🎉🍾🎉Happy New Year! 🎉🍾🎉 Auduentes Fortunas Juvat

Audentes Fortuna juvat!

(Fortune comes to the aid of those daring.)

Image credit: Fortune magazine @FortuneMagazine

2018

Happy New Year! 

May fortune come to aid endeavors that matter.

Image Credit: Investors Business Daily

It is a new year, and DeepDish is launching from a new medium.

Yes, DeepDish, will be publishing on Medium 

beginning this month.

We appreciate your patronage and support here on Blogger.

We look forward to continuing to serve your interests

and thank you for your continued patronage.

Our social media pages on Facebook and Twitter will remain.

We will keep you updated here and on Face and Twitter as we make the move.

May 2018 be for us

a year filled with happy feelings, grace, prosperity,

and all challenges be met and accomplished

with dignity and ease.

Engage!

In God We Trust: Harriet Tubman To Be Honored As The Face Of The US $20 Bill

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember,

you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion 

to reach for the stars to change the world.

~Harriet Tubman

Ladies and Gentlemen! Stop. What. You're doing! The news is so fresh, I can scarcely believe it. The Smithsonian Twitter feed retweeted the announcement that United States Treasury Secretary (TSOUS), Jack Lew, presented changes to US currency that will include honoring Harriet Tubman as the face of the $20 bill. Oh. My. God!



Recently found portrait of Harriet Tubman
at the Smithsonian, Washington, DC.
(via Politico)

So overwhelmingly momentous is this historical commendation, I silently screamed, at a loss for words (and composure). All of the major news media outlets confirmed the announcement.

Official portrait of Jacob Joseph "Jack," Lew
Treasury Secretary of the United States
Via Wikipedia

Among changes presented by TSOUS Lew, first Treasury Secretary of the U.S., Alexander Hamilton, who established the U.S. monetary system, will stay on the $10 bill. Harriet Tubman, Abolitionist and Civil Rights activist of the Underground Railroad fame, will be the new face of the $20 bill, while former POTUS Andrew Jackson, will be moved to the alternate side. Historical figures from the Women's Suffragette, and Civil Rights movement will be featured on the alternate face of the $5 bill.

More than pomp and circumstance, TSOUS Lew's changes will offer both history and financial literacy lessons beyond "dead presidents." How did you react to the news of these currency design changes? What are your thoughts about that?

National Poetry Month: Rise

It is, again, #NationalPoetryMonth. 2016, the new year brings with it many hopes, goals, dreams, along with their uncertainties. Uncertainties often point to new learning, what we need to discover, develop, assimilate, even change. New learning results in growth, adaptation. 

Growth and adaptation are simply the triumph of innate resources over environmental conditions with help from enrichment and privileges. Inspired by an image of the lofty redwoods, and all the implications of gravity, our rich Earth, and space travel, here is an untitled poem dedicated to the triumph of nature and humanity. It venerates the strength we derive from superceding the power of what either keeps us grounded or keeps us from transcending.

‎I rise.

Gravity keeps me grounded,

And still I RISE.‎

Strength of the Redwood via dailyword.com

Rooted in the nourishing Earth,
I reach outward, upward,
for that blue,
the sky.

I Am Strong.‎

I stand majestic.

Towering.

Reaching for the stars

And beyond.

I rise.‎
©2016

How has Poetry enriched your life? What lofty ideals has it inspired you to stretch for? Which poets keep you grounded? Which ones stir your soul? 

‎

Love Prudence: Bias of Priene, A Righteous Advocate

When we speak of man, we have a conception of humanity as a whole... Though free to think and act, we are held together, like the stars in the firmament, with ties inseparable. These ties cannot be seen, but we can feel them. I cut myself in the finger, and it pains me: this finger is a part of me. I see a friend hurt, and it hurts me, too: my friend and I are one. And now I see stricken down an enemy, a lump of matter which, of all the lumps of matter in the universe, I care least for, and it still grieves me. Does this not prove that each of us is only part of a whole?"

