There’s an old term in psychology called “secondary gain.” I prefer to call it “subjective secondary gain.” This refers to what you’re really getting out of something that is otherwise irrational. Another way I once heard it put was, “How … Continue reading
The “public option” is no option. It’s an attempt to impose government control over every aspect of medical care. And, if enacted, it will succeed at doing just that. He who pays, controls. Haven’t we learned that by now? Nobody … Continue reading
My therapy office is exactly eleven steps from the waiting room. About a minute ago, I found myself standing out there — utterly clueless as to WHY I went in the first place. Whatever my perfectly good reason had been … Continue reading
In any conflict between good and bad, you ought to of course pick the good. In any conflict between bad and bad, you ought not to pick either. Instead, you ought to root for their mutual destruction. All of this … Continue reading
I just wanted to let you know that I read your blog everyday and appreciate the perspective you give on politics, psychology, and other sorts of issues. As a college student, I see first hand a lot of the psychological … Continue reading
“Manipulative” people are ones who lie or imply their motives for doing something are other than what they are. It’s not effective to be manipulative. Manipulation only “works” to the degree that your victim is not paying attention. Yet think … Continue reading
The government has only been able to come up with fewer than half of the Swine flu vaccines it guaranteed to have for the flu season. Its response is to declare a public health emergency so that government officials will … Continue reading
The FCC wants to take ownership of the Internet through something dubious called “net neutrality.” You can be sure that once the government is involved, there will be nothing neutral about it. Obama’s head of the FCC talks about wanting … Continue reading
A website reader writes in: “I’m 64 and disabled. I’ve had two major surgeries to my back and hip performed by the VA in the past two years, and am satisfied with the care, other than purchases of medical ‘supplies’ … Continue reading
America’s foreign policy today is “engagement.” Our policy is to talk to all foreign enemies, including mortal ones, such as the dictatorship of Iran, who threaten our physical safety and that of our allies. “Engagement” is the language of couples … Continue reading
People often ask me if older widowed people should remarry. The obvious answer is yes, of course, if they want to. But sometimes it’s not so easy. Many widows and widowers feel it’s disloyal to their late spouse, and those … Continue reading
Q: I’m an atheist and my family are all true believers. How can I convince them not to believe in God. A: If someone else believes in God and you don’t, you can’t convince them there is no God. This … Continue reading