Back in the 1970s, social psychologist Stanley Milgram published a study that focused on the psychology of obedience. In the study, volunteers were asked to administer shocks to ‘learners’ in an experiment. When the ‘learner’ made an error, the volunteer … Continue reading
‘Oil prices are rising. Health care is too expensive. It’s so unfair! I’m so angry! Obama had better do something about this—and now!’ First of all, we have to get straight what a ‘price’ actually is. There is no such … Continue reading
Q: Dr. Hurd, I wonder why you think it’s a good idea to drastically cut the pay of members of Congress, as you suggested in a recent article? This is an interesting point. I agree that government officials are public … Continue reading
What drives a person to be a Big Government statist? Many motives are possible. One of them is to quiet their internal noise. What’s “internal noise”? This refers to the self-talk a person wants to stop. For example, let’s say … Continue reading
You hear about this syndrome of either gender trying to change something (or a lot of things) about their partner (or even their friend). These attitudes and behaviors show a lack of respect. Deep down, the spouse who’s acting this … Continue reading
I hear it every day: ‘A good marriage requires hard work and compromise.’ ‘The secret of our relationship is’sacrifice.’ Blah, blah. Well, I have a different take on the subject. It’s not that I’m against compromise altogether. Life as a … Continue reading
Jobs growth is now, for the first time in American history, zero. Not a single new job was created in the American economy in the last month. Most people are understandably upset. But how upset is Obama? And how upset … Continue reading
Q: Your post in a recent Daily Dose of Reason (8/31/11 “Bipolar: Valid Label or Excuse?”) is spot on. I have a brother who was diagnosed with this so-called “bipolar disorder.” My father had a massive heart attack last November. … Continue reading
Q: Dr. Hurd, I know you’re very critical of Obama and Republicans as well. What do you favor as policies going forward? A: The overriding goal is to privatize the economy as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. I would … Continue reading
Q: A relative of mine, a young woman of 19, has been diagnosed with ‘bipolar disorder.’ Is this a valid diagnostic label or simply another excuse? [Note: ‘Bipolar Disorder’ is the psychiatric term for mood instability, characterized by vacillations between … Continue reading
The economy is in the tank, and it will keep tanking. Republicans are unable to do anything about it, and Obama is unwilling because his ideology of socialism comes first. Still, he’s favored to win in 2012. Why is this? … Continue reading
Q: Dr. Hurd, in a prior column, 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 to extinguish?’ Could you elaborate? A: … Continue reading