Today, an engineer quietly solved the glass half empty problem.
"You
see, it really depends on the initial state. If the glass starts out
empty, and is filled to half, the glass is half full, or put another
way, trending toward fullness. If the glass starts out full and half
of its contents are consumed, then the glass is half empty or trending
toward emptiness. It's just a simple engineering relationship. Your
perception of the glass as half empty or half full depends upon your
frame of reference and your stated objective.
Answer the question, 'For what is the system designed and what are its goals?' and you will be able to - construct - the - system - accurately... uhm... err. You guys must think I'm really stupid, huh?"