4-3-10 Bright Sided by Barbara Ehrenreich - Non-Fiction

3 - An interesting look at how the constant "positive thinking" adopted by so many is making the world a worse place. Ehrenreich pulls from her own experiences as well as from others who don't believe "positive thinking" is a cure for all that ails you. Her first chapter about keeping a positive outlook in the face of illness was most interesting to me. She spoke of her own experience with breast cancer and how it seemed as if she was not allowed to be angry or depressed about her illness. Support groups and online forum reinforced this by never using or allowing the words 'victim' or 'patient.' The new positive thinking movement places all blame for all problems, whether they be medical or financial, on the people affected by stating they allowed too many negative forces into their lives. Noe, I'm all for personal responsibility, but telling the person who lost their job, home, and car or the terminal cancer patient that it's all their fault because they didn't try hard enough and thought negative thoughts is a load of bull. The effect "positive thinking" has had on religion was my second favorite chapter. I'm normally a pretty chipper person, perhaps a little heavy on the sarcasm, but even I get pissed off royally on occasion and don't feel I should be punished for venting. If you think the same way, but especially if you don't, check this book out.