Today's Dilbert is something I see all the time. The joke here is management, but I see it from developers too. Basically imagining the worst possible outcome. Of course there is the opposite, imagining the best possible outcome.
The problem is critical thinking. Most people can't do it anymore. You need to examine critically the statements made to say it is bullshit or not. Of course it helps that the person making such statements isn't either a complete rube or has some other evil (or accidentally evil) intent.
Why would people say silly things that are either massively pessimistic, FUD but also mind blowing optimistic? Sadly it isn't because they are clueless, but they are just diversionary tactics. It is not that something is impossible, they just don't want to do it. It isn't that adopting a new language or technology is easy and spuper productive, but it is cool and would look good on a resume.
Remember the old saw: Don't assume malice when simple stupidity will do. Well, here is another one: If they really aren't that stupid, there is another reason why they 'sound' stupid. Sadly this 'sounding stupid' is pretty deep. To say something stupid, you have to commit to believing the statement. That means endless argument as facts will be ignored.
The human brain is a messy place.
On to the cartoon!
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