Gist from above is that Ehrenreich criticizes the widespread promotion of positive thinking in American society, arguing that it's had vastly negative consequences. She argues that the focus on positive thinking has lead to an overly simplistic and individualistic view of success and happiness, and that it fails to address larger systemic issues that may contribute to negative outcomes for certain groups. That it is rare that people approach it with a critical and nuanced perspective, recognizing that there are limitations to what positive thinking can achieve and that other factors may also play a role in determining outcomes. Hence people claiming positive thinking can cure cancer and so forth.
Throughout the book, Ehrenreich weaves in personal anecdotes and interviews with people who have experienced the downside of positive thinking. From the chapter “Smile or Die: The Bright Side of Cancer,” (great chapter titles throughout): “In the most extreme characterization, breast cancer is not a problem at all, not even an annoyance—it is a 'gift,' deserving of the most heartfelt gratitude,” which transforms cancer into a rite of passage like menopause instead of a tragedy. Sure, being upbeat makes an unfavorable diagnosis easier on family and healthcare workers (p. 29). But there are plenty of problems associated with this type of positive outlook and denialism, which all reflect poorly on the patient. “Rather than providing emotional sustenance, the sugarcoating of cancer can exact a dreadful cost... It requires the denial of understandable feelings of anger and fear, all of which must be buried under a cosmetic layer of cheer,” (p. 41). To have a negative attitude in such a world is to be ostracized. It can thus “weigh on a cancer patient like a second disease,” (p. 43) though a positive attitude does nothing to move the needle in terms of mortality rates. Here we see even a cancer patients are pressured to maintain a cheerful attitude at all times. Then when they eventually die, it was their own faults for having the wrong attitude.
She also explores the origins of positive thought. Overall, it's a long and complex history. While it has some roots in ancient philosophical and spiritual traditions (ancient Greek and Roman philosophers such as Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius), in its present form, it mostly sprung up from the “New Thought” movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which was somewhat new information to me.
This movement emphasized the power of positive thoughts and beliefs to shape one's reality, which spawned a number of self-help and motivational speakers, like Dale Carnegie and Norman Vincent Peale. This led, talking the mid-20th century here, the field of psychology began to explore the relationship between thoughts and behavior. This led to an upsurge in positive psychology as a subfield focused on studying the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being.
The power of positive thinking has been the subject of scientific research, with some studies suggesting that there may be some benefits to cultivating a positive mindset. This includes reducing stress, supposedly boosting immune function, improving overall well-being, greater resilience in the face of adversity, so forth. But most of these benefits were minimal or nonexistent, almost all requiring more research.
Of course all this information was used for the basis of making the practice respectable, ignoring the fact that most studies have found little to no correlation between positive thinking and improved outcomes. Despite this, it's become the dominant ideology in America, influencing everything from corporate culture to medicine and psychology, going way beyond the religious, infiltrating even the most secular among us, claiming science.
In the chapter, “How Positive Thinking Ruined the Economy,” for example, she writes about how politicians ignored warning signs and took optimistic approaches. Surrounding themselves with “yes men” instead of people willing to tell the truth, resulting in the 2008 financially crisis. You can draw your own parallels to Trump and the pandemic, his impeachment, the election, and like 200 other things.
Then there is the “God Wants You To Be Rich” which deals with then prosperity gospel. For those that don't know, the prosperity gospel is a religious belief system that emphasizes material wealth and financial prosperity as evidence of one's spiritual well-being and favor with God. It teaches that faith, positive thinking, and donations to the church or religious leaders will lead to blessings and success in all areas of life, including health, relationships, and finances. It's a huge crock of shit. It distorts traditional Christian teachings by focusing on material gain rather than spiritual growth and service to others. It also preys on vulnerable individuals who are struggling financially, promising them quick fixes and prosperity without addressing the underlying systemic issues that contribute to their poverty. I fucking hate this shit.
Quick confession. I have a pessimistic worldview. I'll give you a second to catch your breath. I acknowledge the negative aspects of existence and for the most part see the future as bleak and hopeless. The world is hostile and unforgiving. Bad things happen to good people everyday and on the macro level there is little hope for improvement. Such improvement would mean overcoming human nature, which is fundamentally flawed. People are inherently selfish and prone to destructive behaviors.
From my time as a journalist, I've looked killers in the eye, known kids who died while texting and driving, and seen meth claw our people's brains. I've seen the darkness of human existence. Things are going to get worse rather than better. We've got climate change, peak oil, and overpopulation hurtling toward us at an astounding rate, yet people just ignore those things.
Despite this, I find joy and meaning in life. Every moment is a gift and should be cherished. I therefore do my part to grow and transform society, though I know such actions are only delaying the inevitability of death and societal collapse (which may or may not happen in my lifetime [probably within]).
As such, I loved that this book gives me ammunition for the blind optimists. So don't come at me with any crap. I don't want that!
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