Instant Genius The power of optimism
Jan 3, 2025
Sumit Paul-Choudhury, a science writer and author of "The Bright Side," discusses the transformative power of optimism. He explores how optimism isn't just a human trait; even animals like chickens and bumblebees exhibit hopeful behaviors. Sumit highlights the role of optimistic thinking in overcoming 21st-century challenges, from pandemics to climate change. He also delves into the complexities of optimism, debunking biases and advocating for innovative policymaking driven by collective hope.
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Three Versions of Optimism
- Optimism has three versions: psychological, philosophical, and practical.
- Psychological optimism is an innate tendency to hope for the best, present in animals and humans.
Chicken Optimism
- Chickens, when tested, show a bias towards positive interpretation, demonstrating optimism.
- They associate colors with food and tend to interpret ambiguous colors optimistically.
Philosophical Optimism
- Philosophical optimism originated with Leibniz, who argued we live in the best possible world.
- Voltaire satirized this view in Candide, portraying it as delusional.
