Life and death matters, maybe. A few days past, in early morning fog, there was a helicopter crash that killed all nine people aboard. One, Kobe Bryant, was a basketball legend. He was only forty-one years old, retired, yet in the prime of his life. The outpouring of shock, grief, and sadness has been unmatched, … Continue reading Life and death matters
Category: Reality
Infinite jest: Impeachment and the Democrat Campaign
Infinite jest: impeachment and the Democrat campaign references the folly I witnessed last week. Specifically the fifth Democrat debate and the impeachment inquiry hearing. Because both events were seemingly never ending and laughable. Yet the participants were grim, dour, and angry. Nevertheless, I was smiling underneath. Most importantly what I witnessed indicates that come next … Continue reading Infinite jest: Impeachment and the Democrat Campaign
Words are manipulated to change behavior
Words are manipulated, that's true. We think via words. Therefore the words waffling around in our brain matter. Words have power. And therefore words are manipulated to change behavior. Where do words come from? At first, that seems like a simple question; but it's not. The answer is complex, especially in today's media driven world. … Continue reading Words are manipulated to change behavior
Simulation, Souls, or Skinner box
Lately I've been thinking about the disturbing, yet also comforting, world we live in. It's dangerous and hostile and unforgiving. The idea that we are nothing but a product of an amoral, evolutionary process - an accident - is too disturbing. Most people believe we are either sinner and saints (souls) or simulations. I disagree. … Continue reading Simulation, Souls, or Skinner box
Living solo, part III
[excerpt from Overcast: The Unauthorized Biography of Sunshine Rodriguez] Pages 136 - 38. Alternatively, if you take that solo hike, or if you live alone, you get no help, or hindrance, with all those troublesome choices. If things go awry you’ve no one to blame. You’ve got to work, clean, cook, talk, shop, and listen only … Continue reading Living solo, part III
Words are manipulated to misrepresent reality
A recent study by researchers at Northwestern University (NWUS) demonstrates how data and words are manipulated to misrepresent reality (what is true) to fit a preconceived notion and agenda. That agenda serves a political and social prejudice (feminist, progressive, postmodern liberalism). This is also known as confirmation bias. Unfortunately, today, this is a common practice … Continue reading Words are manipulated to misrepresent reality
Independent thinking
Independent thinking - if you ask people, most would probably say that that is something they mostly do; but that's likely not the case. How can I say that? Where's the evidence? Well that's the trouble with self reports, polling, even psychological testing. Independent thinking is something one can only surmise by observing and recording … Continue reading Independent thinking
The truth will set you free, or weaponized lying?
What is the truth? My Psych-girl (a third wave behaviorist, clinical Psychologist) is skeptical, not only of "the truth", but especially of my assertion that I've a handle on it. Who decides You sure can't trust the old standard bearers, if you ever could? And now, there's the new media (of which WordPress.com is part) … Continue reading The truth will set you free, or weaponized lying?
Independent thinking, part III
"You don't get to choose not to pay a price, you only get to choose which price you pay" -- Jordan B. Peterson I disagree with Dr. Peterson. Peterson is now a famous, contemporary clinical Psychologist who became an internet/Youtube sensation for speaking out against political correctness and the collapse of truth. Because of that, … Continue reading Independent thinking, part III
Impeachment and patterns of behavior
In a previous essay, Independent thinking, part II, I said, or agreed with, the idea that personality drives behavior; and suggested that personality is determined by factors that just might give Third Wave Behaviorist Psychologists a reason to question the money they invested in their education (half-a-million dollars). But one of many ideas we (3rd … Continue reading Impeachment and patterns of behavior