Just because you’re right doesn’t mean I’m wrong, you just haven’t seen life from my position. — Anonymous Probably the greatest issue facing the world today is the failure to take “the other side’s” perspective. Whether it’s between political parties or religious rivals, siblings or relationship partners, failing to consider another person’s perspective can lead…
Not brute force but only persuasion and faith are kings of this world. — Thomas Carlyle Today’s post is cross-listed with one I wrote for Psychology Today, where I and a social psychology professor, Andy Luttrell, write about people’s strong opinions — why we have them, what they are, and how we can change them….
YouTube comments: The most cogent written argument for why you should never learn how to read. — John Oliver Have you ever wondered why it nearly takes a hazmat suit and CDC clearance to wade into the comments section on a YouTube video? Although you may not expect something like a cat video to trigger…
When a person can’t find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure. — Viktor Frankl Last week, we talked about what it means (scientifically) to lead a meaningful life. And this week, I promised to discuss how (scientifically) to lead a meaningful life. And because one of the ways I find meaning…
Bias and impartiality is in the eye of the beholder. — Samuel Johnson Alcohol-infused parties are rarely good places to confront someone on their socio-political beliefs. But in this real-life example, I had no choice. The young man in the kitchen—spouting beliefs that I wholeheartedly disagreed with—woke this sleeping, glasses-wearing dragon when he exclaimed: “And…
Morality, like art, means drawing a line someplace. — Oscar Wilde Are you a moral person? If you’re like most people (which most people are), you tend to overestimate how ethical you are compared to others. Maybe you’re moral in one situation, but a little immoral in another. Maybe you act ethically around one set…