Psychologists, self-help books and life coaches want to teach Americans how to be more optimistic. But what exactly makes us think unsullied optimism is such a good idea anyway? Barbara Ehrenreich is the author of the forthcoming Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America she contests postive psychology in Time today Overrated Optimism: The Peril of Positive Thinking
