Smile or Die: Summary Review
This is a summary review of Smile or Die containing key details about the book.
What is Smile or Die About?
"Smile or Die: How Positive Thinking Fooled America and the World" by Barbara Ehrenreich is a critique of the positive thinking movement and its impact on society.
Smile or Die explores the tyranny of positive thinking, and offers a history of how it came to be the dominant mode in the USA. The author conceived of the book when she became ill with breast cancer, and found herself surrounded by pink ribbons and bunny rabbits and platitudes. She balked at the way her anger and sadness about having the disease were seen as unhealthy and dangerous by health professionals and other sufferers.
Summary Points & Takeaways from Smile or Die
Some key summary points and takeaways from the book include:
* The positive thinking movement has a negative impact on individuals: The author argues that the focus on positive thinking can lead individuals to ignore their problems and the root causes of their difficulties, and can also create feelings of guilt and inadequacy when they are unable to maintain a positive outlook.
* Positive thinking is often used to justify inequality: The author claims that positive thinking can be used to justify social and economic inequality, as those who are struggling are often told that their lack of success is due to a failure to think positively.
* Positive thinking can harm public policy: The author argues that the focus on positive thinking can lead to a neglect of evidence-based policies, and can also create a false sense of optimism that hinders the development of effective solutions to societal problems.
* Positive thinking is not supported by scientific evidence: The author asserts that there is limited scientific evidence to support the claims made by positive thinking advocates, and that many of these claims are based on anecdotal evidence rather than rigorous scientific studies.
* Positive thinking can lead to denial: The author argues that positive thinking can lead individuals to ignore or downplay the severity of problems, which can prevent them from taking appropriate action to address those problems.
* Overall, "Smile or Die: How Positive Thinking Fooled America and the World" provides a critical examination of the positive thinking movement and its impact on society. The author argues that while a positive outlook can be beneficial in some situations, the focus on positive thinking can also have negative consequences and should be approached with caution.
Who is the author of Smile or Die?
Barbara Ehrenreich is an American author and political activist who has been called "a veteran muckraker" by The New Yorker. During the 1980s and early 1990s she was a prominent figure in the Democratic Socialists of America.
Book details
- Print length: 256 pages
- Genre: Nonfiction, Psychology, Sociology
What are the chapters in Smile or Die?
Chapter 1 Early United States Settlers Were Pessimists
Chapter 2 The Health Wealth Gospel
Chapter 3 Positive Thinking is Profitable
Chapter 4 Does Positive Thinking Have Any Health Benefits?
Chapter 5 Too Much of a Good Thing
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you're interested in enhancing your personal growth, I suggest checking out my list of favorite self-development books. These books have been instrumental in my own personal development and I'm confident they can help you too.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
