John Sevier Austin has one unique quirk: he can speak backwards. At the age of five he was mesmerized by all aspects relating to audio and video technology. John continued to experiment with sounds and eventually fell in love with a couple of songs played backwards. He decided to learn to sing the songs backwards and is now able to repeat any sentence in reverse.
The video uses John’s quirk to highlight a refreshing perspective on principles related to positive psychology and resiliency. Positive psychology is the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals, communities and organizations to thrive. It is grounded in the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within them, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.
Unlike traditional psychology and its focus on pathology and dysfunction, positive psychology promotes acceptance, optimism, and hope. John’s backwards speaking could be mistaken as a dysfunction or something to be embarrassed at rather than a unique quirk that can bring greater meaning or purpose into his life.
For more backwOrds videos, you can visit his channel here.
We hope you enjoy “Reverse Psychology.”
