tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post6285794387186375331..comments2023-09-29T05:32:04.308-07:00Comments on StrangePegs: Bright-sided (or How Positive Thinking Will Let You Down)Andrew Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-4791899345693598682011-05-28T18:54:44.065-07:002011-05-28T18:54:44.065-07:00Evidently, you weren't being positive enough, ...Evidently, you weren't being positive enough, Jennifer. If you had been, blogger would have circumvented whatever technical glitch was happening and posted your comment, anyway. >grin<<br /><br />I'm sorry I missed your other comment. I must not have been being positive enough either.<br /><br />I suppose I ought to say, at this point, that I am not espousing negativity. However, I do think, in the positive thinking camp, that if you are not at a constant 10 on the positive scale, you can be seen as being negative.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-89137571015412578712011-05-27T19:20:04.014-07:002011-05-27T19:20:04.014-07:00I think being positive is a good thing but thinkin...I think being positive is a good thing but thinking all of your hopes and dreams will come true just because you think positive is a bit unrealistic. I had this long comment I wrote but then it wouldn't let me post it....I don't remember what they heck I wrote. But anyway I like this post its interesting and I enjoyed reading your other followers comments.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16232979489927013323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-75793281126828078652011-05-27T15:39:19.106-07:002011-05-27T15:39:19.106-07:00Yeah, I'm not talking about just having a good...Yeah, I'm not talking about just having a good attitude. I'm talking about positive thinking as put forth in books like The Secret and somewhat formalized by the positive psychology movement which started in the mid-90s. There's thinking positively and, then, there's positive thinking.<br />hehAndrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-5792830040395241962011-05-27T14:26:07.109-07:002011-05-27T14:26:07.109-07:00I'm starting to wonder if we're even talki...I'm starting to wonder if we're even talking about the same thing. You speak of positive thinking almost like a formalized sort of belief system, and in that case I'm on board with you all the way. <br /><br />I am a firm believer that the universe is more or less indifferent towards me, it doesn't care if I have a flat tire, a billion dollars, or bad case of indigestion. To believe that I have a power over the universe by thinking positively is setting me up for a miserable end. I'm totally agreed with you on that point. <br /><br />However, I stand by my previous comment on the subject too, I just may have been a wee bit off on a tangent.Rusty Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09887821877521181811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-49636127829983254992011-05-27T12:49:21.424-07:002011-05-27T12:49:21.424-07:00Actually, I would say people that are really into ...Actually, I would say people that are really into positive thinking will be less likely to push through and submit that manuscript just one more time. The research does show that people that ascribe to positive thinking have a much harder time handling adversity. The realistic view says, "if I keep working at it, eventually, I will find someone that wants to look at my work." The positive thinking view says, "If I keep a positive attitude, it will happen." When it doesn't happen the positive thinker gives up.<br /><br />Positive thinking has also been shown to have negative consequences for cancer patients, because they will not take all the steps they should because they believe their positive attitude is enough to bring them through.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-5040325907282713452011-05-25T19:43:33.272-07:002011-05-25T19:43:33.272-07:00I want to agree with you, and I guess I do for the...I want to agree with you, and I guess I do for the most part. But I do think there is a real, physiological effect that can come from how you think about things. The placebo effect is well documented, and is related closely enough with the 'positive thinking' for me to expect to see some real results, from it - It can't force cancer into remission, or regrow a missing limb. But it can probably do a lot for a mysterious headache.<br /><br />On the flip side, I don't know of any empirical data, but I know of lots of anecdotal evidence that thinking negatively can have horrible physical manifestations. I know witch doctors and shamans that were amazed when their 'death curses' didn't have any effect on white explorers or missionaries, when it did have power of the locals. <br /><br />Or, in the case that Carl Sagan recounted about European explorers in the Americas were traveling down the coastline (in modern day Mexico I believe), and were thought of as gods by the inhabitants of the places they would visit. Someone reported a miracle after encountering them and spread the tale to other villages. As they continued traveling they were met by larger and larger crowds, holding up sick children and lame loved ones. When the constant touching and praying got to be too much, one guy got angry and cursed at a local... who dropped dead on the spot. <br /><br />Again, the power of belief at work.<br /><br />So, positive thinking is probably a big bunch of phooey when it comes to stopping a tornado or keeping you from getting downsized, but it might make you submit your novel just one more time when a less positive person would quit.<br /><br />Speaking of corporate evilness though, I've read that a disproportionate number folks in upper level management in huge corporations tend to be sociopaths because the very things that tend to define their disorders also make them terrific businessmen and women. <br /><br />I've not heard it stated, but I'd wager the same is true for politicians.Rusty Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09887821877521181811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-23079629863171286882011-05-25T10:42:52.192-07:002011-05-25T10:42:52.192-07:00Yeah, the whole "health, wealth and prosperit...Yeah, the whole "health, wealth and prosperity" deal in the church is really sad. :( And when it goes hand in hand with the charismatic chaos, it's downright scary.Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03069897530698619472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-24591903792884938202011-05-25T10:40:07.353-07:002011-05-25T10:40:07.353-07:00Nice post. I have read Nickeled & Dimed, and h...Nice post. I have read Nickeled & Dimed, and her other book, Bait & Switch, so I will have to pick this one up - she is a great writer. I can think all the happy thoughts I want but that doesn't make me any more money or get my book written... I've always thought these ideas of positive thinking are a crock of BS - but we'll see what she has to say, too.. maybe I'm thinking too negatively lol!Meaghanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10197729771455348880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-19905298602951017982011-05-25T09:41:23.309-07:002011-05-25T09:41:23.309-07:00I agree with everything you've said here. I ha...I agree with everything you've said here. I have co-workers that are flabbergasted when something unfortunate happens to them or someone that they know that is active in church or effectively does "good" to the world. They say, "How could this happen? I mean, she's such a good person? It's stunning that God would allow so-and-so's son to get sick with cancer"...etc. My point is that there is no karma bank and positive thinking is simply a lie to hide from the truth. I prefer truth.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.com