Bright-Sided by Barbara Ehrenreich

How Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Undermines America

Oct 12, 2009

Author Barbara Ehrenreich isn't against happiness, hope, good health and good thoughts. She just wants to end the mass delusion of the power of positive thinking.

Children are told to make a wish before blowing out their birthday candles. An intrepid locomotive repeats, “I think I can, I think I can,” and a popular song lyric says ‘don’t worry, be happy.’ To make feelings of fear, anxiety, and sadness miraculously disappear, all one need do is to whistle a happy tune, put on a happy face, or simply remember favorite things.

But does positive thinking actually have this power? Or, is America undermining itself with an ideology that says just thinking good thoughts and believing in the outcome can make a real difference when faced with critical and troubling real world circumstances?

As the bestselling author of almost twenty books, including Nickel and Dimed and Bait and Switch, Barbara Ehrenreich knows a thing or a two about tapping into the cultural zeitgeist and, in this instance, about bringing much needed insight into the historical, collective push to convince everyone that being happy and eternally optimistic is essential for a good life.

In the book, Bright-Sided: How The Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America (Metropolitan Books/Henry Holt Company, 2009), Ehrenreich weighs rational claims concerning positive thinking (it improves health and makes it easier for people to achieve success), against less rational theories (positive thoughts can directly influence outcomes in the physical world). Her explorations and summations are strikingly cogent and based on historical facts (the rise of Puritanism, 9/11 terrorist attacks, hurricane Katrina, global recession), and observations into social movements, social science, and social malaise.

When Ehrenreich was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, she found herself surrounded by caring, well-meaning supporters who extolled the-then-59-year-old to be positive about her condition. They encouraged her to think good thoughts, and to see her cancer as something of a gift.

Ehrenreich recoiled from such platitudes, seeing their counsel as a way of saying that she could think herself healthy, and that if she did not recover, it would be the fault of her negative outlook. Ehrenreich got downright angry and, true to her calling as an investigative writer, turned her personal pain and frustration with Western culture’s mantra of “expect things to get better and they will” into a book.

While examining pivotal moments in American cultural history, and considering how the American psyche came to reach its current state of feel-good populism, Ehrenreich points a causative finger at the belief systems and world views of nineteenth century social theorists, philosophers, and clerics. In particular, she comments on all those who propagandize that positive thinking can heal all ailments, bestow wealth, and bring about successful outcomes. All this can be accomplished, they say, by simply believing it to be possible.

In her book, the author methodically draws well-argued connections between rampant consumerism, the age of materialism, and the insistence that positive thinking is the key to happiness, achievement, and overall well-being. Ms. Ehrenreich derisively writes, “…if your business fails or your job is eliminated it must because you didn't try hard enough, didn't believe firmly enough in the inevitability of your success.”

From motivational therapists and evangelical preachers, to self-help books and faith healers, the power of positive thinking removes the responsibility of failure from inadequate societal structures, governmental ineptitude, and, even, from the unpredictability of chance. Instead, negative thinking, negative expectations, and lack of faith in the self is to blame for human failure.

Ehrenreich contends that this kind of delusional thinking is not just unrealistic, but is also dangerous and irresponsible. The world is a complicated place, and it gets more complicated with each passing day. Ehrenreich pleads for Americans to become more realistic in their approach to problems, because wishing on a star, or meditating on an idea, is insufficient to bring about realizable change.

In a world gripped by economic disparity and uncertainty, the constant threat of terrorism and war, and dwindling global resources, world populations need solutions. The power to find these answers lies not in the stars or in childish wishes, but within the will of the people to be active agents in the world.

This book is an excellent read, displaying Ehrenreich’s talent for providing provocative, compelling narrative. With Bright Sided, she digs deep, finding holes in traditional mindsets and faulty theories. In the end, she issues a call for rationality, humanity, and the courage to take true action in the face of mounting challenges.

Ehrenreich doesn’t want to end hope. She only wants an end to the misguided faith in wishful thinking that has paralyzed American progress.

The copyright of the article Bright-Sided by Barbara Ehrenreich in Political Science Books is owned by Roxanne Blanford. Permission to republish Bright-Sided by Barbara Ehrenreich in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Oct 14, 2009 9:21 AM

Guest :

I heard an interview with the author on Democracy Now radio show, of which I'm a great fan. However, was disappointed with the lack of critical thinking, reporting (on both the author and DN's part) on the other side of this issue.
True, suppressing and repressing pain for positive thoughts doesn't work. It doesn't work because it actually creates negative feelings. I'm a psychotherapist and mind body specialist working with all types of trauma, cancer and health problems. She throws the baby out with the bathwater and doesn't seem to actually consider the mechanics of metaphysics which many reputable scientists have actually demonstrated the physical impact of with empirical means and measures.