Тонкое искусство пофигизма

           Manyresearchersandpolicymakersatthetimecametobelievethatraisingapopulation’sself-esteemcouldleadtosometangiblesocialbenefits:lowercrime,betteracademicrecords,greateremployment,lowerbudgetdeficits.Asaresult,beginninginthenextdecade,the1970s,self-esteempracticesbegantobetaughttoparents,emphasizedbytherapists,politicians,andteachers,andinstitutedintoeducationalpolicy.Gradeinflation,forexample,wasimplementedtomakelow-achievingkidsfeelbetterabouttheirlackofachievement.Participationawardsandbogustrophieswereinventedforanynumberofmundaneandexpectedactivities.Kidsweregiveninanehomeworkassignments,likewritingdownallthereasonswhytheythoughttheywerespecial,orthefivethingstheylikedmostaboutthemselves.PastorsandministerstoldtheircongregationsthattheywereeachuniquelyspecialinGod’seyes,andweredestinedtoexcelandnotbeaverage.Businessandmotivationalseminarscroppedupchantingthesameparadoxicalmantra:everysingleoneofuscanbeexceptionalandmassivelysuccessful.

           Butit’sagenerationlaterandthedataisin:we’renotallexceptional.Itturnsoutthatmerelyfeelinggoodaboutyourselfdoesn’treallymeananythingunlessyouhaveagoodreasontofeelgoodaboutyourself.Itturnsoutthatadversityandfailureareactuallyusefulandevennecessaryfordevelopingstrong-mindedandsuccessfuladults.