The Smoke Detector Principle

We're prone to negativity, but that is because we're designed to be sensitive to threats. False alarms are a "feature, not a bug, of our threat-defense system."

Sometimes, we might detect threats where none exist, but that is only because we're sensitive enough to detect real threats—just like a smoke detector. 

We need to be aware of this tendency, as this "negativity bias" can undermine our ability to be hopeful and proactive. If we confuse these feelings for wisdom and let them dominate our culture and workplaces, we'll miss out on many opportunities.