In the bestselling tradition of Steven Pinker’s Enlightenment Now and Yuval Noah Harari’s Homo Deus, an engaging and interdisciplinary look at the history, philosophy, and psychology of optimism, and why being optimistic is a moral obligation—even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

THE BRIGHT SIDE:
Why Optimists Have the Power to Change the World
by Sumit Paul-Choudhury
Canongate, January 2025
(via Randle Editorial & Literary)

Scrolling through our daily newsfeeds we see war, political unrest, the swift rise of artificial intelligence, and a looming climate crisis – just a few of the tragedies fostering pessimism. So, in the face of such glum events, how do we stay optimistic? And, more important, why should we?

In THE BRIGHT SIDE, Sumit Paul-Choudhury tackles these pressing questions, arguing that optimism is not only essential for overcoming the obstacles ahead but also fundamental to human resilience and progress. Drawing on a wide array of evidence across diverse fields, Paul-Choudhury delves into the underappreciated philosophical roots of optimism, examines its impact on mental health and professional success, and discusses how an optimistic outlook supports a scientific and rational world view.

Beyond theoretical discussions, THE BRIGHT SIDE shows how we can apply the principles of optimism to address complex challenges, particularly the environmental crisis. Through visits to innovative projects like the futuristic LINE city in Saudi Arabia, the Faslane Peace Camp in Scotland, initiatives related to the New Green Deal, and anecdotes covering everything from Ernest Shackleton to Bitcoin mania, the book illustrates optimism in action.

A salve for dark times, THE BRIGHT SIDE is a lens through which we can identify and solve the problems we face and create a better future for ourselves and generations to come.

Sumit Paul-Choudhury writes, thinks, and dreams about science, technology, and the future. He is the former Editor-in-Chief of New Scientist, a trained astrophysicist, and a former business journalist covering financial engineering and technology. Currently, he devotes most of his time to his creative studio Alternity, developing speculative histories and social experiments. A Sloan Fellow at London Business School and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, he lives, works, and problem solves in London with his wife and young twins.