~Nikola Tesla

In an era when one is quick to be labeled as “negative” or get cited for “attitude” this old man has not made it easy to write a piece on him. A man whose philosophy of life etched in stone is that all men, or most of them, are bad, wicked… Like his fellow sophist Chilon, there is very little to be found about his life in historical accounts. There is a sense of struggle in the unison of sameness in every source surfaced online and in the stacks (library). Most of it reads like a carefully crafted brand statement with no variation of some little anecdote that can provide an insightful peripheral glimpse of this man.

Hoi pleistoi anthropoi kakoi: "most people are evil" (Musei Vaticani)

The idea that mankind is inherently bad, wicked, can so fluff up a benevolent world view it has been a struggle to simply present what is written about Bias in historical accounts. Not so much as to prove Bias' maxim as wrong, but to manage the dissonance it created in how we evaluate one another. Determined and inventive, Deepdish reached across time (figuratively speaking, people, not literally) to seek audience with the man himself, Bias of Priene.

[It is a typical lovely day in the city of Priene.]

DeepDish: So help me here, Bias, sir. You are immortalized as one of the wisest men of the cradle of Western Civilization with the pithy maxim, “Most men are wicked.” Why such a harsh and pessimistic view of your contemporaries? ALL men are bad, or most of them are wicked? That sounds like an overgeneralization with a great amount of distrust? Can you explain or help us understand how you came to that touchstone belief?

Bias: Most people are evil. Naïve men are easily fooled. Cherish wisdom as a means of traveling from youth to old age, for it is more lasting than any other possession.

DeepDish: I’m sorry, Sir. It probably sounded like a precommitment to say the statement was a harsh, pessimistic overgeneralization with a distrustful tone. I’m feeling now this is a cautionary word to not be overly trusting or take things for granted, simply at face value. Am I understanding your view more accurately now?

Bias: Love prudence.

DeepDish: Sir, can you elaborate any more on the statement?

Bias: Surely. Let me introduce you to my daughters. (Bias motions the servant in attendance to fetch whoever he just mentioned. The manservant spirits away to deliver the summons.)

DeepDish: Oh, there’s more than one? I have to reference to a  grandson by means of a daughter, but just that. How many children do you have? 

Bias: Yes, I have a daughter who has borne our family the joy of a handsome boy, my grandson. He is a blessing in my old age. The girls are my adopted daughters or charges if you will. I have raised them as my own family. It is an auspicious occasion, as you know, which brings them back to Priene to visit their old Papa. 

DeepDish: Oh, you’re talking about the ladies who petitioned so eloquently for your award of the fishermen’s discovery, The Brazen Tripod, inscribed “For The Wisest”. 

Bias: Yes, they are the ones. I am proud to see they have grown into the finest young women of their land. It gives me some esteem to know I may have a little to do with that. [Bias looked beamish].

DeepDish: A little! Sir, what I read…what you did for these girls, these women was…is magnanimous. How you persuaded…negotiated for their freedom was incredible. Who knows what might have happened to them if you had not done that? They probably would have been dead from all kinds of abuse or living on the edge of death being sold and resold on the trafficking circuits. By the Gods, they were most fortunate to have landed in your ports first. 

Bias: [seeming deep in thought] Yes, better to gain your point by persuasion, not by force. By Fortunata, their fathers' message arrived before the traffickers reached our land, and I was able to meet their ship at port the moment they arrived.

[Footsteps and chatter in the hallway signalled the party summoned as approaching. The noiseless, competent manservant ushered the young women and their fathers into the room. Taking their place on the divan or chairs close to Bias, they doted on the old man, seeming grateful and glad to be in his presence once again. The men, the girls’ fathers, appeared humbled and gracious.]

Bias: My daughters of the heart, and my dear friends, this traveller of time, DeepDish(?) is here to interview(?)…ah, have discourse with me about the occasion of being awarded the auspicious recognition of the ephoi. It is better to give your own account of how you came to be raised in my household. It might help her understand the nature of our times and why it wise to be prudent in your dealings with men. [The fathers dropped their gaze looking discomfitted, fidgeting in their seats.]

