Science says stop complaining

[qcrisp]

Okay, just remember I'm not the one who's neuroscientifically deterministic. I just wondered what other TLOers make of this kind of thing:

http://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/...ence-says.html

(Really can't say how much I hate that perky, finger-wagging little phrase "according to science".)

[qcrisp]

I mean, honestly, think about this. If people really start believing this stuff (not so far-fetched considering the way education has been eroded and all views other than biological determinism are falling by the wayside), then 'being negative' could become like being a smoker.

Quote

One, not only does expressing negativity tend not to make us feel better, it's also catching, making listeners feel worse. "People don't break wind in elevators more than they have to. Venting anger is...similar to emotional farting in a closed area. It sounds like a good idea, but it's dead wrong," psychologist Jeffrey Lohr, who has studied venting, memorably explained.

"Jesus, they've cut my welfare - a fault in administration but they won't listen to me."

"Hey, buddy, haven't you heard of passive negativity? All that negative energy you're putting out, isn't only harming you. If you don't lighten up right now, I'm going to report you."

Was there a Twilight Zone episode like this?

On a side note, I think there should be a cartoon series in the style of 'Love Is':

http://www.comicstripnation.com/love...923cplis-a.jpg

But with the title 'Science Says' instead. E.G:

Science says... Be shallow!
Science says... Abandon melancholy friends!
Science says... If endorphins are released, it isn't rape!

Etc.

Quote Originally Posted by qcrisp

Science says... If endorphins are released, it isn't rape!

I'm not aware of any papers that claim this. I've only heard this type of rhetoric from evangelicals and anti-feminist types, typically used to argue against bodily autonomy (i.e. if the rape was legitimate the body would have "shut down") and to dispute the legitimacy of rape charges/apologize for rape (not rape, just bad sex, etc.)
If you have the title or link to any of these papers I'd greatly appreciate it.

[qcrisp]

Quote Originally Posted by Nirvana In Karma

Quote Originally Posted by qcrisp Science says... If endorphins are released, it isn't rape! I'm not aware of any papers that claim this. I've only heard this type of rhetoric from evangelicals and anti-feminist types, typically used to argue against bodily autonomy (i.e. if the rape was legitimate the body would have "shut down") and to dispute the legitimacy of rape charges/apologize for rape (not rape, just bad sex, etc.) If you have the title or link to any of these papers I'd greatly appreciate it.

I don't think I mentioned papers.

I was just riffing on the kind of biological determinism in the article of the original post.

Quote Originally Posted by qcrisp

Quote Originally Posted by Nirvana In Karma Quote Originally Posted by qcrisp Science says... If endorphins are released, it isn't rape! I'm not aware of any papers that claim this. I've only heard this type of rhetoric from evangelicals and anti-feminist types, typically used to argue against bodily autonomy (i.e. if the rape was legitimate the body would have "shut down") and to dispute the legitimacy of rape charges/apologize for rape (not rape, just bad sex, etc.) If you have the title or link to any of these papers I'd greatly appreciate it. I don't think I mentioned papers. I was just riffing on the kind of biological determinism in the article of the original post.

All right, thank you for the clarification.

[gveranon]

With this kind of thing, it's usually possible to fight fire with fire, fight pop-science with pop-science:

The Positive Power Of Negative Thinking: Julie Norem: 9780465051397: Amazon.com: Books

 

The Positive Power Of Negative Thinking: Julie Norem: 9780465051397: Amazon.com: Books

The Science of Motivation and the Pitfalls of Positive Thinking, a Big Think Mentor Workshop - YouTube

Why Haters May Be Better at Their Jobs | Psych Central News


Of course, pointing out contrary studies won't work because this kind of pop-science triumphalism isn't actually about empiricism at all. It's about people with conventional opinions cherry-picking research that strokes their prejudices and gives them ammunition to impose their will on everyone else. But I'm only saying that because I'm negative.

[teguififthzeal]

This is part of the reason I can't stand science oftentimes. It leads to this demented rainbow positivism

[Cnev]

Quote Originally Posted by teguififthzeal

This is part of the reason I can't stand science oftentimes. It leads to this demented rainbow positivism

I agree with this, and whether justified or not it absolutely infuriates me. Being a human being and having to deal with the plethora of emotions and thoughts we do is challenging enough territory to navigate. But telling people they shouldn't feel or think certain things because "science" said so is furthering the confusion and is, in my opinion, cruel and inhuman to those already dealing with mental or emotional issues. Stuff like this has the possibility of really doing damage to a person given the growing amount of authority people seem to be granting "science" these days.

[teguififthzeal]

I accept evolution as fact and theory and I've read Darwin's work. The culture of science has always just been sort of abhorrent to me. Especially the fluff philosophers and populists around the edges.

[qcrisp]

Quote Originally Posted by teguififthzeal

I accept evolution as fact and theory and I've read Darwin's work. The culture of science has always just been sort of abhorrent to me. Especially the fluff philosophers and populists around the edges.

Oddly enough(?), this is pretty much how I feel. Out of intrinsic interest, and shamed into it by the assertions of C.P. Snow, I'm reading up on the laws of thermodynamics at present. (I realise I now need to go back and brush up on algebra and read it again, but anyway...) I'm finding it pretty interesting, etc.

However, as soon as scientists depart from this textbook kind of stuff and begin to speak more casually, I'm surprised by how often I feel a real, deep visceral repulsion at some underlying value system that is not itself science but is prevalent among scientists.

No doubt it's because we have different brain types.