Ethical Matters:
Why Optimism Wins

What does Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition have in common with the chicken that crossed the road? Or James Baldwin’s campaign for civil rights with the development of AI? Or even Crossrail with George Bush’s ‘mission accomplished’?

Optimism, irrational though it might seem, is central to the human psyche: it appears to provide us with an advantage both in everyday life and in the evolutionary race.

In his book The Bright Side, Sumit Paul-Choudhury makes a vital and transformative argument: that optimism is not only the natural state of humanity but an essential one. Without optimism, we would never have survived the unpredictable – and often hostile – world we evolved into. Yet optimism is not reserved for moments of extremity. Its benefits manifest throughout our everyday lives: in our relationships, careers, bodies, and minds. It will also play a critical role in overcoming the challenges of the twenty-first century.

Sumit is an astrophysicist-turned-journalist, former editor-in-chief of New Scientist magazine, and has served as a judge for the Baillie Gifford Prize (formerly the Samuel Johnson Prize), the Wellcome Prize, and the Costa Book Awards.

The Bright Side is Sumit’s first book, and will be available to buy in person from Newham Bookshop on the day.

Age Recommendation:

16+

Price: *All ticket prices below include a £1 booking fee*

In person: Standard £10 • Living Support £7 • Students £7 • Members FREE
Online: Standard £7 • Members FREE

Access Information

Due to the age and Grade II listing of the building, there is no lift access to rooms above the ground floor.

All the ground-floor rooms are fully accessible by wheelchair. Main Hall (street access, step-free), Brockway Room (street access, step-free), Bertrand Russell Room (street access, shallow ramp), Hive Cafe (street access, step-free). There is also an accessible toilet on the ground floor opposite the Brockway Room.