Afghanistan’s post-occupation political landscape is today characterized by an authoritarian regime with unique ideological features, including the most severe restrictions on the freedoms and human rights of any current dictatorship, particularly for women and girls. A few months after the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops in August 2021, Afghanistan’s ruling party, the Taliban, announced that girls were barred from studying beyond sixth grade — or age 13, about the time when young women can begin to…
Read MoreUnpuzzling the Nature and Nurture of Your Personality Your personality is the core of your self-identity. What do you know about the personality that make you the person you are? The question is simple: who are you? Try answering these questions: From what perspective do you describe the you that is you? Should you reference your job, career goals, passions, loves, grievances, fears, and hopes? How about describing your characteristic behaviors — habits, quirks, sense of humor,…
Read MoreIt matters whether your worldview is convergent or divergent.
Read MoreScience and religion aren’t inherently at odds, but claiming their union is a bed of roses overlooks the thorns. Introduce politics into this already peculiar partnership, and we find ourselves with a whole bush of nettles, guaranteeing a prickly experience for everyone involved. A recent event that occurred in the U.S. State of Alabama has much to tell us about how religion, science, and politics get along in the Land of Conservative Ideology. A ruling…
Read MoreIn a 1964 case brought before the Supreme Court of the United States, a movie theater owner in Ohio showed a French film, “Les Amants” (The Lovers), directed by Louis Malle. Some viewers were offended, so the State of Ohio declared the film obscene. The theater owner was fined $2500. He fought back. The question before the Court was the definition of obscenity. Was the French film shown in Ohio obscene? In response to this question,…
Read MoreIn a skit, comedian Richard Pryor plays a husband whose wife comes home early to find him in bed with another woman. The naked woman grabs her clothes and makes a quick escape. The dialogue ensues: Wife: You’re cheating on me! Husband: I’m not cheating on you. Wife: I saw that woman in bed with you with my own eyes! Husband: Well, who ya gonna believe — me or your lying eyes? Have you ever believed in…
Read MoreWho doesn’t have a bucket list of nagging problems in their life that they wish they could change? These problems can be small and annoying — or large and debilitating. Small problems might be wishes to improve the quality of your life with minor adjustments here or there. You exercise, but not enough. Maybe you’ve been told to cut back on your sugary desserts, but you love your after-dinner carbo-rush. Or maybe, like me, you’ve spent the…
Read MoreA friend of mine is obsessed with physical health and personal growth. He works out daily in a gym, reads the latest self-help books, takes multiple nutritional supplements, and engages in exotic treatments. While visiting his home recently, I noticed on his desk a self-help book by Jill Bolte Taylor, PhD, titled Whole Brain Living (2021). I was surprised I didn’t know this author, so my friend enthusiastically briefed me. Dr. Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-educated neurologist…
Read MoreConspiracy theorists were in a tizzy when Princess Kate disappeared from public for several months. Now that she has confirmed having cancer, the rumor mongers may want to delete their gossipy posts about her. Kate, the Princess of Wales, has announced her diagnosis of cancer, which was identified after her abdominal surgery in January 2024. While British citizens and the rest of the world sympathize with her and her family, Kate has joined a club…
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