Monthly Archives: July 2011
American Exceptionalism
◄The Exceptionalism of Teenagers and Village Idiots► Teenagers imagine they are exceptional. For instance, psychologists who study teens recognize that teens have a tendency to believe “it can’t happen to me”. The laws of nature apply to everyone, except to … Continue reading
Filed under Bad Ideas, Cultural Traits, Culture, Human Nature, Ideologies, Memes, Political Ideologies, Politics, Society, Values, Village Idiots
Does God Look Like You?
At the moment, there happens to be an invisible, undetectable squirrel in the tree beyond my window. Although the squirrel is undetectable, I have been debating all morning whether it resembles a real squirrel or is more of a spirit. … Continue reading
Marlene Dietrich on Sex in America
“Sex. In America an obsession. In other parts of the world a fact.” – Marlene Dietrich
Filed under Obsession, Quotes, Sexuality, Sexualization, Society
How Black and White Thinking Limits Living
◄Black and White Morals► Do younger people see things in black and white terms more often than older people? A couple days ago, a friend and I were talking about a discussion we’d had with some other folks — folks … Continue reading
Filed under Belief, Free Spirit, Fundamentalism, Happiness, Human Nature, Ideologies, Intelligence(s), Learning, Morals, Quality of Life, Spirituality, Thinking, Values
Why Was Sodom Destroyed?
Your elder sister is Samaria, who lived with her daughters to the north of you; and your younger sister, who lived to the south of you, is Sodom with her daughters. You not only followed their ways, and acted according … Continue reading
Paul Krugman on How the Media is Distorting the Budget Debate
The facts of the crisis over the debt ceiling aren’t complicated. Republicans have, in effect, taken America hostage, threatening to undermine the economy and disrupt the essential business of government unless they get policy concessions they would never have been … Continue reading
Filed under Authoritarianism, Bipartisanship, Budget, Class War, Conservative, Cultural Traits, Democracy, Economic Crisis, Fairness, Ideologies, Intellectual Honesty, Liberal, News and Current Events, Political Ideologies, Politicians and Scoundrels, Politics, Progressive, Quality of Life, Quotes, Society
Accepting Ourselves, Accepting Our Lives
Our entire life — consists ultimately in accepting ourselves as we are. – Jean Anouilh ◄The Death of Self-Esteem► Helen’s face launched 1000 ships, and I used to think that was impressive. But that was before I heard that a … Continue reading
Filed under Abuse, Alienation, Authenticity, Emotions, Ethics, Free Spirit, Health, Human Nature, Love, Meaning, Mental and Emotional Health, Morals, Nature, Oppression, Quality of Life, Relationships, Self, Self Identity, Self Image, Self-Integration, Society, Spirituality, Talents and Skills, Values, Wisdom
Can a Person Who is Alienated from Themselves find Happiness?
Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation. –Oscar Wilde In Artic Dreams, Barry Lopez somewhere talks about an Inuit word for a wise person. The word, if I … Continue reading
Filed under Abuse, Alienation, Angst, Anxiety, Authenticity, Compassion, Courage, Depression, Evolution, Fear, Free Spirit, Health, Human Nature, Kindness, Late Night Thoughts, Mental and Emotional Health, Oppression, Quality of Life, Self, Self Identity, Self Image, Self-Integration, Sexuality, Spiritual Alienation, Spirituality, Teacher, Values
Out of Our Element
Extremely colorful sunsets are rare in this part of Colorado. The mountains begin about ten miles to the West, and the sun usually slips down behind them without doing much to set the clouds on fire. A little color is … Continue reading
Filed under Alienation, Community, Cultural Change, Cultural Traits, Culture, Evolution, Goals, Happiness, Health, Human Nature, Meaning, Play, Purpose, Quality of Life, Society, Spiritual Alienation, Spirituality, Values, Work
Traditional Marriage, Circa: Stone Age.
In many small-scale societies, there’s an institution that looks like marriage, where people “pair bond,” but there’s philandering on the side by both men and women. They’ll often just cycle to another pair bond. It’s not uncommon for hunter gatherers … Continue reading
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You Could Get a Free T-Shirt!
Get entered in July’s Free T-Shirt Giveaway! You still have time! But you need to act soon. Here’s how it works… You write a great comment on any blog post. I pick the comments I like best and enter them … Continue reading →
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Filed under About This Blog, Gifts for Comments