Category Archives: psychology

Human Nature

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A Pragmatist is someone who sees true reality and works with it, within the limitations of what is at hand. An Idealist sees the reality of what is, finds it lacking and seeks to change things for the better. In either case, these are all people of action, seeking positive outcomes, though the results they seek may differ, one being of a personal nature the other altruistic.

There are, however, those pragmatists who choose a life path of least resistance as they seek the easiest means of finding a comfortable existence, which might mean overstepping legal and moral imperatives, taking advantage of an open society. And there are those idealists, who, finding society resistant to change, are unable to reach their goals, give up, living out their lives amorally on the social fringes.

Human nature determines the path taken, but success and well-being will require a moral commitment.

Sigmund

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In the late 19th century, Sigmund Freud developed his theories on the nature of the human psyche. The primary motivation for most everyone’s behavior, he determined, was the sex drive. Beginning in early childhood, oral and anal fixations, then phallic and genital fascination defined the libido, the personality and life-force through the id, ego and superego: the realization of desire than tempered with age.

Problems of social adjustment were often caused, he surmised, by suppression of one’s natural sex drive, so, through psychoanalysis, he believed he could cure his troubled patients by making them aware of their latent sexuality.

Certain personality disorders Sigmund traced back to a childhood infatuation with his mother from whom the patient’s sexual inhibitions originated, an illness he labeled an Oedipal Complex after the tragic Greek figure Oedipus who fell in love with his mother and killed his father.

Anecdotally, it turns out Sigmund was his mother’s favorite and while he did produce progeny, it appears his sexual activity was short-lived.

The Avant-Guarde

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It used to be the case, as I remember it, an ambitious artist, seeking recognition, would attempt to stretch the envelope. As an artist in the 60’s and 70’s there was great impetus to go beyond what had been done in the arts, to expand the notion of what art is. Not simply to seek ‘the new’ in itself but to find ways to make meaning unavailable to traditional means of artmaking.

Mid-20th century, recognition in an increasingly competitive art world depended on reaching beyond, developing new techniques, challenge tradition aesthetic values. Success in such endeavor would depend on receiving hostile reviews and negative responses from the art establishment. Whether such art offered meaningful content or was simply exploitive, recognition was the key to success, which was likely to be short-lived, undermined by the eventual critical recognition and acceptance, the critics themselves seeking acknowledgement of their depths of understanding.

It being understood, then, that nothing is truly new even as convoluted explanation fought the inevitable decline of the Avant-Guarde.

Spectral Visions

A Short Chat

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The increasing use of chatbots these days has me wondering if my modest blog might be thought of as AI produced. Careful as I am-using spell-check and avoiding redundancies, not delving into contexts I know nothing about-it seems my short musings ought to be seen as human produce.

To underscore the obvious, the absence of intricate nuance must make it clear, dear reader, this writer is receiving no help from artificial sources. But, maybe, to be certain no doubt exists as to the origin of my modest posts, a convoluted sentence or two ought to verify these texts human touch.

Good enough? Happy reading.

Depression

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I’ve been reading that one in five Americans suffer from depression.  Assuming the depression recognized is significant, requiring medical assistance and or medication, the statistic is dramatic.  Apparently major studies are being made toward treating severe anxiety disorders, PTSD, migraines and other emotionally debilitating illnesses.  

Now, a means has been found to identify and stimulate the part of the brain where the illness occurs and is being proven to be effective.  Dr. Nolan Williams has been most instrumental in devising a means of treatment.  He developed an electronic stimulator that produces a magnetic field aimed at neurons in the targeted spot in the brain creating a rapid intermittent pulse that is found to be effective in producing a remission of clinical depression in most patients. 

As hopeful as this treatment is proving to be, it is not apparently fool proof: Dr. Williams recently took his own life at the age of forty-three. 

Stupidogenics

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VI’ve been reading about the concerns educators are having regarding technology in the classroom. While the distraction of smart phones can be reasonably curtailed, a more insidious issue is the use of AI to manage homework. Chat GPT, for instance, can produce assigned essays without the need for students to hardly think about the topic. In a test study, students who used the AI app were unable to answer questions about what exactly the produced document said.

