Bang the Drum is my metaphor for doing that which makes me happy. Last session, as I was leaving, Psych-girl asked, "How can you get closer to banging on the drum all day?" She's funny that way--using my words to move me in a positive, healthy direction, towards contentment. That gave me something to think … Continue reading Bang the Drum
Tag: higher education
Human Nature: Reboot
This is a repost from May 0f 2001, or 30 months ago. Because I think it's relevant now considering how war has busted out all over. Many people are shocked and can't believe humans could be so violent and cruel. Or I should say, other humans, because they themselves insist they never could behave in such a manner. … Continue reading Human Nature: Reboot
Writing Creatively: A Review
George Saunders wrote a book about "writing, reading, and life", A Swim in a Pond in The Rain (2021). A New York Times best seller. But it shouldn't be. Saunders says as much in his concluding remarks "We End", which is the only chapter you need read. It's only seven pages. The rest of the book is seven … Continue reading Writing Creatively: A Review
Set Yourself Free: Twelve Books to Read on Human Nature
If you've a mind to understand human nature? non-fiction may not be the best way to understand it. Or, for that matter, human behavior in general. Fiction might be more accurate. However, there is some value in science and history - and reading. However, be prepared to endure cancellation from your tribe. Non-fiction books just … Continue reading Set Yourself Free: Twelve Books to Read on Human Nature
Fear, Anger, Riots, & Death
Go deeper. In other words - more reductionism, not less. Back to the beginning. Anger. "We" (humans) don't learn because what we are taught (at the highest levels) is simple rhetorical bullshit. It's a power play. "We" have not "evolved". Not consciously, and especially, unconsciously - in some 40,000 years. Anger is still a secondary … Continue reading Fear, Anger, Riots, & Death
What Happened to Education?
What happened to education? is a great question. Certainly books have been written, and will be written (maybe), regarding answers. My answer is both simple and extremely complex. Survival and greed, in other words: Life at work, or biology on planet earth. My Favorite People are progressives. (see them here and here and here.) However, … Continue reading What Happened to Education?
Krystal Ball is wrong
Krystal Ball is wrong and Donald Trump is right. Stay with me, I'll make this brief. I watch Krystal daily. For three reasons: She and I share a birthday, and thus some general personality traits. Krystal is an attractive, young, expressive, and smart woman. Ball is fun and entertaining (because she is naive?) Ms Ball … Continue reading Krystal Ball is wrong
The biopsycosocial effect
The biopsychosocial model/effect is more important/relevant than ever ... and yet is ignored. In essence, the BPSE attempts to explain why humans (as individuals and collectively) behave the way we do. The model says that there is an interaction between one's biology, psychology, and social environment that determines behavior. (Think Freud.) I agree. I am … Continue reading The biopsycosocial effect
Foke Woke
Foke Woke is a phrase I came up with in a dream state. Meaning the "woke" culture is fake, and made up of folks. Indeed, misguided folks, like Krystal Ball, whom I called out in my previous post. Maybe self love? Krystal and I share the same birthday - the day of "Contentious Conviviality". We … Continue reading Foke Woke
Snowbound, screens, & self care
On the cusp of the New Hampshire primary, here in Colorado I've been snowbound. It has snowed six of the last eight days. Back-in-the-day (forty-nine years ago to the day), such a barrage of snow would not have fazed me. In fact it would have invigorated me. Then, I was living in a cabin in … Continue reading Snowbound, screens, & self care