Years ago, people with the gift of “staying positive” while enduring difficult trials were considered bright lights. And the same can certainly be said today. Most of us enjoy being around “positive” people. We get that!
However, it seems that the trait of positivity is no longer utilized or seen in the same way. It is almost as if positivity is being utilized in an obscure way, expunging nearly all forms of conflict from society. When exactly did the meaning, definition, or understanding of positivity change?
Per current “on-line” dictionary sources, positivity has two definitions.
Positivity, in simplest terms, is the quality or state of being positive.
Our team decided to do the unthinkable and review definitions of the word “positive” in some old, archaic, hard copy dictionary copies. God forbid we use physical books to gain wisdom, right? This definition for the word “positive” comes from Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary copyright 1956.
2 Concerned with matters of practical experience; not speculative or theoretical. 3. Independent of changing circumstances or relations - opposed to relative and comparative ; as the idea of beauty is not positive. 4a Confident ; certain ; sometimes overconfident ; dogmatic. b Characterized by acceptance or approval; affirmative; as a positive reply.
10 Math. Physics, etc. a. Numerically greater than zero; plus. b. Reckoned or proceeding in a direction arbitrarily or conventionally taken as that of increase, onward motion, or the like.
Should you wish to join the geek squad at The Fruited Plain and fixate on more dictionary definitions, you can access the full definition of the word “positive” here.
Gallup/Clifton Strengthsfinder defines a person who possesses positivity as a trait as having contagious enthusiasm.
For those unfamiliar, the Gallup/CliftonStrengths online talent assessment is utilized to identify the top 3-7 strengths of an individual. Companies utilize these assessments to match people to positions. If an organization needs a really positive sales manager to lead a team of sales representatives, the human resources manager might search for candidates with positivity listed as one of their top 5 strengths.
Gallup/CliftonStrengths assessement goes on to suggest that positivity can be “helpful” in these circumstances.
On the flip side, here is how Gallup/CliftonStrengths talent assessment describes “positivity” serving as a hindrance.
The Gallup/CliftonStrengths talent assessment makes a valid point that positivity can be a REAL hindrance at times. Yes, unbridled positivity can cause harm. Have we forgotten that even a person’s greatest strength can also be their greatest weakness at times? Has it not been stated that a person’s greatest strength is often their greatest weakness?
Ask yourself this question. Has positivity been redefined in a way that forces everyone to simply comply and never voice a dissenting opinion? When confronted with a negative topic, are people expected to turn away and just remain positive? Or stated differently….despite learning troubling facts and seeing all kinds of dangerous things that conjure up negative feelings and emotions, are people required to ignore all of these signals and just “stay positive?”
Our team is starting to see more and more instances of positivity being utilized errantly or even weaponized. This trend is preventing society (corporations, small businesses, nonprofits, schools, and other groups/organizations) from having difficult conversations.
Plainly stated, positivity has been weaponized through groupthink.
While most people are eagerly craving to be seen as a positive person, they also gravely fear being seen as a negative person. The blunt reality is that a society steeped in “positivity” and groupthink may quite literally be incapable of dealing with difficult problems, hoping instead that all problems will miraculously just go away.
How have Americans responded to the plethora of facts clearly showing that our elections are rigged? Most have responded with a statement like this. “I am just trying to stay positive,” pretending that their vote will actually count in 2024.
And what has happened to those dissenting voices, like Robert Borer, who has been shining the light on EVM election fraud in the state of Nebraska for months now? He has basically been ignored and the Nebraska SOS office recently blocked him on X/Twitter. Why? His “negative” voice was apparently getting a little too loud.
Think about that for a minute. The NE SOS office has chosen to silence the voice of a US citizen for raising valid claims about elections, all backed by facts.
Our society has shifted into a dangerous place where those expressing dissenting opinions are casually blocked on social media channels. All dissenting voices are being silenced under the guise of “keeping things positive.”
Positivity was never meant to be a mindset that refuses to deal with “bad” news or block/cancel voices that disagree. FORCED positivity leads to a stagnant, voiceless society. In essence, our societal worship of positivity has thwarted all conversations involving negative subjects. This phenomena can be seen throughout nearly all aspects of our culture.
What has the response been from Americans who are well aware of the facts surrounding the Biden crime family? What has the US MSM taught us to do? Laugh it off…..consider it all petty nonsense…..and just remain “positive” as this alleged cloud will pass over our nation and be gone soon. Ignore it all, consume more entertainment to take your mind off of these things, keep smiling, and just move on!
How has the medical community responded to the VAERS data showing that the COVID-19 mRNA “vaccines” have caused more adverse events/deaths than any and all other vaccines combined? And why does this “bad” news continue to go unreported?
It would certainly appear that most medical groups have decided to ignore this “bad” news and pretend it does not exist. In essence, they have decided to “remain positive” and label any dissenting voices as conspiracy theorists. Yet, the data is their own data. Meanwhile, Japan has apparently decided to ban the mRNA “vaccines” due to the increasing number of deaths. Of course, when you live in the wide world of censorship, this story and other reporting the same have been “fact checked” and deemed false.
Plainly stated, positivity has been weaponized through groupthink.
More brazenly, not all things about positivity are always positive.
Quite true - particularly at the Douglas County Board and Omaha City Council! They have structured their Agendas and rules to maximize the restriction of and denial of your Constitution rigths, and under the Ne Statutes re: the OPEN MEETINGS ACT, and ",,,your right, your duty to...." via peaceful means, with "LAWFAIR", "Crowd Speak", "Groupthink" and "unreasonable rules", particularly the refusal to engage a citizen in a two way conversation. The can if they choose too, but like to make comments - after the citizen leaves the Podium! And "Roberts Rules" are mostly back seat to "Parliamentary" rules! No longer do they have a max of 5 minutes for "Citizen comments" for issues NOT on their Agenda, that relate to Governance"! Recently removed - as was reports on their lobbying activities at the State and Federal levels, that work against us in favor of leftist, MARXIST Groupthink propaganda!