Pessimism Videos

Gary addresses how the state of our nation has a pessimistic view socially, culturally, and politically. Having this view, there can only be two states of mind: 1) That there will be an inevitable decline or 2) That our nation can get out this slump.

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/10/24/Bright-Sided_Barbara_Ehrenreich Journalist and author Barbara Ehrenreich criticizes the "delusional" positivity that she believes has permeated American culture. She suggests that so-called "negative" realists are persecuted for their attitudes, particularly in business. ----- Barbara Ehrenreich presents a sharp-witted knockdown of America's love affair with positive thinking and an urgent call for a new commitment to realism. Americans are a "positive" people -- cheerful, optimistic, and upbeat: this is our reputation as well as our self-image. But more than a temperament, being positive, we are told, is the key to success and prosperity. In this utterly original take on the American frame of mind, Barbara Ehrenreich traces the strange career of our sunny outlook from its origins as a marginal nineteenth-century healing technique to its enshrinement as a dominant, almost mandatory, cultural attitude. Evangelical mega-churches preach the good news that you only have to want something to get it, because God wants to "prosper" you. The medical profession prescribes positive thinking for its presumed health benefits. Academia has made room for new departments of "positive psychology" and the "science of happiness." Nowhere, though, has bright-siding taken firmer root than within the business community, where, as Ehrenreich shows, the refusal even to consider negative outcomes -- like mortgage defaults -- contributed directly to the current economic crisis. - Commonwealth Club of California Barbara Ehrenreich is the author of thirteen books, including the New York Times bestseller Nickel and Dimed. A frequent contributor to the New York Times, Harpers, and the Progressive, she is a contributing writer to Time magazine. She lives in Florida.

Is looking on the bright side a bad thing? That's what columnist Barbara Ehrenreich claims. She says our culture of positive thinking has hurt us. If we focus on the positive, do we ignore reality and the problems at hand? Has the optimism of corporate America blinded us from seeing risks? Ehrenreich joins us to burst some bubbles and reveal how looking on the bright side may do more harm than good.

A short animated movie about the state of progressive politics today and what's standing in our way. By the folks at the Movement Vision Lab. Ranked 3.60 / 5 | 2 views | 0 comments Click here to watch the video (01:48) Submitted By: Babelgum Tags: Babelgum Our Earth Action Tv Community Present Green Power Politics Future Environmental Animation Environment Optimism Eco Vision Pessimism Progressive Green.tv Ethical Pragmatism Categories: People & Stories

Day in 100 Seconds for March 6, 2009

Noted author, psychologist and healer Joan Borysenko helps us understand pessimism and provides practical advice for turning those negative tendencies into optimistic action. It s an approach she says can help us all be more stress hardy.

Wallstrip hits the streets to find out what everyday folks are saying about The Big R.

Live Nov 18, 2005 @ Off Broadway St. Louis USA Dedicated to E.M. CIORANwww.kalkisarmy.comwww.MYSPACE.com/luftwaffe