How is it that a generation raised on “Be Yourself” entertainment is so obsessed with conforming to labels? How can we, on one hand, talk so much about how our race, gender and sexuality doesn’t define our potential and value, and then turn around and say without a trace of irony, “Oh, I’m a Cancer, that’s why I’m so emotional”? Why are we so in need of being sorted?
Science
Writers Versus Content Creators
"Content Creator" is this era's greatest Orwellian euphemism, presenting the mindless sputum of the half-literate as 'content' and declaring the banging of one's head against a keyboard as 'creativity.'
You Are Not A Genius
I get that we're worried about self-esteem and people being made to feel bad about themselves, but telling everyone they're special isn't the solution, it's the problem.
The Age of Balance
Human history is the story of finding balance, swinging too far one way and swinging back, always in search of the sweet spot.
Nothing upon another’s word
"Nothing Upon Another's Word" (in the original latin) is the motto of the Royal Society of London, one of the oldest (if not the oldest) organizations dedicated to science. This motto is the essential heart of science.
“Everything You Know Is Wrong”
Move around enough, meet enough strangers, come face-to-face with enough gray-haired 30-year-olds, and you will inevitably be confronted with this confounding "truth": Gravity is a lie. We never landed on the moon. Obama is from Pluto. Jesus wasn't white (nor was he Jewish). Your broccoli isn't organic. There is a certain portion of the population … Continue reading “Everything You Know Is Wrong”
Trivial Pursuits
As I age, I'm dealing with the inevitable realities of diminished mental capacity. Neuroscientists have suggested that our minds peak at 22 and start deteriorating around 27. Based on personal experience, that sounds about right. That's not to say that I'm getting dumber. In fact, there is no age at which we can't still learn … Continue reading Trivial Pursuits
Fundamental Misunderstandings
“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.” ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson
