Interview with Barbara Ehrenreich about her latest book, Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America - For author Ehrenreich, realism beats positive thinking

I've read about half the book. It's rather depressing. Did you know that many companies won't hire people they think are not "positive thinkers"? And the cancer stuff is even more depressing.

Her breast cancer diagnosis introduced writer Barbara Ehrenreich to an unfamiliar world of positive thinking — pink ribbons, pink teddy bears and even the idea that cancer is a "gift" that will make you a better person.

The author ("Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America"), who has a doctorate in cell biology, was appalled by the notion that a cheerful attitude is a key to beating this dreaded disease.

What followed was an exploration of the false promises of positive thinking. These included the mantra of motivators, life coaches, mega church pastors and self-help gurus that if you think positively, whatever you want — a great job, lots of money, good health — will be yours.

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Q: Have you received hate mail because you're not the positive, sunny person the true believers think you should be?

A: No, it's very much the opposite. People saying, "Thank God someone said it. Now I feel sane." Some of the kinds of people who are likely to write are 1. Cancer victims 2. People who have been laid off and were not getting anywhere and are sick of being told to be happy about it and 3. People who have actually lost their jobs because they weren't positive enough.

That is quite a category. It doesn't mean they were sullen or surly at work. It could mean they didn't get sufficiently into the high-five culture.

Books! Laptops!

If I'm supposed to bring along things to distract me from the fact that I'm taking a bath, I think this is further evidence that baths are not that awesome.

I can read a book while sitting in a comfy chair, or curled up in bed, and again it's the same benefit with less effort. And better lighting. And no soggy books.

Gah. I would probably love that book. I'm in general, a pretty positive person, but a lot of positive thinking stuff strikes me as so much woo.

From my sister, a local (to her) commercial for the ages [link]

They're not to distract you. It's the difference between sitting anywhere and not doing anything, and sitting there and doing something--it can be comfy and pleasant, or comfy and pleasant and interesting.

Though my lighting is good, and my fairy jasmine bath bombs are about the only scent I can tolerate these days, so I am protective of bathtime.

I'm not a big bath person, not because I don't like them, but because standard bathtubs are uncomfortable. They're too short, so either, most of my legs are out of the water, or I have to hang them over the side. Give me a real soaking tub, and I'm there.

Super Heroic Minimalism.

I dunno, I file baths with other girl-things that I do not get. I genuinely don't find it all that comfy and pleasant. It's a slightly nicer sensation than a hot shower, but only briefly.

Actually, I suppose I'm just not a water person, since I'm not big on beaches/lakes/swimming pools, either. Hm. I hadn't made that connection before.

Super Heroic Minimalism.

Heh. Poor Iron Man.

I always take a book to the bath, but I never read it. If the water's hot enough and the tub is deep enough, I just zone.

My favorite bathtub ever was the one at the Planet Hollywood hotel in Vegas. Huge, deep, soaking tub made of glass. I could practically float in it, it was so deep.

I agree with the first two points but not the third. Employees need to fit into the corporate culture, no matter what that is. In the law firm I worked in, you had to be willing to work 80 hours a week to make partner. They expected you to work late and every weekend. Woo woo or positive upbeat enthusiasm would have gotten you thrown out the door. If you were not serious and work-obsessed, it was not the place for you. If you go to work at a place that wants upbeat, cheery people, don't sign on if you can't be (or fake) it.