Blind optimism in the absence of supporting evidence is silly, yes, but maintaining no semblance of positive attitude is also silly. I think a large part of wh

Blind optimism in the absence of supporting evidence is silly, yes, but maintaining no semblance of positive attitude is also silly. I think a large part of why motivational speaking/writing is over the top is that, at most, people only take away and action a certain percentage of what they are told. So you need to give them 200% to get them to absorb 80%. To misquote 'if you think education is bad, you should try ignorance' : 'if you think positive attitude is bad, you should try a negative attitude'. It pays to be positive, but it also pays to fold and admit when you're wrong. I think it's the latter part many people are suffering from, not the former.