The more you act on feelings at the expense of reason, the worse you’ll feel — later.
Counterproductive
Author Archives: D3 Support
Outcast
Q: Dr. Hurd, how can I combat social anxiety? People think I’m strange and weird. I wonder if people even regard me as a human being. I feel like such an outcast! I always have. Any ideas? A: You really … Continue reading
Spoiled Children
To “spoil” a child does not refer to treating the child well. To spoil someone means to create a sense of entitlement where none exists. To spoil a child means to create and maintain the impression in a child that … Continue reading
Teens and self-respect
When it comes to teenagers, one of the subjects that comes up in my office is interpersonal relationships — especially sex. In a study presented at a meeting of the American Public Health Association (APHA), researchers at the University of … Continue reading
A Little Perspective
“Madame, you could go outside and get run over by a bus and just think what you would have missed!” — Graham Kerr, TVs “Galloping Gourmet” in response to criticism that he cooked with butter and enjoyed wine.
“There Ought to Be A Law…”
Nearly everyone says, about anything they deem unpleasant, “There ought to be a law!” For example: “There ought to be a law requiring people not to use their cell phones while driving.” Will the law be enforced? Does it punish … Continue reading
Just Ask
In life, ask for what you want. Don’t expect it, as if you’re entitled — unless you are entitled (i.e. you paid for it, a contract was signed). Don’t refrain from asking unless there’s a valid reason not to do so. … Continue reading
Undercutting Obama, Pelosi and the Czars
Dear Dr. Hurd, I SO agree with you about the ultimate inversion (See The Daily Dose of Reason 7/17/10). My friends, family and lots of seniors totally agree with doing “something about it” other than attending tea parties, but what?? … Continue reading
How to Not Care About What Others Think
To not care what other people think, you need an alternative. Your emotions are not enough; they’re not really an alternative at all. A strong alternative to what other people think is the notion of objectivity. Objectivity consists of what … Continue reading
“A” for Failure
A school district in Massachusetts is reportedly instituting an “honor roll for effort.” In other words, students who are seen as trying hard get on the honor roll even if their performance is mediocre or they fail. For a school … Continue reading
The “Independent Middle” Has No Ideas
“Cutting spending” — whether in a household or a government — implies value judgments and priorities. Value judgments and priorities imply ideas about what is and is not appropriate for spending. Those who say “we have to cut spending” without … Continue reading
Walk the Walk
I recently wrote an article in my web site column, ‘The Daily Dose of Reason’, entitled ‘I’m So Sorry!’ The two ‘celebrities’ who inspired my commentary were none other than Lindsay Lohan (actress turned professional addict) and Levi Johnston (on-again/off-again … Continue reading