Ode's Purpose

 

The word ode means tribute or song of praise. Ode is the same word with the same meaning in many languages “English, Dutch, Italian, French, German and Portuguese, among others. It is an ancient Greek word that has found its way into most modern European languages.

We chose the word for the title of our magazine over 15 years ago precisely because it is such an international word with a positive meaning. Yes, it is an old-fashioned word “ancient Greek, what else do you expect?“ and this magazine has never published much poetry. Yet ode very well captures the optimistic spirit that we celebrate.

The challenging times in which we live seem to require more optimism than ever. It's easy to be an optimist when things are going fine (and that makes it all the more surprising that so many people find reasons to be pessimistic in 'normal' times). The good news is that more and more psychologists agree that optimism is a quality that anyone can learn in every circumstance.

True optimism isn't about denying reality against our better judgment. The pilot in the cockpit deciding whether to de-ice the plane one more time doesn't need optimism. Nor does the partygoer deciding whether to drive home after drinking.

That's why we dedicate Ode to 'intelligent optimists'.

The intelligent optimist knows that a glass that's half empty is also half full. And she knows that much can be gained as she focuses on whatever she has and not on whatever she's missing. You learn to become optimistic by concentrating on things that give you a sense of satisfaction, and you remain an optimist by feeding those things to make them grow.

Intelligent optimists also know that for every problem there is (at least the beginning of) a solution and that the search for that solution can be inspirational in itself. At the same time they are not afraid of negative thoughts, which they realize offer some protection and help them stay realistic.

Especially in challenging times we need to focus on whatever (still) works, give that our attention, make it stronger and build a new success. We need to celebrate the people and environments that help bring meaning and joy to our lives.

 

Every era has had its own preachers of doom and impending doom scenarios. Around 1880, a group of entrepreneurs and scientists gathered in Paris to discuss the future. The question was what the French capital would look like in 50 years. The conclusion was dark: With continued growth of the population and the economy, these French visionaries foresaw that the Parisian avenues would be buried under several feet of horse manure. But in 1903, Henry Ford began building his car plant and in 1908 he launched the Model T. And Paris has never experienced the horrific horse manure scenario.

The horse carriages were not replaced little by little by the automobile. And the advances of television, the Internet, and mobile phones were never gradual. You do not have to be a prophet to predict that the clean energy revolution will surprise the world in the same way. The following quotes should silence the widespread pessimism about the future:

'The abdomen, the chest and the brain will forever be shut from the intrusion of the wise and    humane surgeon.'
'”Sir John Eric Ericson, Surgeon to Queen Victoria, 1873

'Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.'
—Lord Kelvin, mathematician and physicist, 1895

'There is not the slightest indication that [nuclear energy] will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be shattered at will.'
'Albert Einstein, 1932

'There is no hope for the fanciful idea of reaching the Moon because of insurmountable barriers to escaping the Earth's gravity.'
'”Forest Ray Moulton, astronomer, 1932

'Television won’t be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night.'
'”Darryl F. Zanuck, Head of 20th Century-Fox, 1946

'There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in their home.'
'”Ken Olson, President of Digital Corporation, 1977

The human race is a 'collective problem-solving machine, writes the British biologist Matt Ridley in his recent book The Rational Optimist. Nobody knows now how and by whom we are going to be saved from the impending explosive growth of Chinese CO2-spewing, coal-fired energy plants.

But if history is any guide the inventors with radical innovative solutions are already living somewhere on the planet. Not decades but years from now a coal-fired energy plant will be a hopelessly old-fashioned solution, much like the computer that some 40 years ago occupied the entire basement of an office building.

Subscribe to Ode to read and, through links to our digital content, hear and see some of the people and organizations who may well be among these awesome inventors.  You'll also find how inspiring people are showing us how a shift in our habits and perception can bring more meaning, joy and optimism. Come smile, laugh and cry with us and others!