Well, I had originally written a couple of paragraphs about the "some people" you mentioned being in one of the first three phases of Kübler-Ross (denial, anger, bargaining) and holding out hope, while you may (without assuming) have reached "acceptance". If you no longer hold out any hope, I would think you must have at one time, and would remember/understand those folks reasons/motivations.

That's what I get for trying to tackle the rhetorical/philosophical angles; I'm danged if I do and danged if I don't.

Doc