Apparently, the problem isn’t restricted to the classroom. The business world, too, is in danger of AI relieving businessmen and women of having to think. Executives may use Chat GPT to produce reasoned argument/policies acceptable in the moment but potentially damaging to corporate goals.

So, it appears, using AI bypasses the need for contextual understanding opening the door to belief in conspiracy theory and the acceptance of disinformation for the multitude of users who find in it justification for their chosen narrative.

It would appear that artificial intelligence may be turning us into a stupidogenic society.

Dignity

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I was reading a while ago about the idea that all anyone really wants from life, in terms of one’s existence within a social perspective, is dignity: the knowledge that one is recognized as being of value as a person, not just a member of humankind but someone of intrinsic worth.

I wonder, as we look out upon the people, we see on the street going about their daily tasks: bus riders returning from work, clerks, administrators, colleagues, if we take the time to see them as what they are, if we recognize our common humanity, afford them dignity.

We all are, after all, strugglers, strivers, driven to seek a modicum of success that will provide a sense of security for us and our families. It’s good, I think, to realize sometimes everyone’s in need. Cooperation, compassion, and empathy are things we can all provide and receive.

Love

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There’s something about the word ‘love’ that makes me cringe. Not the word so much as the idea, how it’s used and what it’s intended to mean. It seems, these days, to be overused and without thoughtfulness.

Well, there are different ways to think about it. Erotic love begins with mutual adoration, the two sensing the one of union. Things can turn; conceivably one lover might enter the thralls of so deep a passion, an emotional realm so overwhelming, rational thought will cease, cause unexplainable fluctuations of feeling that may even lead to deep hatred.

When applied to familial affection, extreme emotional fluctuation would appear to be the rule. Children and parents fighting, at each other tooth and nail one instance then enjoying a pleasant togetherness in front of the TV set the next.

Then, there’s the idea of agape; love of God and mankind. It seems to me likely anyone attempting such love will inevitably fall short which, I guess, will reinforce the sinfulness they know they can never escape, which on the positive side will eliminate the sin of pride.

Better, I think, to leave the term alone, not use it, and keep one’s emotions under control.

Blessed by the Holy Father

Preppers and the End Times.

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I’ve been reading, lately about the vast numbers of American preparing for the Apocalypse. Some sources estimate as many as 10% of the US population harbors deep survivalist instincts informing them civilization is teetering, nearing collapse, and preparation need be made for surviving the end times.

Well maybe all these folks don’t foresee ‘End Times’ exactly, maybe the extravagant preparations being made: building bunkers that include gyms, pools, libraries and shooting ranges complete with moats skimmed with flammable liquid, is just a use of expendable income for an insurance policy that will ease the fear our tumultuous times are imposing. But, considering the political craziness that perpetuates an Us vs Them mentality, it’s not hard to imagine ‘The Four Horseman’ ushering in the demise of civilization and there’s plenty of literature that adds believable detail to what an apocalypse will look like.

Time to reread ‘A Canticle for Liebowitz’ offering, as it does, a light at the end of the civilization terminating tunnel in the person of a young child, maybe she’s a GenAlpha who will be able to correct some of our mistakes.

Sister Chloe

Evolutionary Upheaval

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I’ve been thinking lately about the monumental impact the discoveries of Charles Darwin had on the religious communities of the early 20th century.

The early Christian conception of mankind as being created by God in his image were found to be in total contradiction to Darwin’s evolutionary theories. His discoveries of the evolutionary changes to finch populations on the Galapagos Islands as their habitat changed were irrefutable. Subsequent connections realized between humankind and simian populations exacerbated the matter. Christian revivalists preaching ‘Hellfire and Damnation’ condemned evolutionary thinking, creating fury among the conservative religious community.

Still an issue, I guess, for some, but morality as a uniquely human trait that spurs love of neighbor and awareness of a presence beyond the physical should ease the matter, although such understanding does require nuanced thinking.