In nature, some predators are camouflaged to better hunt their prey. The coloration of owls blends in seamlessly with the trees where they perch, watchful for dinner on the ground below. Green snakes blend into the leafy trees of the rainforest, while brown snakes almost disappear in the dirt. Human predators are the same way. […]
Impossible is a State of Mind
The Olympics, which ended on Sunday, were a good reminder that elite athletes routinely perform extreme feats that most of us consider impossible. Sure, their training schedules are intense. But researchers have found that mental state is just as important as physical ability and discipline to extreme athletes. Think about it: today’s runners can beat a […]
Democracy is Out of Date
The American system is crumbling. But the situation isn’t hopeless. Like your old laptop, US systems and institutions simply need to be brought up to date—or, in some cases, replaced. With an entrepreneur’s eye and his Silicon Valley sensibility, former presidential candidate Andrew Yang suggests a host of upgrades for the US government in the […]
Are Americans in Denial?
Bestselling author and psychologist Mary L. Trump is Donald Trump’s niece—and one of his most outspoken critics. In her new book The Reckoning, Ms. Trump examines the societal traumas that have been imprinted on the American psyche. From the history of slavery and racism to her uncle’s presidency, society’s collective forgetting has corrupted the country. It […]
Why You Need to Push Yourself
The human body is constantly evolving. For most of us, modern life has removed the acute stress of threats like predators. Our bodies are no longer optimized for outrunning wooly mammoths. They’re more conditioned for activities like watching TV. When there isn’t an urgent need for survival, our bodies store energy for later use. And […]
You’re Being Watched
Every second of every day, big companies are spying on you (and everyone else). They know where you live, what you purchase, and who you care about. They know your address and your search engine history. And they’re getting better at influencing your behavior, based on what they know about your past. Unfortunately, it will […]
Women Play an Important Role in Christian History
The place of women in religion, and Christianity in particular, has long been a subject of debate. Some traditions, like the contemporary evangelical movement, believe that God made women subservient. But where did that idea originate? Medieval historian Beth Allison Barr says that the idea of “Biblical womanhood” is relatively new. Research shows that evangelicals […]
Trauma Leaves a Mark
Justin was just six years old when his grandmother died. Abandoned by his parents, the child was left to a cruel man who locked him in a cage with five dogs. Eventually, Justin was rescued, but his insensitive and ill-informed doctors weren’t able to treat his behavioral issues. Developmental psychologist Bruce D. Perry was the […]
Grit. Thrift. Merit. Pride.
These are four of the nine attributes you need to succeed in the United States. Let’s consider these characteristics carefully. Grit is the ability to rebuild yourself after you fail. If you work hard and never give up, you’ll be rewarded—eventually. Patience and persistence are key. Thrift is the wise management of resources. Everyone, including […]
Why Your Brain is Working Overtime
Your brain is a top-notch security system, analyzing risks and doing everything it can to keep you safe. From the moment you wake up until you go to sleep at night, your brain makes an infinite number of decisions to protect you. Most of those choices happen beneath the level of awareness, in your subconscious. […]
