Reply #56: There is a difference between

[pipoman]

'pollyana' or only seeing the good, and positive thinking. I spent 20 years as a criminal defense detective. Believe me I am not naive nor a sucker. Positive thinking doesn't require rose colored glasses. Positive thinking, to me, is more open mindedness and willingness to try something new with an expectation that what ever is being tried will work. A negative thinker is most resistant to change even in the face of failure of the current system or mediocrity of the current system. Positive thinking doesn't require faith in others, only in one's self. Positive thinking imparts motivation. Eternally negative people are usually found in entry level jobs for extended periods of their lives, their negativism is manifested in an attitude of unworthiness of success which effects those in a position to improve that person's lot in life. Eternally negative people never take a risk, thus never gain the rewards only achievable through undertaking some level of risk.

Bottom line..positive thinking (like most things) can be measured on a continuum, at one extreme is the ultra negative person, probably a very angry person performing menial tasks for income, either a loner or attached to a person who is either very domineering or 'below' themselves in intelligence or appearance. The negative person usually has a nasty disposition which repels most people. At the other extreme is a person who has probably had a string of apparently good jobs, likely lives in mediocrity, has spent a lot of energy and/or money on unbelievably obvious, destined for failure ventures. Has likely been scammed more than most people...an extreme 'pollyana'. Has likely been in many relationships with people who 'out class' themselves either in intelligence or appearance.

Now I do understand where the author (and your examples) are coming from, I believe both of you are pointing to the extreme PMA (positive mental attitude) cheerleaders. Those on the other end are equally worthy of shun of their system of beliefs. Extremes are usually not good, I will remain in my position on the continuum somewhere short of the extreme PMA cheerleaders...in fact closer to the center.