Many people suffer from the false belief that, “These bad things happened in my childhood, and they ruined me.” It’s like saying, “I’m damaged goods.” Actually, no such thing is true — or could be true. The damage from the … Continue reading
A moral person is not someone who follows arbitrary rules or commands. A moral person is not someone who answers to “God.” A moral person is actually someone who “answers” to objective reality, something ascertained and understood through the honest … Continue reading
‘So long as our leaders tell us that we must trust them to regulate and redistribute our way back to prosperity, we will not break out of this economic quagmire,’ says Daniel S. Loeb, a prominent hedge fund manager on … Continue reading
Hi Dr. Hurd: I read your “Daily Dose” column and am getting a kick out of these “excuses” and “toxic euphemisms.” One such excuse I have in mind is that of Borderline Personality Disorder. Translation: “I am a jerk and … Continue reading
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
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
“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
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.
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
‘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
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
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