Thank God for Stupitidy...I mean... differing viewpoints

Leave it to Canadian scientists to offer a silly conclusion to a psychological experiment. They found that positive thinking may actually be harmful to some people with low self-esteem. Now, I don't know if these researchers were psychologists or what, but whatever they are, they missed the boat (to put it mildly).

As it's being reported, the researchers wrote that "From at least as far back as Norman Vincent Peale's "The Power of Positive Thinking" (1952), the media have advocated saying favorable things to oneself." Does anybody else catch that? The media have advocated, they say. In other words, forget about the experiences, the evidence, the history, and alas, other studies that have shown the benefits of positive thinking. What's important here is what the media has to say about it! (Yes, I'm being sarcastic).

Ok, let me get serious, then. The fallacy in the design of this study (IMHO) is that repeating statements that are contrary to well-entrenched subconscious programming is just simply lying to oneself. This has been known for quite a while. You cannot lie to yourself, and change your subconscious beliefs. Period. Changing your subconscious programming involves choosing a different belief and expressing that choice, then reinforcing your new choice with repetition, faith, detachment, and gratitude. If you have low self-esteem, the way to raise your self-esteem will involve a little more effort than just repeating positive statements in front of the mirror.

Changing your dominant thoughts, your beliefs, is a well-researched topic with tons of testimonials from people who have learned to "speak subconscious." The topic is too long and involved for me to explore in this blog.

So, it appears these Canadians proved that lying is bad (especially to oneself), and that it will probably make you feel worse. I find it peculiar that someone paid these guys to find evidence in support of a well-known fact. I mean, even God wrote in stone: Thou shalt not lie... or something to that effect. What are they going to study next? The viscosity of ketchup? Oh wait, somebody did that one already. I'm serious, look it up!