Barbara Ehrenreich is a activist for social change, member of the Social Democratic Party of America. He was a columnist for Time magazine and now writes for The Progressive newspaper.
In 2011 he wrote a book entitled "Smile or die" and it is a plea against positive thinking in times of crisis. Here's what you think about it:
My opinion without getting so involved:
1) Barbara Ehrenreich identifies "positive thinking" with the book "The Secret." They are 2 different things:
* "The secret" book written with a commercial purpose based on an absurd idea: the universe will give you everything you want if you focus on it. Your mind will attract it. Ridiculous.
* Positive thinking: interpret reality in a more positive and effective way without denying the facts.
They are two totally different things, right?
2) There is a very large popular trend that hates these themes of self help and personal improvement. Barbara's position on positive psychology stems from a prejudice towards these issues hence he says things like "positive thinking" is behind the economic crisis and even totalitarian regimes. Their arguments do not seem sustainable to me.
3) Positive psychology focuses on develop all the strengths and capacities of the human being. Is there anything wrong with it?
What do you think?
I had just seen the video before as it appeared in the menéame and I can say that I have the same opinion as you, I think there is an incredible mixture of absurd concepts in the video but what must be made clear without any doubt is that the thought Positive is definitely not a waste of time. Thoughts become beliefs, habits, attitudes, and actions. A positive person will always find opportunities miles away and will always respond to adverse situations with a clearer mind.
Regards!!
Thank you for your opinion Óliver. Indeed, it appeared on Menéame yesterday and on that website they precisely hate these issues, that is why it appeared on the cover and was the most commented article of the day.
Greetings.
Definitely for me to practice meditation, I have identified with a calm mind and fed with positive thoughts, it really makes me a more ALERT person !!! More AWAKE to properly dispose of the greatest power that I have that is to CHOOSE how I take reality. I am a chemist, a scientist, because of inflections in my life I walked through the ALCHEMY of intuition and now I try to "Eat my Flowers" with my feet on the ground and my senses tuned. I feel that I live in the best moment of my history, where I have access to everything, always preparing and planning the basics, so that MIRACLES happen. I love your blog. Cheer up my inspiration. Thank you from Venezuela
Positive people live better, without a doubt. And not because she gets more money, better jobs, or is more successful: simply because she learns to be happy with what she has and to enjoy what she does, and to build healthier relationships. Being positive, or thinking positive, means being proactive, being creative, moving forward, seeking new paths and new ways of doing things.