[When the girls, now young women gave their account they spoke as a group along with their fathers, each filling in details of a story that was all too common in the region (gnosis from Uppity Women of Ancient Times). The girls had been taken as prisoners of war. Their fathers sent message to Bias by emissary to reach Priene before the invading ships left port. Bias learning that the ships would dock for trade and resupply in Priene, met them at port the moment their ships sailed in. Fortunately, the traffickers knowing the girls would fetch the most lucre if they remained unblemished, they did not touch them but threatened and intimidated them when they cried and pleaded to be returned to their parents. 

With his legendary powers as an advocate, Bias with an escort of guards obtained from the courts on his just reputation, negotiated the girls to be left in his charge until the ransom was fully met. The pirates were reluctant but were mollified into acceptance with a significant advance payment which Bias offered to ratify the release agreement. The girls' fathers met their obligations as agreed with help from Bias from time to time until they had fully paid the debt and repaid Bias for his advances. When they offered to repay Bias for raising the girls and affording them an education, Bias declined, but instead sent the girls home with the amounts repaid as a trust to ensure they would marry well. 

Upon finishing their story, the women all tearful from their narrowly escaped ordeal, one father took Bias’ hand to his bosom and broke down weeping in full catharsis.]

Bias: [comforting his friend] It is most difficult to bear a change in fortune for the worse with magnanimity, my friend. Never speak too soon, for that shows folly.

DeepDish: [dabbing eyes, and blowing nose discreetly in the delicate embroidered linen kerchief proffered by this phantom of utmost hospitality, the manservant, sniffed.] This must not be the only case…

Bias: this happens more often than not in our times, and not just girls, women, wives, mothers, young boys, men. And it typically happens through predatory assignations, trickery, and sheer lack of regard for human life. Wickedness! Brutes! Barbarians! [The old man grew impassioned as he spoke. The intuitive manservant drew the girl’s father from Bias’ side and by imperceptible gesture signalled the girls and other fathers to accompany him out of the room.] 

DeepDish: [moving to Bias’ side and taking his hand. Wizened with old age, but healthy and strong from the Mediterranean diet, the old man grasped her hand firmly, a mixture of curiosity and kindness in his eyes. The manservant glided back into the room and offered goblets of spring water on a bronze tray.]

Should we finish tomorrow? This was very intense, as it must have been at the town meeting this week. 

Bias: No. I am well. You may proceed. 

DeepDish: Well, after this account and considering everything you have probably encountered in court I certainly can understand now how you might have some reserve with people in general. 

Bias: [gave a wordless nod.]

DeepDish: And by every account it seems you have certainly earned the privilege of the award. By the popular vote the people want you to have this honor, but I learned that you refused it. Why? Why not accept it as a token of the esteem of your fellows.

Bias: It is better to decide a difference between enemies than friends, for one of our friends will certainly become an enemy and one of our enemies a friend. Neither should we praise an undeserving man because of his riches.

DeepDish: Wait. Are you saying the vase is a bribe, something to curry favor to take or turn down a case?

Bias: Choose the course which you adopt with deliberation, and when you have adopted it, then persevere in it with firmness. I have chosen to advocate for those in the right, and those who have been wronged. I cannot compromise this stance or the appearance of independence for vanities. Let us reserve that for the Gods.

DeepDish: [LOL] Whoa…did you just say what I think I heard you say? 

Bias: [With a twinkle in his eyes, and a mischievous smile.] Speak of the Gods as they are.

DeepDish: By the Gods [LOL again] Bias, sir. As we might say in my time, you are something else. And you really did bestow the vase to the Temple. Was it to Apollo or Hercules?

Bias: [still with the mischievous twinkle] Does it matter? What matters is that some, by admiring other men’s virtues, become enemies of their own vices. 

DeepDish: I understand. That’s really slick. Gangsta, as we might say. Your gesture might inspire more humility and selflessness, and also less greed and corruption. That in itself is why you are deserving of the recognition sir. The thing is centuries later and we don’t seem to have gotten that. Maybe we didn’t because someone might have thrown you under the bus…chariot, [switching terms on seeing the old man’s quizzical look at the mention of bus] threw you under the chariot with that off-putting “All men are wicked” brand.

