written by art historian & curator Mihaela Manolche
Negative thinking has emerged as one of the most pervasive vices of modern society, a feature with long-lasting effects on our psychological evolution. While the pressure to succeed and the ever-increasing demands of life have long existed, the rise of social media, the constant comparison, and the relentless bombardment of negative news happening worldwide have amplified the tendency to dwell on the negative. This shift in mindset has not only taken a toll on individual well-being but has also impacted culture at large, shaping societal attitudes and behaviours in profound ways.
We are surrounded by many people who often experience negative events in their personal and professional lives. However, instead of being treated as isolated episodes, it seems that negativity slowly makes more space in people’s thinking at a subconscious level, becoming a behavior with time. Whether it is breaking news or alerts on our phones, everything that holds a strong emotional component tends to draw our attention more than others, making us speak more and more about it with everyone. And not necessarily in a constructive way. Thus, can we consider negative thinking as the new vice? Is this item specific to our contemporary society? Why has negativity emerged so rapidly, and is it ”contagious”?
