Comments on: Book Review: Bright-sided: How The Relentless Promotion Of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America by Barbara Ehrenreich http://www.bloggernews.net/122622 High-quality English language analysis and editorial writing on the news. Sun, 27 May 2012 10:07:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: themindmedic http://www.bloggernews.net/122622#comment-1689122 themindmedic Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:44:20 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/122622#comment-1689122 I think positive thinking in this country has gotten a little out of control.we do know that there is a placebo effect though, that if you believe that something will help you get better, it often will. I think positive thinking in this country has gotten a little out of control.we do know that there is a placebo effect though, that if you believe that something will help you get better, it often will.

]]> By: Leslie Burkhardt http://www.bloggernews.net/122622#comment-1424586 Leslie Burkhardt Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:45:04 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/122622#comment-1424586 I hope that Ms Ehrenreich’s book has enough influence that the value of critical thinking gains momentum. “Respectful criticism” is considered to be an oxymoronic phrase by far too many professionals in the field of rehabilitation in which I work and study. Positive thinking tends to dominate in a way that is often not in the best interests of the people that we are trying to benefit. The North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society recently issued the following carefully worded statement about rehabilitation techniques for people with visual field loss, “Affected people are often enthusiastic about them but this usually is true in rehabilitation studies, and telling the difference between placebo effect and real benefit is often difficult.” I can’t assign all the blame on the field per se, though, because the people who work in it were raised in family and educational environments that stressed positive thinking. This foundation permeates to such a degree that they have become less able to discern evidence-based results from wishful thinking. I hope that Ms Ehrenreich’s book has enough influence that the value of critical thinking gains momentum. “Respectful criticism” is considered to be an oxymoronic phrase by far too many professionals in the field of rehabilitation in which I work and study. Positive thinking tends to dominate in a way that is often not in the best interests of the people that we are trying to benefit. The North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society recently issued the following carefully worded statement about rehabilitation techniques for people with visual field loss, “Affected people are often enthusiastic about them but this usually is true in rehabilitation studies, and telling the difference between placebo effect and real benefit is often difficult.” I can’t assign all the blame on the field per se, though, because the people who work in it were raised in family and educational environments that stressed positive thinking. This foundation permeates to such a degree that they have become less able to discern evidence-based results from wishful thinking.

]]> By: Charles http://www.bloggernews.net/122622#comment-1423907 Charles Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:24:15 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/122622#comment-1423907 I am glad someone came out and verbalized this. I see the effects of irrational positive thinking at the company I work for. Anyone that brings up problems is considered a "negative" person. The thing is THE PROBLEMS ARE REAL. They need to be brought up and addressed. The management was able to ignore them while the economy was string, but now it has fallen apart. And management still struts around patting each other on the back, despite HUGE losses, HUGE inventory shrinks and quality problems that are driving our customers away. I am glad someone came out and verbalized this. I see the effects of irrational positive thinking at the company I work for. Anyone that brings up problems is considered a “negative” person. The thing is THE PROBLEMS ARE REAL. They need to be brought up and addressed. The management was able to ignore them while the economy was string, but now it has fallen apart. And management still struts around patting each other on the back, despite HUGE losses, HUGE inventory shrinks and quality problems that are driving our customers away.

]]> By: Mary http://www.bloggernews.net/122622#comment-1423901 Mary Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:09:45 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/122622#comment-1423901 I saw her on the Daily Show last night and her book has really caught my interest. I've always been a firm believer in positive thinking versus self loathing thinking. Wouldn't stress be a much lighter load to carry if there is some hope or light at the end of the tunnel? I understand fully about her battle with breast cancer and I have watch a few people in my life battle the disease. I can say from my experience, that keeping the negative off the mind helps ease the pain and had made recovery so much more successful for my sister. I love her for the way she accepted and battled her cancer. Then again, each of us has a different way of handling stressful times of our lives. Some tend to take dark end but I praise those that face it with a smile and hope that one day it will get better. It is easier to moan than to smile. But then again, I don't write books, so I could be wrong! I saw her on the Daily Show last night and her book has really caught my interest. I’ve always been a firm believer in positive thinking versus self loathing thinking. Wouldn’t stress be a much lighter load to carry if there is some hope or light at the end of the tunnel? I understand fully about her battle with breast cancer and I have watch a few people in my life battle the disease. I can say from my experience, that keeping the negative off the mind helps ease the pain and had made recovery so much more successful for my sister. I love her for the way she accepted and battled her cancer. Then again, each of us has a different way of handling stressful times of our lives. Some tend to take dark end but I praise those that face it with a smile and hope that one day it will get better. It is easier to moan than to smile. But then again, I don’t write books, so I could be wrong!

]]> By: usblues http://www.bloggernews.net/122622#comment-1423845 usblues Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:06:52 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/122622#comment-1423845 I think positive thinking in this country has gotten a little out of control. we do know that there is a placebo effect though, that if you believe that something will help you get better, it often will. I think positive thinking in this country has gotten a little out of control.

we do know that there is a placebo effect though, that if you believe that something will help you get better, it often will.

]]> By: kimmybob57 http://www.bloggernews.net/122622#comment-1423601 kimmybob57 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:23:40 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/122622#comment-1423601 It's interesting that Mr. Gebhart used the paronomasia of "Blind-sided" in his review when I suppose he meant to say "Bright-sided: "Blind-sided is weaker in supporting its proposition that positive thinking has undermined America." Not sure that's significant of anything, just interesting. It’s interesting that Mr. Gebhart used the paronomasia of “Blind-sided” in his review when I suppose he meant to say “Bright-sided:

“Blind-sided is weaker in supporting its proposition that positive thinking has undermined America.”

Not sure that’s significant of anything, just interesting.

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