RSA Animate - Smile or Die

Acclaimed journalist, author and political activist Barbara Ehrenreich explores the darker side of positive thinking.
Watch the full lecture here: http://www.thersa.org/events/video/ar...

The RSA is a 258 year-old charity devoted to creating social progress and spreading world-changing ideas. For more information about our research, RSA Animates, free events programme and 27,000 strong fellowship.
Find out more about the RSA at http://www.thersa.org
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Produced and edited by Abi Stephenson, RSA. Animation by Cognitive Media.

• Category

  Film & Animation

[Taobeth]

"quantum physics, for some reason, has become an excuse to mock all of science."

:D

[Antiks72]

It's the sign of a stupid country. Smart people are mocked.

[Chris Ross]

If you all really want to see some motivation type in "Chris Ross Today Is The Day" I'm sure you all will love the videos on my page. Watch and Subscribe

[Adena Koslek]

When you know what you are, you bust your ass to meet others like you and you refuse to settle. "smart"? pft-

What's smart in one "quantum field" is utter idiocy in another. BRiDGEwurx.US is a wonderful way to consider living.

(free slave steps back down off soap box)

[CodenameBourbon]

Pretty much. LOL, she doesn't understand that the invisible hand isn't some "imaginary power". Its a description of human tendencies, assuming they are logical.

[AnalyticalChemist]

Agreed. I wonder how many people noticed the cognitive dissonance when she jumped from talking about artificial optimism as a tool for social control in the Soviet Union to the disparaging of "market fundamentalism" and the endorsement of government intervention in the economy. Perhaps she is confusing our current economic system of crony capitalism (or corporatism/soft fascism), which is a caricature of a free market economy.

[illfaptothis]

also, thanks RSA. whenever I try to read or listen to a lecture my mind starts picturing stuff vaguely related to what I am trying to understand, making learning pretty hard. This is very good for me.

[illfaptothis]

I have been thinking about this as well. I have been battling depression but for a very long time I was absolutely terrified of being sad or feeling negative emotions. I chased and chased after feeling happy again and of course, on many occasions, lied to myself about it.

[Hernan Chillie Caro]

you're*