221. Why Are We So Pessimistic?

Are things really as bad as they seem? Has Gen Z given up hope for the world? And why was the father of positive psychology a lifelong pessimist?

SOURCES:Albert Bandura • , professor of psychology at Stanford University. David Brooks • , author and opinion columnist . Andrew Grove • , former C.E.O. and chairman of Intel Corporation. Kalev Leetaru • , founder of the GDELT Project. Steven Maier • , professor of behavioral neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder. Michelle Obama • , attorney, author, and former first lady of the United States. Steven Pinker • , professor of psychology at Harvard University. Amanda Ripley • , journalist and author. Martin Seligman • , professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Jean Twenge • , professor of psychology at San Diego State University. Edward Zigler • , professor emeritus of psychology at Yale University.

RESOURCES: • " Chicken Littles Are Ruining America • ," by David Brooks ( The Atlantic, • 2024). Generations, • by Jean Twenge (2023). Enlightenment Now, • by Steven Pinker (2018). • " The Short History of Global Living Conditions and Why It Matters That We Know It • ," by Max Roser ( Our World in Data, • 2016). • " Learned Helplessness at Fifty: Insights from Neuroscience • ," by Steven F. Maier and Martin E. P. Seligman ( Psychological Review, • 2016). • " Short- and Long-Term Consequences of Stressor Controllability in Adolescent Rats • ," by Kenneth H. Kubala, John P. Christianson, Steven F. Maier, et al. ( Behavioural Brain Research, • 2012). The Better Angels of Our Nature, • by Steven Pinker (2011). • " Forecasting Large-Scale Human Behavior Using Global News Media Tone in Time and Space • ," by Kalev Leetaru ( First Monday, • 2011). • " Motivational Aspects of Changes in IQ Test Performance of Culturally Deprived Nursery School Children • ," by Edward Zigler and Earl C. Butterfield ( Child Development, • 1968). • " Failure to Escape Traumatic Shock • ," by Martin E. P. Seligman and Steven F. Maier ( Journal of Experimental Psychology, • 1967). Upworthy • .

EXTRAS: • " Why Is U.S. Media So Negative? • " by Freakonomics Radio • (2021).

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