Positivity

[waynetta]

I increasingly get the hump with this 'positive' mindset we're all supposed to have at all times. I think it's a bloody american thing. Anyway i have just been reading a book about people who have survived in extreme situations and psychologists have named a phenomenon called the 'Stockdale paradox' named after an American prisoner in the Vietnam war. It seems that the prisoners who more often perished in captivity were the optimists. This was because they were the ones who thought they'd be released by christmas, and christmas would come and go, and thanksgiving, and christmas again etc. In the end they died of a broken heart.

The moral of the story?

Stick to being a miserable bugger, you've got more chance of escaping from a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp..

[HonaloochieB]

Always adopt the Private Frasier philosophy.

[computedshorty]

Admiral Stockdale first names James, Bond, but it did not get him in the White House

[waynetta]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7c/Bob_todd.jpg

[Nero]

Barbara Ehrenreich is your woman on this topic.

[Saffron]

Let me get this straight. The options are to die of a broken heart, or to live in a prison camp? Hmmm. Tough one.

[DJKillaQueen]

Or just avoid Vietnam altogether!

[SeanMacGabhann]

You'd be missing out if you avoid vietnam

[waynetta]

Stockdale reasoned that the optimists were in denial. By accepting the brutal reality of the situation he was able to psychologically steel himself to endure the rigours of captivity.

[DJKillaQueen]

I'd love to go to Vietnam Sean (I'm guessing you've been).......

[felt-tip]

I saw a book the other day which was slating the american positivism myth. I read a bit. The author was such a h8er.

[Captain Scarlet]

Vietnam?....Me loveeeeeeee you long time?

Trust the yanks to come up with doozie like that!'Stockdale paradox'

but I agree be a miserable bugger! lol