Becoming -- Cognifying -- Flowing -- Screening -- Accessing -- Sharing -- Filtering -- Remixing -- Interacting -- Tracking -- Questioning -- Beginning

The Case for Rational Optimism tackles a host of challenging subjects in an engaging, accessible, down-to-earth style. It is intellectually serious, ceaselessly intriguing, and devoid of banalities. While other books in this genre tend to be oriented toward self-help, this volume brings evolutionary biology, neuroscience, psychology, sociology, economics, and a keen sense of history to the topic. Robinson begins with three goals: making the case for feeling good about oneself, about humanity in general, and about the global situation. He addresses such seemingly disparate subjects as selfi shness versus altruism, mind and free will, human nature, and issues relating to economics, technology, the environment, and more. Unifying these ideas into a coherent philosophical whole are central concepts: evolution has endowed our species with more good qualities than bad, and why; those qualities, and our use of reason, are the foundations of civilization, and how; and, consistent with our nature, we make a better world by valuing human life therefore enabling others to fl ourish in ways they freely choose. The Case for Rational Optimism argues that the highly challenging conditions confronting early man created a Darwinian selective pressure for cooperation, even altruism, among members of a tribe. Th e author fi nds evidence for this in the way our brains work, and in observable human behavior. He argues against existential despair over the human condition. Even though there probably is no grand celestial design investing life with meaning, he considers this liberating, giving every person the freedom to craft their own meaning. To Robinson, whether sentient beings experience suff ering or joy is the only thing that matters; without emotive highs and lows, the Universe would hardly matter.

This is a book to inspire and strengthen your optimism. Helen Clark, former New Zealand Prime Minister and Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme says, "Good things happen when good people get together in common cause. More than 200 people have shared their wisdom and insights in this book 'The Case for Optimism: The Optimists' Voices.' Their views are fresh and sparkle off the pages."In "The Case for Optimism: The Optimists' Voices", 200 leaders share new and inspiring quotes, comments and affirmations to bring optimism to life and help guide you to greater optimism.At its simplest, optimism is a general expectation that good things will happen. According to recent Harvard health research, optimism may help you live longer. Optimism may also help you function better as a leader.Most of us are sick of turning on the news or opening a newspaper and being assailed with stories of disaster, mayhem and 24/7 criticism of our leaders. Victor Perton has written the "The Case for Optimism: The Optimists' Voices" to give voice to our yearning for a positive approach to leadership and life.Some quotes from the book:Steve Wozniak aka "The Woz", Co-founder, Apple Computer"H = S - F. Happiness = Smiles - Frowns. Find ways to smile and enjoy life, but don't frown. Don't argue. Don't let small things get to you. Just figure out the best path to move forward constructively. When you see pessimists, be glad that you are better with your optimism. Spread this thinking about optimism to young people. After about age 23 your personality is settled and you can't change it just with logical reasoning."Andrew Liveris, Chairman and CEO, The Dow Chemical Company: "In many cases, globalization and capitalism has been a force for good. At the same time, a substantial part of humanity has been left behind by growth that has been uneven and inequitable, creating a global environment marked by anger, violence, inequality, and divisiveness. Despite all of this, I remain as optimistic as ever. Today's world is abundant with opportunity to collaborate in new ways, creating positive change and solutions that protect the planet and provide hope to millions of people who feel that the world has forgotten them."Mick Farrell, CEO of Resmed: "Optimism is the triumph of hope over fear, of truth over deception, but it must be grounded in reality. Optimism without realism is just a dream; hope alone is not a strategy. Detailed planning of scenarios, laying out of plans towards an ambitious goal, and then inspiring a team to climb that hill together with passion and a mission greater than oneself - that combination is a sure path to success."Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever: "The future lies in the hands of the younger generation and that gives me huge cause for optimism. Wherever I go in the world, the young people I meet are engaged with the issues and challenges we face and focussed on finding solutions. Above all, they are driven by a deep sense of purpose. They may only represent 50% of today, but fortunately young people are 100% of tomorrow, and that is reason to celebrate".Chairman of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Denis Henry: "Optimism about the future and about the essential goodness in the majority of your community and workforce is the fuel for the certainty and commitment a leader needs."Professor Jane Burns: "People talk about tenacity and resilience and strength of character but it is optimism that drives behavior when on some days it would be easier to say "stop - I give up, it's too hard. Optimism is believing in the impossible and then taking the steps to make it possible."World Economic Forum's Bertrand Badr�: "Leadership must appropriately combine a harsh sense of reality with a dose of contagious optimism. It is about looking forward past the obstacles. Yes we can!"

Is civilization teetering on the edge of a cliff? Or are we just climbing higher than ever? Most people who read the news would tell you that 2017 is one of the worst years in recent memory. We're facing a series of deeply troubling, even existential problems: fascism, terrorism, environmental collapse, racial and economic inequality, and more. Yet this narrative misses something important: by almost every meaningful measure, the modern world is better than it ever has been. In the United States, disease, crime, discrimination, and most forms of pollution are in long-term decline, while longevity and education keep rising and economic indicators are better than in any past generation. Worldwide, malnutrition and extreme poverty are at historic lows, and the risk of dying by war or violence is the lowest in human history. It's not a coincidence that we're confused -- our perspectives on the world are blurred by the rise of social media, the machinations of politicians, and our own biases. Meanwhile, political reforms like the Clean Air Act and technological innovations like the hybridization of wheat have saved huge numbers of lives. In that optimistic spirit, Easterbrook offers specific policy reforms to address climate change, inequality, and other problems, and reminds us that there is real hope in conquering such challenges. In an age of discord and fear-mongering, It's Better Than It Looks will profoundly change your perspective on who we are, where we're headed, and what we're capable of.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The father of positive psychology draws on more than twenty years of clinical research to show you how to overcome depression, boost your immune system, and make yourself happier. "Vaulted me out of my funk.... So, fellow moderate pessimists, go buy this book." —The New York Times Book Review Offering many simple techniques anyone can practice, Dr. Seligman explains how to break an “I–give–up” habit, develop a more constructive explanatory style for interpreting your behavior, and experience the benefits of a more positive interior dialogue. With generous additional advice on how to encourage optimistic behavior at school, at work and in children, Learned Optimism is both profound and practical—and valuable for every phase of life.

Psychologists have long been aware that most people maintain an irrationally positive outlook on life—but why? Turns out, we might be hardwired that way. In this absorbing exploration, Tali Sharot—one of the most innovative neuroscientists at work today—demonstrates that optimism may be crucial to human existence. The Optimism Bias explores how the brain generates hope and what happens when it fails; how the brains of optimists and pessimists differ; why we are terrible at predicting what will make us happy; how emotions strengthen our ability to recollect; how anticipation and dread affect us; how our optimistic illusions affect our financial, professional, and emotional decisions; and more. Drawing on cutting-edge science, The Optimism Bias provides us with startling new insight into the workings of the brain and the major role that optimism plays in determining how we live our lives.