Bias: [nodded to show understanding, a faraway look in his eyes. He motioned the manservant who had been standing there like a motionless statue all the while.] Well, young lady, I hope that clears the understanding for you?

DeepDish: Yes. Yes, it does. Thank you so much for your time. You have been most gracious and as wise as your reputation in history. Rest well. I will remain through tomorrow's proceedings. I don’t want to influence your case, not that I could with you, but I hear it turns out well. [Winking wistfully, not wanting to give any hint that it would be his last trial.]

[The manservant ushered DeepDish out to the waiting chariot.

A great crowd had gathered to hear the case as Bias had gained quite a reputation for winning trials for seeming lost causes. The young women whom he had helped were in attendance with their father, as well as his daughter and grandson. The old man argued eloquently with deliberation and confidence. The proceedings were often interrupted by the populace in attendance and breaks to allow the hungry to purchase food from the attendants walking through the crowds, and bathroom breaks. It seems everything in ancient times could be turned into spectator sport. 

Bias advanced in age seemed more frail as the day wore on, resting in the arms of his grandson between arguments. The advocates for the plaintiff and defense finally rested, and Bias sat, leaning against his grandson, eyes closed. When the judge returned from deliberations, his grandson attempted to awakened him. Thinking he was in a deep sleep, Bias’ grandson motioned for the judge to proceed with the verdict. The judge announced his ruling in favor of Bias’ client. The crowd roared in thunderous cheers and jeers, depending on their favored sides. 

Bias’s grandson noticing the old man had not stirred amid the noise motioned for the everpresent manservant. A hush fell over the crowd, then a sea of murmur as the realization quickly swept the crowd. Bias had tried and won his last case. Weeping broke out in the crowd and word spread that Bias of Priene had died on that day.]

Bias was buried with great pomp in his city. On his shrine was inscribed—

“Beneath this stone lies Bias,

Who was born in the illustrious Prienian land,

The glory of the whole Ionian race.”

Back to present day, our intrepid time traveller sorted through reference notes and inferences from Bias’ interment, writing quotes on notecards, and adding stories to the first draft. One particular story drew a laugh thinking of the old man…”eat onions, indeed.” 

Do you know how Bias had so impressed the King of Persia, and what he meant when he responded to the King's request for audience with the dismissal, "Let him eat onions"?

Note: Direct quotes attributed to Bias are in italics, the rest are creative inferences. Bracketed italics present gnosis derived from cultural and historical sources for context.

Images: http://www.tholos254.gr/projects/priene/en/index.html

Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bias_of_Priene
http://www.livius.org/be-bm/bias/bias_of_priene.html
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=D.%20L.%201.5&lang=original

Happy Thanksgiving Day

Image via theartmad.com

Give 

Thanks. 

Video credit: Alexander Gerst, NASA/ESA

Be 

Happy.

Image via vecteezy.com

Peace abides with us.

National Seafood Month: October 2015

So here I am, a pescatarian, and I posted an entire blog featuring “the other white meat,” pork, because Astronaut Reid Wiseman mentioned sweet and sour pork as a favorite space food in a tweet chat.‎‎  Sycophantic fangirling aside, I feel I might save face with a foodie blog I would actually partake of…SEAFOOD! 

Image via @FDA.gov

Georgia Aquarium's mention of a National Seafood Month offered a great segue and chance at redemption. Seeing their Twitter announcement made me chuckle, a conservation aquarium announcing seafood month. I tweeted how I felt somewhat redeemed for loving the ocean fauna and feeling *cannibalistic* as I might think 'yum' with a Bubba list of recipes comically floating around my head when I view certain types of the ocean inhabitants.

Image via Newsweek.com

Newsweek tormented me for weeks with this article about sustainable fishing. The particular variety of fish, sardines(s) invariably inspired the culinary vision, "light dusting of seasoned flour, flash fry in hot oil to crispy, golden brown and juicy inside, carmelize onions and hot peppers to garnish. Serve with skinny fries, or bread and avocado, or with a brown stew sauce over rice and pigeon peas." this is all visualized in a flash as I resisted the urge to respond and scrolled on by quickly. 

