As the late George Carlin used to say, “It’s all B.S. — and it’s all bad for you.” Such is the state of American culture at this point in time. Readers continue to send in great examples of toxic euphemisms … Continue reading
More Toxic Euphemisms
Category: Daily Dose of Reason
Psychobabble Euphemisms, Contd.
Dear Dr. Hurd: In the Aug. 23 Daily Dose of Reason, you asked us to send in psychobabble euphemisms that we’ve heard, along with our translations. Here’s mine: My ex-therapist: “You’re suffering from childhood trauma.” Translation: “I’ve rooted out a … Continue reading
More Translations into Reality (sent by readers)
“I’m having a bad day.” Translation: “I’m letting everything get to me and I have no power over making myself happy at all!” “He/She makes me so mad!” Translation: “Someone else has that kind of power over how I react … Continue reading
Listen
Always listen to what people DO, not to what they say. If the two are in sync, then you’re fine. If the two conflict, then you’ll know what the truth really is.
With a Truck Coming, Middle of the Road Is No Place to Be
Americans are hopeful that their economy will rebound, in time. Most are still hopeful that Obama and his Washington cohorts will steer or drive that economy towards eventual recovery and prosperity. Frankly, even some Republicans I talk to actually believe … Continue reading
Daily Dose Readers Translations into English
‘Impulse control disorder” Translation: Official sounding: grants permission to steal, gamble, and commit arson because there is a disorder that dismantles the connection between responsibility, thoughts and actions. ‘Full figured’ Translation: fat, overweight. A woman in court to defend herself … Continue reading
Therapy is NOT Medicine
The medical model applied to psychotherapy and counseling fosters the idea that “treatment” and “diagnosis” of one’s “mental conditions” is something that is largely external. Either something or someone is going to cure you and “make” you feel all better. … Continue reading
Translation into English
Those in the self-helping industry love to use language to conceal what they’re really saying. I call this brand of self-help professional the “politician of spirit.” Consider some examples, along with the translations into plain English. e.g. “I suffer from … Continue reading
Thugs in Power
Government does not have the power to make you happy. But it does have the power to make you unhappy. How? Mainly, by interfering with the generally harmonious and, for the most part, rational progress of human civilization that would … Continue reading
Big Brother Won’t Make Them Quit
Government officials plan to stop young people from smoking, since many young people persist in thinking it’s “cool” to smoke. Forcing movie makers to rate movies “R” if any smoking appears, as well as posting anti-smoking warnings prior to a … Continue reading
Success, If You Please
Success does not primarily consist of figuring out what others want. Success doesn’t come from a compulsion to please others. Success comes from a higher than usual desire to please oneself — one’s own highest standards. In the process of … Continue reading
Faulty Thinking Causes Worrying
Worrying doesn’t work. Rational people sometimes worry because they mistakenly view it as thinking, or planning. It isn’t. Worry is indiscriminate thinking. It’s irrational thinking, thinking that leads nowhere. Thinking is profoundly important. It’s the human means of survival and … Continue reading