The Washington Post’s online blog declares: Pope Francis—Time Magazine’s just-declared Person of the Year—is doing something no politician this side of the Atlantic can manage: He’s uniting political adversaries. The Post is referring to the Pope’s recent condemnation of capitalism, … Continue reading
Category: Daily Dose of Reason
Karl Pierson’s Revealing Ideas on Human Nature
Denverpost.com report [12/13/13]: The teenage gunman [Karl Pierson] who entered Arapahoe High School on Friday afternoon and shot two fellow students with a shotgun was outspoken about politics, was a gifted debater and might have been bullied for his beliefs, … Continue reading
Individualism in the Harlem Barbershop
For a fascinating social psychological study, I suggest you view the following video on You Tube: “Guy Brings His White Girl to Barbershop in Harlem.” To summarize, an ABC news team staged an incident where a black hairdresser (played by … Continue reading
School Shootings: From Columbine to “Whatever…”
School shootings are still the exception, and not the norm. Most students go through their days without any violence taking place. At the same time, school shootings have become a normal or routine exception. When we hear about them, we’re … Continue reading
Does Your Relationship “Complete” You? Then Watch Out!
In enmeshment, people feel like their well being is not complete unless they’re meeting their partner’s needs all the time. They worry that their relationship is not “close” if they’re not their partner’s shadow–“if we’re not intertwined emotionally we’re nothing.” … Continue reading
“It’s All About Me”…Know the Type?
“It’s all about him.” “It’s all about her.” You hear people say it. Maybe you’ve said it yourself, about someone you know. “She thinks she’s the Queen.” Or, “He acts like the little prince.” The analogy of arrogant royalty implies … Continue reading
Young People Defy Obamacare
Sometimes dictators miscalculate. Consider the following: More than half of those 18 to 29 years old say they disapprove of Obamacare and half expect it will increase their health-care costs, a survey by Harvard University’s Institute of Politics shows. Four … Continue reading
Mandela: The Marxist Who Couldn’t
The uncritical praise heaped upon the late Nelson Mandela leads one to consider: What actually is a leader? Leaders are sometimes victims. Mandela was certainly a victim. He was unjustly imprisoned for more than two decades by an authoritarian, racist … Continue reading
Thomas Paine’s Warning
A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right. — Thomas Paine (one of America’s founders, author of “Common Sense”) I love this quote. It applies to all forms of human association. … Continue reading
Does Belief in God Make You Smarter? (Part 2 of 2)
Conclusion of yesterday’s column. Other research throughout the years has strongly suggested that most of us do not use nearly the capacity for intelligence that we possess. Those who do use their full intelligence stand out as the great innovators … Continue reading
Does Belief in God Make You Smarter? (Part 1 of 2)
Here’s a recent study that you probably won’t find widely discussed by the media. It would offend too many people: Religious people are less intelligent than non-believers, according to a new review of 63 scientific studies stretching back over decades. … Continue reading
You’re Under Arrest…Just-in-Case
In some states, including my own (Delaware), there is talk among legislators and governors of stopping the next mass shooting before it happens. How? By determining those most likely to commit the crime. “This package of gun safety measures is … Continue reading