He was seeing the enormity of the smallness of the enemy who was destroying the world. He felt as if, after a journey of years through a landscape of devastation, past the ruins of great factories, the wrecks of powerful … Continue reading
Category: Daily Dose of Reason
Why Whole Foods CEO John Mackey Was Right to Call Obamacare “Fascist”
Whole Foods co-CEO John Mackey recently backed off his description of Obamacare as ‘fascism.’ Mackey stated, ‘I made a poor word choice to describe our health care system, which I definitely regret. The term fascism today stirs up too much … Continue reading
Listening With a “Third Ear”
‘I’m really worried about you.’ On the surface, it seems like a caring and considerate statement. And sometimes, it possibly is. But a lot of the time, people are annoyed when someone says it to them. They don’t know why … Continue reading
A Dictatorship—If You Can Keep It
The gathering Constitutional storm over Obama’s ‘gun grab’ illustrates the power of principle. We’re constantly told, by both major parties, that principle does not matter. We’re led to believe that practicality consists of ignoring principles and ideology in favor of … Continue reading
The Written Word as Healer
Some object to the idea of therapy or life coaching by email, Internet, Skype or telephone. The basis for the objections is almost always something like this: patients improve most in a strong relationship with a therapist experienced at reading … Continue reading
Why Rage, Not Reason, Governs Support of Gun Control — and All Things Leftist
Psychiatrist Sarah Thompson, M.D., offers some fascinating insight into the rage people who support gun control often display in the face of opposition: It’s obvious that we live in a dangerous society, where criminals attack innocent people. Just about everyone … Continue reading
Education: “The Unfolding of the Human Soul”
The most important thing for a parent to remember is to teach his or her child to think. A reader once wrote me a note in which she elaborated on how she teaches her child to think in all kinds … Continue reading
The Case for Optimism About America
Dear Dr. Hurd: I have been a fan for years — of your website and your books. I read ‘Grow Up America!’ at in college and it was like spiritual fuel for a frustrated and misunderstood young man. I want … Continue reading
The Faux Appeal of Conspiracy Theories
Dear Dr. Hurd: I would be interested, if you would like, to hear your thoughts on how and why people are so drawn to conspiracy theories, and why they react so negatively to being asked for proof. Dr. Hurd’s reply: … Continue reading
A Pet’s Love Is Unconditional, But Human Love Isn’t — Here’s Why
It’s a well-known fact that many people today are intimacy-phobic. Why? The answer is fear. They are afraid that they are going to lose their individual identities in a relationship. They are afraid they are going to be asked — … Continue reading
Dictatorship by Executive Order
We’re told by our rulers that guns must be outlawed, in order to eliminate violence. What they don’t tell us is how taking guns away from nonviolent people will help end the crime of violent people. Criminals, by definition, have … Continue reading
Blaming or Explaining? The Role of Childhood in Adulthood
People sometimes ask: “How much do you blame your parents for your problems in the present, arising from childhood?” All I can reply is: Hold your parents accountable for anything wrong they said or did. But hold yourself accountable for … Continue reading