Most people with hoarding issues are not living in mile-high piles of junk, like you see on the television shows about hoarding. Nevertheless, hoarding tendencies are somewhat prevalent. The psychology behind hoarding is one of ‘holding on.’ People hold on … Continue reading
Category: Daily Dose of Reason
Why People Hold On To Bad Friends or Lovers
Why do people hold on to dysfunctional relationships? I’m talking about friendship or romance here. The latter is obviously more intense, but I find many of the issues are the same with both. The two most common reasons people hold … Continue reading
How Obamacare Redefines “Health Insurance”
Associated Press reports: Thousands of people with serious medical problems are in danger of losing coverage under President Obama’s healthcare overhaul because of cost overruns, state officials say. At risk is the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, a transition program that’s … Continue reading
The Medicalization of Emotions Has a Price
The way you label things is a reflection of the way you think about things — but also can control the way you think about things. Consider an example. “I have/suffer from depression.” There’s a world of difference between the … Continue reading
The Right to Self-Defense is Deeper than Gun Control
“I’m against guns.” This is the argument generally given for gun control. The implication is: If you’re not in favor of gun control, or of outlawing guns for self-defense, then you’re somehow in favor of killings. The term for this … Continue reading
The DOs and DON’Ts of Dementia
Dear Dr. Hurd: My mother is 91 years old. I left my home in another state to come and care for her but due to a heart attack and a broken hip she is now in a nursing home. I … Continue reading
Original Sin Twenty-First Century Style
We can do better than our present leaders, and nearly everyone seems to understand and sense this fact. But we’re never going to have good leaders in this country unless or until the majority of us question the basic premise … Continue reading
Why There’s No Such Thing as “Freedom of Religion”
Northwest Rankin High School in Flowood, Mississippi is under fire for allegedly forcing its students to attend and listen to Christian lectures during three assemblies held in April alone. Worse yet, students were barred from leaving and teachers blocked the … Continue reading
Bush & Obama: Two of America’s Worst Presidents
Some historians and other commentators are already suggesting that the Bush and Obama presidencies are more alike than different. The Wall Street Journal made this observation recently, among others. Both presidents increased domestic spending drastically. Bush was doing this before … Continue reading
The Internet Tax: One More Effort to Snuff Out Freedom
Currently, there is no sales tax for products and services purchased on the Internet. Proponents of tax increases argue since more and more commerce has transferred from the shopping mall to the Internet, sales taxes should now be imposed on … Continue reading
The Future–and Presence–of an Illusion
Q: Dr. Hurd, in a recent Daily Dose of Reason column at DrHurd.com, you wrote the following: ‘People are the authors of their own destiny, for better or worse. Let’s be honest. Wasn’t it this idea that religion was designed … Continue reading
Is “Greed” Always Irrational?
Some say, ‘Money is the root of all evil.’ Is it better to say, ‘Greed is the root of all evil’? No. Either way you say it, both are wrong. Greed is an emotion. It’s a zest for something, a … Continue reading