4 ms·

I like to call this "toxic positivity". Forced cheeriness about the grind, the hustle, we're all in this together, etc. Better than negativity, but not by much

I like to call this "toxic positivity". Forced cheeriness about the grind, the hustle, we're all in this together, etc. Better than negativity, but not by much.

dinosaurdynasty 4y ago
I'm not sure it's better than negativity to be honest. Honest negativity is at least honest.
- FollowingTheDao 4y ago
  Honesty, yes, that is what is missing. Why the moral judgments on positive or negative? They both have their place. It’s the moralizing of positive or negative that causes problems in society. And yes, I blame social media because advertisers love focusing on just the positive and not the negative.
  - dinosaurdynasty 4y ago
    There's definitely some bad toxic negativity (that one British chef that goes crazy with expletives in American shows comes to mind). But "we can't express negativity whatsoever, we must express that everything is totally fine even when we're wading through shit" is its own kind of horrible.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
- skeeter2020 4y ago
  that's just a unconventional way of describing constructive criticism in my mind though, which can still be done in a positive way.
  - dinosaurdynasty 4y ago
    Constructive criticism isn't toxic positivity. Toxic positivity is "all criticism is negative, therefore no criticism".
- sidibe 4y ago
  I've been on projects where I'm genuinely more pessimistic and negative than everyone else. I still think if it's not a project that I want to change or own or feel strongly against, it's my duty to not show that negativity. I won't pretend enthusiasm but I will at least fake positivity enough to try to make sure I don't infect the people around me if they are enthusiastic
sublinear 4y ago
I don't think it's "forced" cheeriness as much as an expectation that develops over time as the vast majority looks for a "life hack" and runs that river dry.
PradeetPatel 4y ago
Like many other tools utilised by powerful leaders/CEOs, mandatory positively, too, is a means to an end. An excolleague of mine was a "happiness engineer" at a FAANG-esque firm, we discussed the pros and cons of ensuring positive communication is demonstrated in all echelons of the business. We were delighted knowing that although discontent existed in some engineers, the mandatory happiness messaging prevented them from gaining any real traction and material support from the rest of the business, since that goes against the business culture. Thus, the problematic engineers could be dealt with and removed with minimal impact on the morale and reputation of the company.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
- sublinear 4y ago
  I generally agree that a positive culture lets people focus on their work. I don't agree that a negative outlook should automatically dismiss someone or their ideas. That's seriously crazy toxic. Some of the best work comes from frustration and it's totally worth it to dig into that resource when you have problems being swept under the rug by maliciously cheery people.
  - jvanderbot 4y ago
    It's not very HN to do this, but "whoosh"
    - vore 4y ago
      Judging from the commenter's other comment, maybe it's not that whooshy unless they're really committed to the bit: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33714952 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33714952
    - sublinear 4y ago
      > Please don't post comments saying that HN is turning into Reddit. It's a semi-noob illusion, as old as the hills. From the FAQ. I'm entirely aware what I was replying to may have been satire, but I don't care. What's it worth to you?
ihaveajob 4y ago
I went to Disneyland yesterday and I felt that way every time a staff member stopped to wave at us. Dystopian.
- rgrieselhuber 4y ago
  It’s like the uncanny valley.
mrmincent 4y ago
My god, I worked for a company that worked in the HR space and they really lived this to an extreme, and I’d say we lost an hour a day to forced laughs, forced jokes, and forced feel good moments. I’m pretty sure it’s what triggered an anxiety breakdown for me from having to pretend spending 6 hours a day dealing with broken backend systems and spreadsheets is sparking uncontrollable joy at all times.

I like to call this "toxic positivity". Forced cheeriness about the grind, the hustle, we're all in this together, etc. Better than negativity, but not by much.

dinosaurdynasty 4y ago

I'm not sure it's better than negativity to be honest. Honest negativity is at least honest.

FollowingTheDao 4y ago
Honesty, yes, that is what is missing. Why the moral judgments on positive or negative? They both have their place. It’s the moralizing of positive or negative that causes problems in society. And yes, I blame social media because advertisers love focusing on just the positive and not the negative.
- dinosaurdynasty 4y ago
  There's definitely some bad toxic negativity (that one British chef that goes crazy with expletives in American shows comes to mind). But "we can't express negativity whatsoever, we must express that everything is totally fine even when we're wading through shit" is its own kind of horrible.
deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
skeeter2020 4y ago
that's just a unconventional way of describing constructive criticism in my mind though, which can still be done in a positive way.
- dinosaurdynasty 4y ago
  Constructive criticism isn't toxic positivity. Toxic positivity is "all criticism is negative, therefore no criticism".
sidibe 4y ago
I've been on projects where I'm genuinely more pessimistic and negative than everyone else. I still think if it's not a project that I want to change or own or feel strongly against, it's my duty to not show that negativity. I won't pretend enthusiasm but I will at least fake positivity enough to try to make sure I don't infect the people around me if they are enthusiastic

sublinear 4y ago

I don't think it's "forced" cheeriness as much as an expectation that develops over time as the vast majority looks for a "life hack" and runs that river dry.

PradeetPatel 4y ago

Like many other tools utilised by powerful leaders/CEOs, mandatory positively, too, is a means to an end. An excolleague of mine was a "happiness engineer" at a FAANG-esque firm, we discussed the pros and cons of ensuring positive communication is demonstrated in all echelons of the business. We were delighted knowing that although discontent existed in some engineers, the mandatory happiness messaging prevented them from gaining any real traction and material support from the rest of the business, since that goes against the business culture. Thus, the problematic engineers could be dealt with and removed with minimal impact on the morale and reputation of the company.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
sublinear 4y ago
I generally agree that a positive culture lets people focus on their work. I don't agree that a negative outlook should automatically dismiss someone or their ideas. That's seriously crazy toxic. Some of the best work comes from frustration and it's totally worth it to dig into that resource when you have problems being swept under the rug by maliciously cheery people.
- jvanderbot 4y ago
  It's not very HN to do this, but "whoosh"
  - vore 4y ago
    Judging from the commenter's other comment, maybe it's not that whooshy unless they're really committed to the bit: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33714952 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33714952
  - sublinear 4y ago
    > Please don't post comments saying that HN is turning into Reddit. It's a semi-noob illusion, as old as the hills. From the FAQ. I'm entirely aware what I was replying to may have been satire, but I don't care. What's it worth to you?

ihaveajob 4y ago

I went to Disneyland yesterday and I felt that way every time a staff member stopped to wave at us. Dystopian.

rgrieselhuber 4y ago
It’s like the uncanny valley.

mrmincent 4y ago

My god, I worked for a company that worked in the HR space and they really lived this to an extreme, and I’d say we lost an hour a day to forced laughs, forced jokes, and forced feel good moments. I’m pretty sure it’s what triggered an anxiety breakdown for me from having to pretend spending 6 hours a day dealing with broken backend systems and spreadsheets is sparking uncontrollable joy at all times.