Frequently, you’ll hear someone say: “And if that doesn’t work — we’ll proceed to Plan B.” But isn’t this simply preparing for failure? Fear that Plan A won’t work. Fear that something may go wrong. When other people sense that you doubt your course, they, too, become afraid. Imagine you’re a passenger in an […]
Nurses are there for you in times like these. They have big hearts, and don’t judge questionable behavior, but instead provide care and comfort, even if it’s the result of a mistake on your part. It turns out that this celebration of caregivers begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th — […]
Not long ago in human history, it was easy to find peace and quiet just by wandering outside in the middle of the night and gazing up at the stars. It was quiet. It was peaceful. And because there was no such thing as light pollution, you could see them clearly. Now, whether it’s mass […]
Everybody knows that Batman was a crimefighter who relied on a gaggle of gadgets to battle the ne’er do wells of Gotham City. They were all contained in a belt around his waist, and gave him unique powers that upped his mortal capabilities to that of a superhuman. Yet the caped crusader didn’t always have […]
Modern homo sapiens first walked the Earth about 50,000 years ago. Since then, more than 108 billion members of our species have been born. Which means 101 billion have already croaked, kicked the bucket, or bitten the dust.* You will too. Does that scare you? It shouldn’t. Why do we fear death? Mainly for selfish […]
Today the SuperOptimist turns 141.* (Not in years, but in columns placed on the world wide web.) Naturally, this is cause for revelry, so we’d like to invite you to join us as we dig in to a generous slice of our favorite pie. At the same time, we pause to reflect on the great […]
Another week, another 168 hours stuck in the same confines. And the end is not yet in sight: While hope reigns supreme, some experts believe this period of social distancing will last for months. A human being can’t be faulted for experiencing a sense of restlessness, even claustrophobia, as one turn of the clock bleeds […]
Note: Over the next few weeks, The SuperOptimist will be providing a series of experiments one can conduct on themselves at home. They are designed for the curious, the seekers of experience, and those who wish to pass the time in novel and thought-provoking ways. While biding your time in your own personal quarantine, the […]
Note: Over the next few weeks, The SuperOptimist will be providing a series of experiments one can conduct on themselves at home. They are designed for the curious, the seekers of experience, and those who wish to pass the time in novel and thought-provoking ways. A great way to escape the constant onslaught of news […]
Feeling jaded? Stuck in a rut? Bemoaning a lack of interesting stimuli? This could be just the break you’re looking for. Studies have shown that people who are easily bored are constantly looking for new ways to fight the boredom, and that makes them more likely to turn to risky behaviors in an attempt to […]