‘Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.’ True or false? False, according to what now passes for psychiatric expertise. One prominent media psychiatrist (Dr. Keith Ablow of Fox News) even goes so far as … Continue reading
By any objective definition, the budget ‘deal’ that ended the government shutdown was no deal at all. A deal implies concessions by both sides. The basic battle was over Obamacare funding. Obama said the law will be funded 100 percent, … Continue reading
Are envy/jealousy an indication of insecurity? Yes, but not necessarily in the way you might think. At the core, a resentful or envious person has the belief, ‘You can have this but I can’t. And that’s not fair.’ Such a … Continue reading
What is psychological visibility, and how can one nurture it? A reader writes: It deeply affected me to read your recent article on ten tips for well-adjusted children, wherein you stated the goal of childhood is to come out feeling … Continue reading
From a reader: ‘I read your recent Life’s a Beach on ‘Manners—Why Bother?’ with great interest. Why do you think some people acquire manners, while others don’t? Even little things, like returning phone calls or emails, or remembering what someone … Continue reading
Dear Dr Hurd: You have written about Social Security a number of times so I am viewing you as a reliable sounding board on the topic. I have spent some time digging around and using SSA stats and a few … Continue reading
Comments from a reader: I’ve had several good friends tell me that if they’re having a bad day and want to be told what they want to hear, they steer clear of complaining to me. Simply because I’m not going … Continue reading
Fifty-two percent of Republicans say that America needs a third party, according to a newly released Gallup poll. Forty-nine percent of Democrats say the same thing. Actually, that’s not quite right. America does not need a third party; it needs … Continue reading
Does money buy you happiness? No. But money is not irrelevant. Money buys you choices. People are happier when they have more choices. It’s not money itself that makes someone happy; it’s the ability to spend it that liberates one … Continue reading
Barack Obama’s approval rating is down to 37 percent, according to a new AP poll. That puts him at the popularity level of miserably failed Presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush. But a new Gallup poll puts Republicans at … Continue reading
A reader asks: Is it possible to enjoy feeling bad, and if so, what is the psychology behind that phenomenon? There are people who enjoy feeling bad. They won’t usually put it this way, but they do. Actually, I wouldn’t … Continue reading
We keep hearing about the debt ceiling. Fiscal conservatives in the House of Representatives don’t want to raise it, we’re told—basically because they’re heartless and mean. Raising the debt ceiling, to read or watch the news, is the responsible and … Continue reading