Category Archives: Psychology

Steven Pinker, HOW THE MIND WORKS, post 4

Posted on Monday 26 February 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Chapter 8, “The Meaning of Life,” is the last 45 page chapter of this 565 page (counting only text) book. Here he covers matters of human culture, much as Wilson did at the end of his 1978 book. Given that … Continue reading →

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Steven Pinker, HOW THE MIND WORKS, post 3

Posted on Sunday 25 February 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Chapter 7, “Family Values,” about the psychology of social relations, is the longest chapter in the book, and second-to-last. The author begins by recalling that period in the 1960s when activists and folk singers called for peace and understanding, a … Continue reading →

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Steven Pinker, HOW THE MIND WORKS, post 2

Posted on Saturday 24 February 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

The last few chapters are especially rich and fascinating. Here’s Chapter 6, about human emotions. Ch6, Hotheads

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Steven Pinker, HOW THE MIND WORKS, post 1

Posted on Friday 23 February 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

I mentioned this book a few days ago and quoted from it. Now I’ve finished it and will summarize and highlight. As I said earlier, I’ve had this book since it was published in 1997 (I have a first edition, … Continue reading →

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Looking Up Instead of Down

Posted on Monday 19 February 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Two pieces today about how humanity is progressing, in its understanding of the world and in its social progress, rather than regressing, as conservative movements around the world are striving to do. Richard Dawkins on science as a jewel in … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Philosophy, Psychology, Science | Comments Off on Looking Up Instead of Down

Evidence Maximalism, Pluralism, Seasonality

Posted on Friday 16 February 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Charlie Warzel on how everything on the Internet can be taken to support one’s preconceived ideas, given motivated thinking and confirmation bias, amplified by the Internet; David Brooks on pluralism as a solution to democracy’s ills, the opposite of what … Continue reading →

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Catching Up on Items from Facebook, about Conspiracy Theories and Religion

Posted on Wednesday 14 February 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

“If you don’t know how anything works, everything looks like a conspiracy.” The conspiracy theory about Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl, which seems not to have happened, today; Facebook posts about American accents, how the Bible and Quran contain … Continue reading →

Posted in Psychology, Religion | Comments Off on Catching Up on Items from Facebook, about Conspiracy Theories and Religion

Peculiar Trends

Posted on Tuesday 13 February 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Why are Gen Z views splitting by gender? Complex answer; Why are Republicans more likely to suffer hearing loss? Simple answer; Shorter items: Trump doesn’t understand NATO; about that Super Bowl commercial fueled by the Christian right; whether there’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Psychology, Religion | Comments Off on Peculiar Trends

Pushing Back Against Education

Posted on Monday 12 February 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

How nationalist and religious ideologists are against education, example 5,271,009; How Trump has invited Putin to attack American allies; About Biden’s memory, from a neuroscientist; Short items about Nextdoor.com, the Supreme Court, how the Republican problem is metastasizing; How Paul … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Psychology, Religion | Comments Off on Pushing Back Against Education

Another Orion Photo

Posted on Wednesday 31 January 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Plus: The wackadoodle conspiracy theory about Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl; Items about why Trump is blocking the border deal; how Trump would destroy the American-led world order; why Republicans are killing the border deal; and a handy guide … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Conservative Resistance, Politics, Psychology, Website Issues | Comments Off on Another Orion Photo