The Martian: Resilience Rocks!

The Martian, starring Matt Damon, an epic sci-fi adventure about a gritty, wisecracking protagonist who defied the odds and got rescued from the red planet after he “science(d) the shit” out of his predicament. There’s fixation on the science, technology, and space cred of the book and the movie in all the reviews that are still forthcoming, naturally, because the writer and protagonist point you in that direction and hold you there throughout the story. But there’s more depth to this coming back from the grave epic.

Just about everyone in the science-space-tech community have endorsed the movie which inexorably brought the book to mainsteam, including our affable Astrophysicist extraordinaire and Director of the Hayden Planetarium, Dr. Neil Tyson. Known for checking the cosmological integrity of films that might escape the science illiterate eye--like recently applauding Trevor Noah for correcting the rotational direction of the Earth in the opening credits of The Daily Show--Dr. Tyson articled his approval of The Martian’s science in a series of tweets. No novelty there, except for one little dig at God, as Dr. Tyson is wont to do.  Others do it to appear science literate without the same camraderie.

Image via projectcasting.com

At first the obvious dig could have been dismissed as a one might ignore a deliberate mock or poked fun. Viewed as Dr. Tyson’s strategic and social media savvy style of stirring up interest on a topic that had been covered ad infinitum, it became what seems like a teacher’s boon to get the nerdy kid with knowledge on a topic that had not yet been covered to speak up. In contrast to emphasis on the tech and aerospace science of The Martian, the tale is at it’s core one of resilience, pure human grit and ingenuity. We explore this view in this discourse.

The indomitable protagonist of The Martian, Mark Watney, sets the tone of the story when he says he’ll just have to “science the shit out of this,” meaning the very complex and daunting engineering tasks of survival and rescue. Resilience, however, wins the Best Supporting Actor in the story, because without it, that statement would never have been uttered. As Watney himself stated in his assessment there was a cache of drugs that could be taken in lethal dose which would have made the book and the movie simply an interesting short on how to take a pharmacological exit when in the most dire straits. 

Image via slate.com

This is not to say resilience is not science. It is often that the physical sciences will dismiss or consider metaphysical science as an after thought. We generally forget that the scientific method, science, grew out of metaphysics, philosophy. Likewise, in the scheme of who gets to become an astronaut and actually get selected to go into space,  STEM may be prerequisite, but resilience is also a strong factor of consideration. Consider that presently six people are housed in a habitat on a volcano in Hawaii for research on long duration effects of isolation and interpersonal relations as might be expected in the Journey to Mars.

Image source: Center For Resilient Children

On the science of resilience let’s begin by teasing the phenomenon with a few words: devastation, destruction, adaptation, competent functioning, resourcefulness, realistic plans, follow through, confidence, strengths, abilities, communication, problem-solving, skills, manage, progress, failure, conscientiousness, experience and learning, sense of control, flexibility, effective risk, restructuring demanding situations. Without context, these terms could easily apply to any field of performance management. Not surprising, resilience factors are highly correlated with the Big 5 personality characteristics.

Image source via Internet

Wikipedia offers a comprehensive, objective definition of resilience:

Resilience is generally thought of as a "positive adaptation" after a stressful or adverse situation…"resilience research is focused on studying those who engage in life with hope and humor despite devastating losses". It is important to note that resilience is not only about overcoming a deeply stressful situation, but also coming out of the said situation with "competent functioning". Resiliency allows a person to rebound from adversity as a strengthened and more resourceful person.

Psychology Today defines Resilience (as)-- 

that ineffable quality that allows some people to be knocked down by life and come back stronger than ever. Rather than letting failure overcome them and drain their resolve, they find a way to rise from the ashes…Even after misfortune, resilient people are blessed with such an outlook that they are able to change course and soldier on.

Wikipedia notes also, "Resilience" occurs when there are cumulative "protective factors"… These factors are not necessarily inherited; they can be developed in any individual and they promote resilience.”

Image Source: Center For Resilient Children

What are these “protective factors” and how do we recognize them? The factors that promote and demonstrate resilience can be summed up in two umbrella traits and processes: positivity and grit. 

Positivity includes having a healthy self-esteem and self-confidence in one’s strengths, abilities, and worth, an optimistic outlook and self-regulation. Positivity not only buffers the onslaught of negative reactions when facing catastrophic and difficult circumstances, Wikipedia notes, “it also facilitates adaptive coping, builds enduring social resources, and increases personal well-being.”

Watney is profiled as having an adaptive sense of humor, his wisecracking personality is his stress-response, the more stressful the situation, the more jokes are forthcoming. Neither bombastic or snarky, rather, his humor aims to ease tensions allowing for clarity and flexibility in restructuring the demands of the situation for greater effectiveness in assessing risks and resources. It’s the difference between seeing the existential absurdity of racking up a record number of “firsts” on Mars that he might not outlive versus being seen as an overweening blowhard with a hero complex obsessed with making history. So yes, even the irreverent flashcard showing emoji breasts when told he was on live communications is calculated in keeping things in perspective.

