Brockley and Brockley: Is life naturally comic or tragic?

Springfield Abe: And with that, a mighty cheer went up from the heroes of Springfield. They had brought the sacred tree back to its native soil, and though Flanders was stuck with the impound fee, he could easily afford it.
Shelbyville Abe: And with that, a mighty cheer went up from the heroes of Shelbyville. They had banished the awful lemon tree forever, because it was haunted. Now let's all celebrate with a cool glass of turnip juice.
- The Simpsons, Lemon of Troy

Yesterday, someone other than us said something very insightful on Brockley Central. In the discussion that followed Brockley Ben's chicken shop exclusive, reader Hmmm suggested:

I think you have to be 'a-look-on-the- brightside, happy, sociable, non jugdemental person to appreciate Brockley.

We think that's probably true, since it is possible to walk through Brockley and see both beauty and squalor at the same time. You can look at Brockley station and dwell on the ugly hut or focus on the rows of flowers planted by Brockley residents. You can complain that there are too few places to go out locally or you can take advantage of the huge range of local events organised throughout the year.

And because Brockley can divide opinion in this way, perhaps it attracts more optimists than pessimists. And perhaps that's one of the reasons why it's such a nice place to live. So, which are you - an optimist or a pessimist? We've started a poll - please cast your vote.