George Carlin’s “Seven Words” and the Philosophy of Profanity
We’re taught from a young age that certain words are “bad” and others are “acceptable.” But is there really a difference between a swear word…
Perspectives
More Than a Dream: Revisiting John Lennon’s “Imagine” in a Divided America
John Lennon asked us to imagine a world without borders, religion, or greed. But in today’s hyper-polarized climate, why does that vision feel like a…
Understanding Confirmation Bias: Why We See What We Want to See
My grandmother always said that if it rains on the first of the month, it’ll rain for fifteen days. As a kid, I tried to…
The Art of Questioning: Why Common Sense Isn’t Enough
We’re often told that “common sense isn’t so common,” but is it actually enough to navigate the modern world? From confirmation bias to emotional reasoning,…
Knowledge is Power: Why Banned Books are Essential Reading
Why do politicians and billionaires benefit when you stay uninformed? Explore the tension between the comfort of ignorance and the power of knowledge, and discover…
Blind Faith vs. Critical Thinking: Why Tribalism and Belief Shape Our Reality
Is belief a virtue or a vulnerability? While supporting a child or believing in democracy serves a purpose, there is a dangerous line where belief…
This is your Brain on Survival of the Fittest
In a recent post, we examined how the human brain has evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to support the survival of Homo sapiens…
From Hunter-Gatherers to Headaches: The Evolutionary Disconnect
Evolution shaped us – bodies and minds – to survive in a world that we no longer inhabit. For us to thrive in our present…
Just Following Orders
It’s the 16th of March, 1968, and 24-year-old Second Lieutenant William L. Calley Jr. has only been in Vietnam for three months. Hailing from Miami,…
On Abortion and Priorities
I may no longer be Christian, but I live in the so-called ‘Bible Belt’ and many of the people I know and care about are….