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A review by erat
The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking by Oliver Burkeman
5.0
In spite of its title, this is not a happiness-for-sourpusses-howto book. It's unfortunate that the title is so misleading, as I imagine a lot of people will avoid the book over this minor misdirection.
The book is more of a cautionary tale for folks that are motivated by 'positive thinking' (cue Stuart Smiley: "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggonit, people like me."). I could go into the specifics of how the book does this but I'd end up copying the entire book into this review. Really, you just have to read it.
The basic idea: the "Cult of Optimism" (author's term) is flawed, it's overly simplistic, and in most cases it doesn't even work. By embracing negative scenarios, we allow ourselves to not only prepare and make solid decisions, but we also remove negativity's power over us. It's not new-age or holistic hocus pocus. It's acceptance that we can't control the universe and shouldn't bother trying. That, and wishing away negativity will ultimately hurt more than help us.
There is also discussion about ego and the dangers of goal-setting, Mexico's Day of the Dead, the "Get Motivated!" events that took over the US a few years ago, Buddhism...lots of stuff for a short 200 page book.
Just read it. Even if you hate self-help books like I do, or maybe you love them and can't imagine learning from a book that suggests acceptance of negativity and failure may cure personal angst and stress. Read it anyway. If nothing else, it'll get you out of your echo chamber.
The book is more of a cautionary tale for folks that are motivated by 'positive thinking' (cue Stuart Smiley: "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggonit, people like me."). I could go into the specifics of how the book does this but I'd end up copying the entire book into this review. Really, you just have to read it.
The basic idea: the "Cult of Optimism" (author's term) is flawed, it's overly simplistic, and in most cases it doesn't even work. By embracing negative scenarios, we allow ourselves to not only prepare and make solid decisions, but we also remove negativity's power over us. It's not new-age or holistic hocus pocus. It's acceptance that we can't control the universe and shouldn't bother trying. That, and wishing away negativity will ultimately hurt more than help us.
There is also discussion about ego and the dangers of goal-setting, Mexico's Day of the Dead, the "Get Motivated!" events that took over the US a few years ago, Buddhism...lots of stuff for a short 200 page book.
Just read it. Even if you hate self-help books like I do, or maybe you love them and can't imagine learning from a book that suggests acceptance of negativity and failure may cure personal angst and stress. Read it anyway. If nothing else, it'll get you out of your echo chamber.