North American culture has a tendency to redefine all criticism, external or internal, as 'negativity' -- to the point that, from my observation, organizations will a) fail without realizing it b) fail unnecessarily due to inability to deal with criticism c) define unrealistic goals on the assumption that "I think I can" will get them there.

I think this is worse in California than other places, and infects Silicon Vally the worst.

I think it leads to a 'shotgun approach' where if enough people "try try try" then yes some do succeed spectacularly while everyone else around them crashes and burns. But for people who just want to get things done properly, being on the hurtling train of "YES WE CAN" is frustrating.

Growing up with an immigrant European (German) father, I have a hard time shutting off the critical voice, and it has led to lots of culture conflict for me within workplaces.

I think there is definitely a distinction to be made within oneself between needless and mean negativity and critique, but I think the crucial point is that when the latter is repeatedly ignored, it leads to the former.