Damm Interesting

TheMercenary · 06-12-2009, 09:44 PM

I couldn't find the old thread with the post from the former Cellar member. But this is a great post from his website:

The Total Perspective Vortex

Most people think of the "mentally disordered" as a delusional lot, holding bizarre and irrational ideas about themselves and the world around them. Isn’t a mental disorder, after all, an impairment or a distortion in thought or perception? This is what we tend to think, and for most of modern psychology's history, the experts have agreed; realistic perceptions have been considered essential to good mental health. More recently, however, research has arisen that challenges this common-sense notion.

In 1988, psychologists Shelly Taylor and Jonathon Brown published an article making the somewhat disturbing claim that positive self-deception is a normal and beneficial part of most people’s everyday outlook. They suggested that average people hold cognitive biases in three key areas: a) viewing themselves in unrealistically positive terms; b) believing they have more control over their environment than they actually do; and c) holding views about the future that are more positive than the evidence can justify. The typical person, it seems, depends on these happy delusions for the self-esteem needed to function through a normal day. It’s when the fantasies start to unravel that problems arise.

continues:

http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=864#more-864

ZenGum · 06-12-2009, 10:00 PM

Seems like a thorough and fancy way of saying, the pessimist is more often correct, but the optimist is more often happy and successful.

dar512 · 06-12-2009, 11:46 PM

Elwood P. Dowd: Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" - she always called me Elwood - "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-13-2009, 05:06 AM

Elwood is right, being obviously smart makes people envious and you a target.
Being pleasant puts people at ease.

then you can steal their wallet.

TGRR · 06-15-2009, 09:33 PM

DanaC · 06-15-2009, 09:42 PM

That's a fantastic picture.

TGRR · 06-15-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC

That's a fantastic picture.

It's too bad HIMEOBS doesn't exist. That looks like a sweet ride.

classicman · 06-15-2009, 09:47 PM

irritating.. thats #10

TGRR · 06-15-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman

irritating.. thats #10

In a series of about 400.

busterb · 06-16-2009, 02:54 PM

That would be from Hot pastrami's site. Right??

06-12-2009, 10:00 PM	#2
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Seems like a thorough and fancy way of saying, the pessimist is more often correct, but the optimist is more often happy and successful. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

06-12-2009, 11:46 PM	#3
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	Elwood P. Dowd: Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" - she always called me Elwood - "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

06-13-2009, 05:06 AM	#4
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Elwood is right, being obviously smart makes people envious and you a target. Being pleasant puts people at ease. then you can steal their wallet. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-15-2009, 09:33 PM	#5
TGRR Horrible Bastard Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: High Desert, Arizona Posts: 1,103	__________________ What can we do to help you stop screaming?

06-15-2009, 09:47 PM	#8
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	irritating.. thats #10 __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

06-12-2009, 09:44 PM	#1
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Damm Interesting I couldn't find the old thread with the post from the former Cellar member. But this is a great post from his website: The Total Perspective Vortex Most people think of the "mentally disordered" as a delusional lot, holding bizarre and irrational ideas about themselves and the world around them. Isn’t a mental disorder, after all, an impairment or a distortion in thought or perception? This is what we tend to think, and for most of modern psychology's history, the experts have agreed; realistic perceptions have been considered essential to good mental health. More recently, however, research has arisen that challenges this common-sense notion. In 1988, psychologists Shelly Taylor and Jonathon Brown published an article making the somewhat disturbing claim that positive self-deception is a normal and beneficial part of most people’s everyday outlook. They suggested that average people hold cognitive biases in three key areas: a) viewing themselves in unrealistically positive terms; b) believing they have more control over their environment than they actually do; and c) holding views about the future that are more positive than the evidence can justify. The typical person, it seems, depends on these happy delusions for the self-esteem needed to function through a normal day. It’s when the fantasies start to unravel that problems arise. continues: http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=864#more-864 __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

06-16-2009, 02:54 PM	#10
busterb NSABFD Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MS. usa Posts: 3,908	That would be from Hot pastrami's site. Right?? __________________ I've haven't left very deep footprints in the sands of time. But, boy I've left a bunch.

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