interstate highways and Apollo in a dozen years.

— In our words · Source: Zero to One (Peter Thiel with Blake Masters)