Excessive Optimism Played a Big Role in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Disaster. Don’t Let It Destroy Your Startup. Posted by May 4, 2016 Leave a comment on Excessive Optimism Played a Big Role in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Disaster. Don’t Let It Destroy Your Startup. Like BP’s executives, we are all susceptible to an overly optimistic view of ourselves and our companies.