Image via @CaribCookSchool

National Seafood Month (October 2015) excites my culinary and gastronomic fancies.  I'm thinking we could create an East Coast Kai Ryssdal burger with a crispy onion crusted tuna steak, an Astro_Reid Hardwood Grilled Swordfish, a Astro_Alex Red Snapper Ceviche, some CraigyFerg Shark Filets, seafood tom yum, pumpkin risotto topped with crispy calamari, Neil Tyson Bourbon BBQ Salmon with  Harvest Wild Rice medley,  braised red cabbage, Sagal Sea Bass, Chef Jason Howard’s Fish Casserole with Bream (pictured above), Haddock Etouffe, Codruple (bacalaitos/akra, mofongo, pickup with cucumber salad, creole style with roasted sweet potato, dumplings.) 

Image via @gsobsports

And it's football season, so break out the wet naps and let's dig into a seafood fest—Fish-Fry where I’m from: spicy peel & eat broiled shrimp, seafood gumbo (sans sausage,) clam chowder, lobster bisque, garlic crab, conch in lemon butter sauce, grilled clams, mussels cioppino, roasted sardines, crispy assorted fruits de mer. Oh yeah, will need lots of baked and fried potatoes, corn on the cob or sauteed, butter, remoulade, cocktail sauce, slaw, salad, and beverages. Watch out now. Who said chicken and beef ruled the party. Nope. N'at-allll.‎

Image via Twitter

Has this sufficiently whetted your appetite for some seafood? And redeemed me, somewhat, for that unabashed fan-girling post? ‎

Poster via @EatingAtAdelphi

National Seafood Month, however, is about the serious business of sustainable seafood. Eileen Sobek, Assistant Adminstrator for NOAA Fisheries, a division of the U. S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration ushered in the commemoration with this message: 

Our fisheries are among the largest and most sustainable in the world, and all U.S. seafood is responsibly harvested and grown under a strong monitoring, management, and enforcement regime that works to keep the marine environment healthy, fish and shellfish populations thriving, and our seafood industry on the job. 

A steady, sustainable supply of safe, healthy seafood is a critical ingredient to keeping our coastal communities and working waterfronts resilient, both environmentally and economically. And we know that our investments in science-based fisheries management are paying off. In 2013, U.S. fishermen landed 9.9 billion pounds of fish and shellfish worth $5.5 billion—that’s an increase of 245 million pounds and an additional $388 million compared to 2012. And in 2014, the number of U.S. fish stocks rebuilt since 2000 increased to 37. As a result of the combined efforts of NOAA Fisheries, the regional fishery management councils, and all of our partners, the number of stocks listed as subject to overfishing or overfished continues to decline and are at an all-time low.

Read her full message and some of the activitiies of the month here.

Poster via @Seafood4Health

Sustainable fishing encourages healthy eating and living. Geographic exploration of National Seafood Month ‎can stir up cultural roots. Make it a #FishFriday, #SeafoodSaturday, or explore through other cultures like a Moroccan tandoor, Japanese sushi, Spanish ceviche or paella, Jamaican escovitch, Italian cioppino or French bouillabaise, or a favorite Southern (USA) brunch treat--fish and grits (yummy with shrimp too.)  

Image via allposters.com

As child of the sun, native of the islands that form a gateway to the Americas on the Atlantic side, encirling the Caribbean Sea, our delicious fruits de mer are immortalized in song. Before Bubba we had the Caribbean folk musicians like Jamesie and the Happy Seven of the Virgin Islands, as well my native French/British culture, sing odes to the bounties of the sea. Jamesie’s fish market song was (and still is) a great way to teach and learn about the marine biology of the ocean and sea around us.

Scott's Seafood (Sacramento, CA) adds an exotic flair
with plantain, avocado, corn coulis.

At the halfway mark of seafood month, what fishy adventure can you incorporate into your dining and activities. Any fish today? (haha, lyrics from a Frenglish folk song: Poisson, poisson, fait un belle dejeuner...any fish today, madam? (Fish, fish, makes a lovely lunch...any fish today, madam?) Share with us via pic on Twitter @DeepDish_.

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