Beyond the sense of humor is Watney’s epic optimism. Faster than IBM’s Watson (Watney, Watson, smh) Watney takes stock of his situation from the immediacy of repairing his compromised space suit and injured body to his chances of getting off the planet, and then connecting the dots for getting from point A (staying alive) to point B (getting off Mars and back to Earth). He had no children or beloved spouse to drive his will to live, just pure, intrinsic self-worth, odds calculation, and can-do attitude. If we are looking for a modern concept of God to replace the traditional patriarchal model, this could be it, one in which a seamless, transparent inner relationship allows us to instanteously visualize the options and having the firm drive to “make it so.” We find evidence of this in the Christian Bible:

Now faith is [the] substantiating (realistic assessment) of things hoped for, [the] conviction (trust) of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1, Darby Bible Translation)

Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1, Weymouth Bible Translation)

Image source via Internet

Parabola’s Terry Cochran references this evolved concept of God, a connection to a vaster quantum universe beyond the finite individual:

“ you may find that something else is quietly happening when we face obstacles.  Under the mind that is freaking out or shutting down, we may find another mind, a vastly more quiet and responsive mind. And within the body that ordinarily seems so limited, so lacking in energy or strength or beauty, we may find a doorway to another body—an inner body of sensitivity and intuition that feels as vast and wise as the earth (the body is of the earth)…It is often in the midst of big trouble that we discover that the universe is responsive if we are…It turns out that faith is a willingness to let go of our ideas and see what is…(aka getting out of your own way.)

Are we veering off topic? No. Psychological studies have shown that faith is an ultimate protective factor when all else seems hopeless. 

Positivity is just the beginning with resilience; optimism must be backed with ability, determination and sustained effort. Picture the setbacks that could have overwhelmed Watney in the midst of isolation and you get the point. ‘Can’t stop; won’t stop’ is the dyed in the wool mantra of the other overarching factor in resilience, grit. 

"Prior to launching into space it pays to say goodbye to the 

comforting “prepared-for-anything-feeling”. But honestly,

the 20% of unknown is what I am most looking forward to!"

~ESA/NASA Astronaut Alexander Gerst (l.), pictured with

Russian Cosmonaut Makc Suraev (c.), and NASA Astronaut

Reid Wiseman (r.) preparing to launch to International Space

Station, Expedition 40/41.

Wikipedia defines grit as, 

 …the perseverance and passion for long-term goals. This is characterized as working persistently towards challenges, maintained effort and interest over years despite negative feedback, adversity, plateaus in progress, or failure.

Grit also explains why the pharmacological exit took no precedence with Watney--

Grit may also serve as a protective factor against suicide. A study at Stanford University found that grit was predictive of psychological health and well-being in medical residents.] Gritty individuals possess self-control and regular commitment to goals that allows them to resist impulses, such as to engage in self-harm. Individuals high in grit also focus on future goals, which may stop them from attempting suicide…Grit alone does not seem to be sufficient, however. Only individuals with high gratitude and grit have decreased suicidal ideation over long periods of time. Gratitude and grit work together to enhance meaning in life, offering protection against death and suicidal thoughts or plans.

Essential to his survival, Mark Watney demonstrated exceptional training and technical expertise that enabled him to hack solutions with the resources on hand. Even more vital, Watney’s personality—unquestioned belief in himself, expressed with humor, positivity, and sheer grit--enabled his triumph over seeming insurmountable odds in enduring four years to an uncertain rescue. To Mark, there was little doubt expressed that he would make it, just simply a solution focused perspective on what to do with the challenges that presented in the course of getting back to Earth. Not even the hab blowing up seemed terminal to him. In viewing The Martian’s epic tale from the perspective of human grit and ingenuity, we could say, Dr. Tyson’s dig handed the author and film-makers, a proposal for a sequel in which we will see how the experience shapes Watney’s life upon return to Earth including eidetic flashbacks of how his former life shaped him to become The Martian.

10 Factors of Resilience (caregiverresilience.com)

Learn more about Resilience and how it can be developed as a personal strength from these resources:

Studies show that there are several factors which develop and sustain a person's resilience:

1. The ability to make realistic plans and being capable of taking the steps necessary to follow through with them. 
2. A positive self-concept and confidence in one’s strengths and abilities. 
3. Communication and problem-solving skills. 
4. The ability to manage strong impulses and feelings

The American Psychological Association suggests "10 Ways to Build Resilience", which are:

1. to maintain good relationships with close family members, friends and others;
2. to avoid seeing crises or stressful events as unbearable problems; 
3. to accept circumstances that cannot be changed; 
4. to develop realistic goals and move towards them; 
5. to take decisive actions in adverse situations; 
6. to look for opportunities of self-discovery after a struggle with loss; 
7. to develop self-confidence; 
8. to keep a long-term perspective and consider the stressful event in a broader context; 
9. to maintain a hopeful outlook, expecting good things and visualizing what is wished; 
10. to take care of one's mind and body, exercising regularly, paying attention to one's own needs and feelings.

The Besht model of natural resilience building in an ideal family with positive access and support from family and friends, through parenting illustrates 4 key markers. They are:

1. Realistic Upbringing. 
2. Effective Risk Communications. 
3. Positivity and Restructuring of demanding situations. 
4. Building Self Efficacy and Hardiness.

Definitions--

1. Self-efficacy:- The belief in one’s ability to organize and execute the courses of action required to achieve necessary and desired goals.  
2. Hardiness:- Hardiness is a composite of interrelated attitudes of commitment, control, and challenge.

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_resilience

Additional resources: 

What is Resilience-PBS
The Road to Resilience APA.org
Key Facts on Resilience Background Definition and Theory